Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - replacing recessed lights with air-tight

I'd like to replace about 35 recessed lights that are in ceilings adjacent to the attic or cathedral ceilings. They leak a huge amount of air. I'd really like to do all this from below and not work in the attic--of course it's not possible to work on the cathedral ceilings any way other than from below. Not sure what type of fixture or trim to look for. I've seen IC Air-Tight models offered on some sites for remodeling work--is that what I need? Would I be replacing the entire fixture or just the trim ring? If there is a current source of comprehensive info anyone can point me to, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks.

angus

Since your saying they leak a lot of air I'm also thinking that are not even IC rated cans. With non-IC rated cans you must keep insulation 3" away from the can. Many times that top of the can is not covered which is just a big hole in your ceiling.

First see if they are IC rated. If they are, pull the can housing down by removing the three or four 1/4" hex head screws and see what you have for insulation over the can. You may be able to just stuff some fiberglass bats to cover the can to slow the air.

As you may know, IC rated and air tight are two different things. There are also air tight housings and air tight trims. If you do have IC rated cans but they are not air tight, you can make them air tight by installing air tight trims. They will be a totally enclosed trim which you attach the socket to.

You mentioned using remodel cans. That may be another option but since you already have rough-in cans installed, your holes might be too large. You will also have a tough time getting the old can out.

Thanks, Tony. The cans are IC (Elco model EL7IC). The cutouts are 6 inches in diameter. The trim ring and cone are held in place with 2 springs. The trim ring is an Elco ELM30-OV, which is clearly not air tight. The label says it can be used with Elco's ELM300 air tight trim, which, sounds like a much easier and cheaper solution than changing out the cans.

The big question: how much does retrofitting with air tight trim benefit vs. using air tight cans?

We lose a lot of air--and I assume heat--through all these cans which keeps our heat pump running more or less constantly when the temp dips below about 45. Also the whole house humidifier does not add much humidity to the house and it was suggested to me to fix the air leakage before thinking of changing out the humidifier.

Thanks again.

angus

Just a couple more questions.

Is it worth using air tight trim on fixtures that have a heated room above them? Seems like a no-brainer, but I wonder if it's possible that air would bleed out of the space between floors.

Secondly, does anyone make air tight trim for 45-degree sloped ceiling recessed fixtures?

Thanks again.

angus

Your cans are IC rated and that is good. Did you drop one of the can housing to see if there is insulation on top of them? If there is not I would get some fiberglass bats and stuff some through the 6" hole (with the can down) to cover the can. WEAR A MASK! Then reinstall the can.

Getting the air tight trims sounds like a much better option than changing out the cans. You will not get as large as a benefit changing out the ones with a heated space above them but they still should stop air movement. If you can get the trims locally I would start just changing the ones with unheated space above them. While you are changing them look at how the drywall meets the metal ring. A lot of times the rockers do not cut the holes very well and leave quite a large gap. you may want to fill the gaps with some white caulk.

About the 45 degree ceiling, are you looking for an eye ball type one? I have seen people use just the same straight air tight trims on a sloped and they work just fine.

First, Tolyn, let me apologize for calling you "Tony." I must have been in a rush to have missed that.

Thank you again for the excellent advice. I'm going to start replacing the cans below unfinished space first, as you suggest. Kind of surprised that they don't come with some sort of gasket that would seal around the sheet rock. Maybe I could cut something out of foam in case I want to remove them easily for some reason.

I haven't had a chance to get a ladder under any of the sloped cans and they are all inaccessible from above. I'll have to see if the regular trim will fit them

Thanks again!

angus

First, Tolyn, let me apologize for calling you "Tony." I must have been in a rush to have missed that.

No worries, everybody does! :D

Some of the AT gaskets look like a foil sticker that can be stuck to ceiling without removing the housing. I think you just remove the trim ring.

Well, the cans in our sloped ceilings are EL918C and it does not appear that Elco makes air tight trim for them.

Does anyone know if there's any such thing as a 6-inch sloped IC airtight fixture that you can retrofit in a cathedral ceiling from underneath?

Thanks.

angus

Never mind, guys. I found one. Elco's EL918RICA, which I believe is still available. Same size as the one that's already installed, insulation-rated, air-tight and able to be installed from below.

Thanks again.

Just to close this out, I ordered 40 air tight trim pieces for flat ceiling fixtures and 14 sloped air-tight IC cans from a wholesaler.

Really appreciate the feedback.

On to the next project.

angus