QA

Quick Answer: How To Install Canned Lighting

Can I install recessed lighting myself?

If you have a nearby power source, you can easily install recessed lights by yourself. Bringing in a power source adds some time to the project, but this can be accomplished by wiring your own circuit or hiring an electrician.

Do you need an electrician to install recessed lighting?

Yes, you need (sic) to hire a licensed electrican to install recessed lights in a ceiling. Yes, a person with good knowledge and experience in electrical work is able to preform the work.

Is recessed lighting hard to install?

It is more difficult to install recessed lights than traditional types. The process involves a lot of cutting out holes that are of the same size. Putting them in the ceiling can be even more challenging than working along a wall.

How do you install recessed lighting in light fixture?

Instructions Open the Fixture and Test for Power. Remove the dome or shade on the ceiling light, then remove all light bulbs. Remove the Fixture. Cut Out the Fixture Hole. Remove the Old Box. Connect the Circuit Cable. Connect the Fixture Wires. Install the Recessed Fixture. Turn On the Power.

Is recessed lighting outdated?

The one reason why recessed lighting is timeless because they offer the flexibility to change the finishes later. You have a can in your ceiling that stays forever. However, the finish may become outdated and can be purchased in different colors and styles to suit your needs. You can change them as often as you like.

Why is recessed lighting bad?

Used properly, recessed lights are sleek, unobtrusive fixtures that can be good problem-solvers. Used improperly, they can waste electricity, provide poor lighting and cause your heating and cooling bills to go up. Kitchens are common places where recessed lighting fixtures are used.

How much does it cost for an electrician to install recessed lighting?

The cost for an electrician to install recessed can or canless LED lights will generally be between $200 and $250 per fixture. Professionals charge at a rate of $85 to $105 per hour and each installation takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours.

How much does it cost to have canned lights installed?

Expect to pay between $100 to $480 per fixture, or $360 on average, when having recessed lighting installed by a pro. At the average price, the project runs about $2,160 for six fixtures. The total varies depending on the type of housing, trim, and bulbs you select.

Where should recessed lights be placed in living room?

Living Room To achieve the best effect, place the lights two to three feet away from the walls. Cons: Spacing is important to make any room look its best with recessed lighting. If the ceiling in your room is too small to allow the correct spacing, consider using a chandelier or table and accent lamps instead.

How much does it cost to install 6 can lights?

$700 – $1,650 total to install 6 can lights. The average cost to install recessed lighting is $125 to $300 per downlight in an existing ceiling. LED recessed lighting costs $10 more per pot light to install.

What type of wire is used for recessed lighting?

State or city electrical codes may require a specific type and/or gauge of wire to safely install recessed lighting fixtures. The electrician will know these requirements. Typically, a 12-gauge cable with two insulated conductor wires and a ground wire are used.

Can I daisy chain recessed lights?

Remember that you must run one ultra-thin extension cable (or run of low voltage wire) for each light. You can not daisy chain multiple lights together. Run your electrical wire from the switch/dimmer location to each driver.

How many recessed lights can be on a circuit?

The main limitation to the number of recessed fixtures you can run at the same time is the rating of the circuit breaker that controls the circuit. Each fixture with a 60-watt incandescent or halogen bulb draws about 1/2 amp, so a 15-amp breaker for a standard lighting circuit would be able to handle 30 of them.

Can you use 12 2 wire recessed lighting?

Yes, it is okay to use 12-2 cable to supply lighting fixtures. The other answer indicates that it even with 12-2 you have to use a 15A breaker for lighting circuits which is not strictly correct. If the entire circuit is 12AWG (other than fixture wires), then a 20A breaker may be used.

Should recessed lights be wired in series or parallel?

Parallel. White to white, black to black throughout. If you wire them in series, you will only get a dim glow based on the number of units you wire in.

Do you need a junction box for a ceiling light?

If you’re wondering how you install a light fixture without an electrical box, the short answer is that you don’t. You can’t install a light fixture without a junction box, but the fact that there’s no box at the spot where you want to install the light doesn’t mean you can’t install the light.

Can recessed lights be installed in a drop ceiling?

Recessed lighting looks great in any room, and it is an especially good fit for a space with drop ceilings, such as a basement. Recessed lights look sleek and illuminate brightly without sacrificing any headroom.

What kind of lights go in a drop ceiling?

There are two types of drop ceiling lights: recessed fluorescent and LED troffer lights.

What kind of lights can you put in a drop ceiling?

Incandescent recessed lighting puts off too much heat to be safely mounted in most drop ceilings, but halogen and compact fluorescent bulbs will be safe, says Armstrong’s lighting website. The metal canister for the light must be supported by a wooden frame placed above the metal grid that holds the ceiling tiles.

How do recessed light clips work?

When you press the clips into place, the clip will move first upward and then downward to form a leg. Four of these springy legs combine to hold the light in place against the ceiling drywall.

Can light vs recessed light?

Recessed lights, also known as can lights, are described as metal light housings installed in the ceiling for a sleek look that gives you back your ceiling.

What can I use instead of recessed lights?

As an alternative to recessed lights, ceiling flush mounts offer decorative ambient lighting in a kitchen. Similar to flush-mounted ceiling lights are ceiling semi-flush lights, which project up to 18 inches from the ceiling.

How far should recessed lights be from cabinets?

So, how far should you space your lights from your cabinet? In order to ensure that you get the best possible illumination from recessed lighting, you will need to put standard recessed lights 12 inches apart from one another, and a minimum of 12 inches away from your cabinet.

Where should recessed lights be placed in kitchen?

The best recessed-light location is 24 inches from the wall, directly above the countertop edge. Light levels dropped dramatically when the cans were located farther away.