Today, Most homes use LED recessed lighting. Proper installation can provide excellent ambiance and lighting performance to each of your rooms. Choosing the right recessed lighting fixtures, such as LED downlights, is also a key factor.
Most homeowners install recessed lighting on their own. The basic tools are required for fixture installation, but the installation process is very important.
We will guide you on installing LED recessed lighting, also referred to as pot, high hat lights, or cans. For homes that are remodeling, you need to choose old or remodeled work cans. They are available in various sizes so you have numerous options to choose from.
You should only consider cans or recessed lights that are IC rated, which means that the lights are safe to use against insulation. LED lights produce little heat, but Non-IC rated cans produce higher heat when using fluorescent or incandescent bulbs.
Required Tools For LED Recessed Lighting Installation
- Dry Wall Saw
- Tape Measure
- Stud Finder
- Wire Strippers
- Dimmer Switch
- Wire Caps
- Wire – Gauge and length depend on your code and project.
- Flex Drill Bit – depends on your installation.
- Recessed Lighting Fixtures – such as LED recessed downlights
These are the recommended tools and accessories which are highly recommended for the installation of the recessed lights.
Follow these 5 steps to install LED recessed lighting.
1. Finalize how to set up recessed lighting
The essential part of the process is to plan a layout for the recessed lighting installation project. Measuring and planning help in precise installation.
Once you figure out your recessed light layout, use a tiny piece of tape to mark one spot on the ceiling.
Locate the ceiling joists by stud finder. Now, find out whether the initial fixture placements need to be shifted a little to balance the stud locations. You’ll need to have a room for the whole diameter of the lighting fixture or at least one more inch of the span between the stud and the fixture. If you have the requirement to move one over some inches, then slightly move others, so they all look evenly spaced from each other.
Each permanent mark should be marked at the center of each of the LED recessed lighting.
2. Make a Wiring Plan
This is the second most essential part of the planning, which you mainly thought about before marking the ceiling. Here are a few things you should think about.
Locating power source – Whether you have even track lighting or any existing fixture in your ceiling. You just need to patch into that place where your existing fixture is located. From there, run your wires, and then cap that can for safety. This is the most common scenario.
Is it possible to access the ceiling from your loft? If yes, running your wires and installation will be much easier and quicker.
If it is impossible to access the ceiling from your loft, then the only way is to fish wires from one recessed light can to the next. This is gonna be the toughest part of the LED recessed lighting installation process. Plan to run wires parallel to the ceiling joists for less obstruction as you know where your studs are.
At some level, you will have to cross over some ceiling joists. So, again, choose the way of least resistance and make a plan for your wiring.
3. Slice the Recessed Lighting Holes
Make your cuts at your marked spots. Recessed lights come with a paper template to help in cutting the hole. First, place the template’s center to the mark’s center. Then, use a pencil or a marker to trace the template’s outer edges.
Make a large enough hole to your center mark to reach the point of your drywall hole saw. Then poke it through your drywall saw by hitting the back with your palm. Now, you will see the edge of the circle you made, and then cut out your circle carefully.
4. Run the recessed light’s wires
Cut the power of your existing lighting in the ceiling and remove it. The same wire will be attached to the new wire that will connect to your recessed light, so take care of that wire coming from the existing lighting fixture.
Run your wires and leave them dangling about 1 foot below the holes before connecting a wire to the power source or fixture. This will provide you with sufficient space to work with the lighting fixture and connect the wires.
5. Install the Recessed Lights
It may be difficult to hold the lighting fixture while connecting the wires. Open the compartment to expose its wires, so all you have to do is push the first wire tight to hold the fixture’s weight. Then push the other wires and move into the next light fixture. Make sure to avoid pushing the fixture until all the wires are connected.
Splice the new wires to the power source in the ceiling once the lighting has been attached. Then if you think that the connection is made, turn the power on and switch the light.
Conclusion
These steps can guide you in the recessed lights installation process. But you need to be careful as the work is quite complicated. For safety purposes, Put back all the wires in the ceiling after connection. You can install LED recessed lighting on your own, still, if you need any help, follow this guide or contact professionals for recessed lighting installation.
Ensenior 4 Inch Ultra-Thin LED Recessed Ceiling Light with Junction Box – 12 Pack
The canless LED recessed light is perfect for those who have limited ceiling space. It only requires 2″ of depth, and its IC rated means it has protection against contact with insulation in your ceilings, meaning the junction box will stay cool even during hot summer days! This sleek design also allows you more options when installing these lights- there’s no limit on what type or size jo ists can be used since they’re completely open underneath, so any size lumber is fine, too (just make sure not to miss out).
The new generation of LED chips is faster and produces more light than ever before. The 4″ slim lights use these high-quality pieces to give you a brighter glow, with an average lifespan that lasts up to 75W Incandescent lamps! This means savings on energy costs of 88%.
Amico 6 Inch 3CCT Ultra-Thin LED Recessed Ceiling Light with Junction Box – 12 Pack
It’s no need to worry about what color temperature you buy from the get-go. You can choose between 3000K, 4000k, 5000 K, or three different temperatures that are perfect for any situation!
The junction box of Amico’s canless LED recessed light is thermally insulated because it is IC rated, which means it can be in touch with ceiling insulation. It simply requires 2-inch ceiling spacing and fits a variety of ceilings and joists. It won’t catch fire in the roof or the joist space above it.
Sunco Lighting 6 Inch Ultra Thin LED Recessed Ceiling Lights Slim – 24 Pack
Slim downlights from Sunco are IC certified, which means they’re thermally protected and won’t overheat or burn insulation in the roof or overhead joist area. In addition, direct contact with ceiling insulation is safe for both the lamp and its connection box.
Our damp-rated LED Slim Downlights have a connection box, eliminating the need for a can. This 6-inch Wafer Thin Slim goes together quickly. First, cut a hole in the ceiling to the desired size, then fold the spring-loaded brackets into the hole while pushing up. Spring-loaded brackets are suitable for ceilings, including double drywall, single drywall, and soffit.
TORCHSTAR Basic Series 12W 6 Inch LED Recessed Lighting with Junction Box – 12-Pack
This low-profile LED recessed ceiling light with high brightness only requires 2 inches of clearance, making it ideal for tight ceilings where a housing can isn’t possible.
This Energy Star certified small light uses only 12-watts of power while generating 1000lm of brightness, equivalent to a 100-watt incandescent lamp. In addition, it has an anti-glare and scratch-resistant frosted LED lens. During its 54,000-hour lifespan, this switch saves you $6,273 per set.
hykolity 5/6 Inch LED Recessed Lighting, Baffle Trim, CRI90, 15W=100W, 1100lm, 5000K Daylight – 12 Pack
100W INCANDESCENT Similar SHINE – LED recessed lighting 6 inches produces 1100 lumens, equivalent to a 100W incandescent light bulb, saving you up to 80% on your electric expenditure.
Inside your house, 90 CRI technology produces near-sunlight quality light for genuine color rendering and constancy. This LED retrofit downlight uses maintenance-free, energy-efficient LEDs with a 50,000-hour life span (equivalent to 22 years of life at 6 hours per day or 45 years at 3 hours per day).
Luxrite 5/6 Inch LED Recessed Retrofit Downlight, 14W=90W
You’re not sure what color temperature recessed lighting you need in your home? A simple switch on the back of each 5 / 6 inch dimmable LED downlight allows you to alter the color temperature to 2700K warm white, 3000K soft white, 3500K natural white, 4000K cool white, or 5000K bright white. Your home ceiling can will be adjusted through five different color temperatures until you discover the ideal illumination for your room.
Amico 4 Inch 5CCT Ultra-Thin LED Recessed Ceiling Light with Junction Box – 6 Pack
5 CCT: 2700K, 3000K, 4000K, 5000K, 6000K, 5 color temperature selectable, removes the inconvenience of returning or exchanging products due to incorrect color temperature.
The junction box of Amico’s canless LED recessed light is thermally insulated because it is IC rated, which means it can be in touch with ceiling insulation. It simply requires 2-inch ceiling spacing and fits a variety of ceilings and joists. As a result, it won’t catch fire in the roof or the joist space above it.
Sunco Lighting 5/6 Inch LED Can Lights Retrofit Recessed Lighting
Dimming capabilities (100 percent -10 percent) that may be adjusted to fit any mood or decor. Our baffle trim recessed lighting fixtures are ready to use immediately and require no warm-up time. Easily alter the size to fit recessed can housings with 5″ or 6″ diameter.
For a quick and simple setup, follow our installation guide. It’s okay to use it in a wet environment. Install a direct-to-ceiling retrofit fixture in an existing recessed can for bright lighting in your kitchen, family room, bedroom, bathroom, and other common spaces in your home or office.
Sunco Lighting 5/6″ LED Disk Lights Flush Mount Ceiling Light Fixture Recessed – 48 Pack
Dimming capabilities (100 percent -10 percent) that may be adjusted to fit any mood or decor. For realistic color representation, our slim LED Disk recessed lights to give sunlight-like quality (CRI90+). Bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms, closets, corridors, and workplaces are all good options.
Convert to LED with Sunco and save up to 85% on your energy bills right away! With a 50,000-hour lifespan, Sunco’s LED recessed lights to outlast standard bulbs (halogen, incandescent, fluorescent) and help you save money on maintenance.
Senior 6 Inch Ultra-Thin, LED Recessed Ceiling Light with Junction Box – 6 Pack
This canless LED recessed light is IC rated, which means the junction box is thermally shielded and can be in touch with ceiling insulation. It simply requires 2-inch ceiling spacing and fits a variety of ceilings and joists. The presence of a recessed can no longer limit your options.
The new generation of LED chips with better lumens and lower power are used in the 6-inch skinny lights. The 1050LM uses 12 watts of power, equivalent to a 110-watt incandescent bulb, saving you up to 88 percent on energy costs. Anti-glare and scratch-resistant frosted LED lens.