Icynene Insulation and Recessed Lights
JoeArchitect
| Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on
Will there be any problems with installation of recessed incandescent or compact fluorescent lights in a ceiling/roof structure which is sprayed with icynene insulation even if the lights have IC housing?
The project is a residential remodel. Existing flat ceiling joists have been removed to create a little more height in the room. The roof joists are being doubled up. The ceiling/roof structure is slightly sloped. The roofing is not being redone. Icynene has been specified because there is no good means to properly vent the 10″ deep ceiling/roof cavity space. This is the best way to take care of any possible condensation above.
Replies
So the foam will be sprayed right around the cans, enclosing them? Or will there be foam mostly above the cans with some air space still around them?
If the entire 10" void will be filled I'd be very careful about selecting the fixture, regardless of it's IC rating. I've have IC cans blink off and on when buried deep in cellulose, even when the fixture trim and lamp were within spec.
Some IC cans have a rectangular sheet-metal box enclosing the cylinder and some don't. I'd get the ones with the box and size them so that you can use a lower wattage lamp than the specs call for, just in case there's a problem.
Ed
Thanks for your input.
Joe,
All of the icynene and polyurethane sites warn against surrounding lights (even IC cans). Here is a link to a How To article in JLC.
http://www.jlconline.com/cgi-local/view.pdf/1a8ee114cea4c996236a4c5459e3d431/www.jlconline.com/cgi-bin/jlconline.storefront/470a913b0016aeb327177f000001059e
Wood is Good
Adam Greisz
Thanks for the link to JLC. I think I need to talk to my client's interior descrator/designer. With the shallow cavity we're better off going back to the wallsconces and standing lamps in the room.
Good choiceWood is Good
Adam Greisz<!----><!----><!---->
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I reread your post and would be concerned with the heat condensing. With only 10" of space try to find short cans. I know that 4-5" lights can be found with IC housings that are 5-5 1/2" tall. Then take caution to mask it in such a way (similar to article from previous post) to leave breathing room mostly on sides. I would also consider the flourescent bulbs. I use them in my house. Takes them a little while to come up to full brightness but they stay cool. Mine are 6" cans so I have not tried to locate flourescent in 4-5" size.
Wood is Good
Adam Greisz