Losing energy efficiency with RECESSED LIGHTING ??

There are PLENTY of IC (insulation contact) rated 6" lighting cans on the market and they really aren't that much more expensive.  They are available in both new construction and remodel types of cans.  However, for the smaller cans (3-5"), most of the IC rated cans are the new construction types only.

Also, to increase efficiency beyond having an IC rated can, you can buy IC rated cans that are also sealed and "air tight".  That's what I just bought. They can be installed right next to your insulation and are themselves sealed.

Commercial Electric H4 cans are the one's to buy...I think they were $9/can instead of $6.  Not exactly a big deal.  Halo brand has these also, but I don't know the model #.

You can increase the insulating properties of the cans even more by buying the Commercial Electric T49 baffle trims to go with the IC rated air tight cans.  They have rubber gaskets and are also air tight.  So you have two layers of "air tight" now along with cans that can be in contact with your insulation.  And it doesn't cost that much more -- unless you're needing to buy 50+ cans of something.

Moral...for a just a bit more money, you can do Eco-friendly recessed lighting without a problem.  I think I spent a total of $170 on 8 air-tight IC rated cans with baffles and a 50' spool of 12 gauge Romex wire.  I probably spent only $40 more than I would have if I bought the cheap, non-IC, non-air tight ones.  Big deal. ;-)

Actually more money is wasted on using an incandescent recessed light than the energy lost from the lack of insulation.  Incandescent lighting shoulld, and eventually will, go away for ever.  The technology is very old and outdated.  The output vs. wattage is poor compared to newer technologies.  That being said...no home owner or other should ever us a light that is not I.C. rated (meaning "in-contact") or A.T. rated (meaning "air tight").  The low quality lights purchased at mass marketing retailers are not a good example, lighting distributors or wholesalers have much better product than box stores.  I prefer "Juno", "DMF","Lightolier" and many, many other brands rather than cheapo "HALO's".  Product does make a difference and unless serious homework is doen it is like comparing apples to oranges.  A truly good installation of anything recessed also includes some sort of sealing or caulking at the edges.  But all other things aside, go for fluorescent or better yet L.E.D. lighting, also don't put larger incandescent bulbs in your fixtures than what-ever the manufacturer recomended.  My two cents.

Alan Fortin-BSEE

Ca Lic C-10  650521