I am planning to put a drop ceiling in our kitchen, and including 4-6 pot lights in the new ceiling. I don’t know a lot about halogen lighting, but recently I have heard that they run very hot, and that they burn out much quicker than conventional lights. I am curious what others have experienced ? Remember that this will be a closed space between the old and new ceilings. I have thought that maybe I would have to cut some vents through the old ceiling into the attic space to prevent heat build-up. Any help would be appreciated.
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I have halogan lights throughout my house. Most of mine are low voltage, but I have 110 also. The "can" should provide adaquate protection. The only issue might be the attic insulation. You should check the specs on the can and make sure it is okay to cover. I have these installed in vaulted cielings where there is little space above the can which is made specifically for vaulted ceilings. I have not experienced any burn out problems other than what one might expect. I have some lights over 10 years old. You might want to check the "garden forum" under the "electrical wiring" section. They have many posts regarding canned lights and halogan. Here is the website:
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/
In my experience, and I assume by burnout you are refering to the lamps, halogens last much longer. One reason why I put them in all my can lights is because the lamps in cans are a pain to change. I did what you describe in my kitchen. Actually I dropped a drywall ceiling (long story) and installed cans. Probally, about 8" between old and new. I assume you are using floods or spots so most of the heat from the lamp is being directed away from the fixture into the room. I don't think heat build-up is a concern. As said before there are IC (insulation contact) rated cans that you can use but if I understand your application these would be unneccessary.
Thanks for your advice--- Yes I was referring to lamp burnout, and Yes I would like the new drywall ceiling to be about 8 " below the existing drywall ceiling. Part of my reasoning is that I have my range on an inside wall, and the vent just dumps into the attic space. The attic would be ugly to work in (low slope roof) , and this would give me an opportunity to run a new vent through the drop ceiling to an exterior wall.
<the vent just dumps into the attic space. The attic would be ugly
I'm sure it is....Jeez what people do...
I used the short 6" cans so that I had a couple of inches between the top of the can and the existing ceiling. The regular size can was too tall.