Proper Clearance When Installing Recessed Lighting
Adding recessed lighting to a room can increase its appeal. It can be used for general or task lighting, or to focus light on a piece of art. However, rather than putting them anywhere you want, you have to place them properly in the ceiling to avoid overheating, which could cause a fire.
Vertical Clearance
Have at least 8 inches of clearance above the ceiling joists. If there isn't enough room purchase lights with low profile housings. This gives plenty of room to working during installation and it allows the heat to dissipate before getting to the roof.
Joist and Flammables Clearance
The housings need to be at least 1 inch away from the ceiling joists or anything flammable. The light bulbs can get very hot, and that heat transfers to the housing.
Insulation Clearance
Recessed light housings can be rated IC (Insulation Contact) or non-IC. Housings that are non-IC rated need to have any ceiling insulation at least 3 inches away from the housing. IC-rated housings are insulated and designed to be used in insulated ceilings. Many IC rated housings have lower maximum bulb wattages than non-IC housings.
Wiring Considerations
When figuring out how many lights to put on an individual switch, ensure the total power is not more than the switch can handle. Use multiple switches if necessary.
All new recessed lighting fixtures have thermal switches to shut off power to the lamp if the temperature gets too high. This is a nice safety feature, but still follow all of the installation instructions and guidelines.
The housing is only part of the equation. Make sure that the wiring is the ceiling is rated to be used in your situation.
Airtight Housings
Some recessed lighting fixtures have an airtight or double-wall fixture. These fixtures are sealed so that air will not leak into the attic. According to a test done by the Pennsylvania Housing Research/Resource Center, airtight housings can cut air leakage from 30 cubic feet per minute down to 2 cubic feet per minute. This can save $5.00 to $30.00 per year per light. Because of the extra housing needed on the lights to seal them, these fixtures are larger and may require more space for installation.
Airtight and double-wall housings still need to be IC-rated if they will be in contact with insulation.
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