Only caulk recessed fixtures to the ceiling if the trim ring doesn t have to be removed to change the bulb.
How to seal recessed lights in attic.
Press the trim ring into the caulking.
Apply the sealant around the cable and along the edge of the cover where it rests on the ceiling.
You can stem the flow of air and money by air sealing your light fixtures from the inside with just a roll of painter s tape a can of spray foam insulation and a tube of painter s caulk.
Recessed can lights no easy solution cut a 6 in.
This video from green homes america provides a good overview of the air leakage issue with recessed lights and shows an actual top hat installation.
After removing the old fixtures add insulation to the empty spots left in the ceiling install airtight electrical boxes and use the same wiring to put in surface mounted fixtures such as track lighting or pendants.
Apply a bead of caulk around the cutout in the ceiling.
Up in the attic clean the ceiling surface around each fixture slit the cover to accommodate the electrical cable and place the cover over the fixture.
That s what a recessed light does.
We ve shown how to use led retrofit inserts in this process so here we take a look at the steps behind using foam sealant to ensure the can is correctly installed into the home envelope.
If you have recessed light fixtures in your home you may also have a significant volume of conditioned air escaping into your attic.
A good lighting showroom will have lots of options.
Reinstall the bulb in the recessed light fixture.
Sealing from below in homes where attic access isn t available or is difficult and for recessed fixtures mounted in first floor ceilings a top hat and insulation is not an option.
The best way to deal with these lights is to remove them completely.
In their place install an airtight electrical box and then install a different type of lighting fixture track lighting pendants or some other type of surface mounted fixture.
Can lights can be a tricky component to properly sealing attic recessed lights.
For more information see air sealing can lights safely fhb 249 the best alternative in your situation is to replace the recessed lights with nonrecessed lights.