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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.
Can you put recessed lights in an existing ceiling?
Thinking about adding recessed lights or pot lights but don’t want to tear out your whole ceiling to do it? Luckily you don’t have to. With a little ingenuity and special remodeling housings, you can install a roomful of recessed lights or canister lights with minimal drywall tear-out and patching.
Do I 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.
How hard is it to add recessed lighting?
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.
What is the difference between can lights and recessed lights?
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.
How much should it cost to have recessed lighting installed?
Recessed Lighting Cost 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.
Is recessed lighting outdated?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 However, the finish may become outdated and can be purchased in different colors and styles to suit your needs.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.
Does adding recessed lighting add value to a house?
Does recessed lighting add home value? Recessed lighting can absolutely add home value of you take the time to place them correctly and use the right light temperature for the room. There are also ways to make recessed lighting more energy efficient which is not a bad additional benefit.
How far apart should recessed lights be?
A good general rule for placement is to divide the height of the ceiling by two. The result is the amount of space to leave between each light. For example, recessed lighting spacing for an 8-foot-high ceiling would be 4 feet between each light. This will provide good spacing for general room lighting.
Does recessed lighting use more electricity?
Recessed lighting does use more electricity. The amount of electricity (kWh) consumed by recessed lighting is up to 90 kWh per day which is 2,700 kWh per month. This is in reference to recessed lighting with fluorescent lightbulbs. Typical electrical costs differ depending on where you live.
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 many recessed lights can you put on one switch?
The main limitation on the number of recessed lights that a single switch can control is the rating of the circuit breaker controlling the circuit. Each incandescent or halogen 60-watt bulb draws around 1/2 amp, and therefore, standard lighting with a 15amp breaker can manage 30 lights.
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 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 downlights need a transformer?
Bulbs intended for use in wet zones (such as downlights in a bathroom) must be IP rated for such use. This means that each sealed bulb will contain a driver, with no external transformer required.
How do you set downlights?
Try to avoid creating any shadows. Then space your downlights evenly across the room for a balanced look. As a rule of thumb, we suggest you divide your ceiling height by 2 to give you the space required between each downlight. For example if your ceiling is 8 foot high, then position your lights 4 feet apart.
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 many LED recessed lights in a room?
Measure your room to see how many fixtures you will need. A common rule of thumb is that you use one recessed light for every 4 to 6 square feet of ceiling space. Doing so provides even, overall illumination.
When should recessed lighting be used?
Recessed lights have a low profile, making them the ideal choice for low ceilings, such as basements or attics, where a protruding light fixture might be unsuitable low. Recessed lights are also ideal for areas where waterproof fixtures are needed.
What size recessed light for 8ft ceiling?
When spacing recessed lights, use this general rule of thumb: divide the height of the ceiling by two to get the distance the lights should be from one another. For example, an 8-foot tall ceiling should have recessed lights spaced 4-feet apart.
