reinsulating bad can light install
I decided to upgrade the attic insulation in my new (to me) house. However, since I started poking around, I’ve discovered that the builder used non-IC can lights in the main room, but blew fiberglass right over them. As a result the lights flicker as their thermostats cycle. Also, the cans seem to leak a lot of cold air.
I’ve temporarily cooled things off by switching all the bulbs to compact flourescents, which I would have done anyway, but I still hate the fixtures. They have black baffles and lame reflectors, so I doubt more than 1 lumen out of 2 actually reaches the room. However, replacing them all would be a major pain as there are 15, all with attic access but hidden in soffits among scissors trusses.
Presumably I can replace the baffles, so I’d really just like to seal up the existing fixtures, get the insulation off them, and blow more fiberglass in. I thought about making boxes out of rigid foam, buckets, or drywall (with the required 3″ clearance). Then I saw these: http://www.aboutsavingheat.com/coupon.html – seems like they’d solve the contact problem but not air infiltration, unless glued down.
I’ve also considered foaming the underside of the roof deck to enclose the whole space, but I think it would be a pain, and I’m not sure about the implications for the temperature on the asphalt roof.
So, my questions:
– are there other ready-made products for enclosing non-IC can fixtures?
– are there retrofit options that move the lamp, and thus the heat, outside the can so you don’t have to worry about insulation contact?
Thanks!
Tom
Replies
If you can get to the cans to put those on, you can replace them with sealed I/C cans for a lot less than $25 or $30 JMHO
Bud
I looked them up - you're right. I didn't realize the fixtures were so cheap. The labor would still be an issue - I hate crawling around through insulation and trusses. $30 seems sort of silly for the insulation hats - I'd count on making my own for $5. However, sealing in the old fixture, even observing the clearances, strikes me as potentially less than risk free.The other retrofit option is a pendant conversion like this
http://www.worthhomeproducts.com/index.asp?page=lightTom
I dont think hats/boxes are necessary. Just move the insulation away from the cans. To seal em, use ordinary clear silcone caulk. Its good to 400º. Or use aluminum duct tape(the good stuff). The heat loss from moving the insulation is minor in the grand scheme of things...
Again JMHO...(with that and $10 you can get a cuppa coffee)
Bud
look at hd,they have a insert that seals the air leaks,seems like there 10 bucks or so but would be easy to install.then new baffles,cfl's and your ready to go.
before i spent 30.00 i'd get some 5 gal paint cans and use them. larry
if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
Edited 11/11/2007 10:36 pm by alwaysoverbudget