Tiffany Rabalais
PREMIERE PROPERTIES OF THE SOU My Website 204 Mystic Blvd Houma, LA 70360 O: 985-223-1777 M: 985-637-8433 Contact Me |
How to Prevent Your Recessed Lighting from Leaking Air
Recessed lights have received plenty of attention as a potential source of energy savings through the use of CFLs and, more recently, LED lamps. But even when equipped with the most efficient bulbs, can lights are a major source of undetected air leakage in most homes. According to Remodeling magazine, whether they are providing a pathway for air movement into floor systems or attics and ultimately out of the house, or drawing outside air into the house, they can affect air quality, comfort, and utility bills. This air movement is difficult to see or feel directly, but it can be easily detected using a smoke stick, especially in conjunction with a blower door.
Although newer homes may have fixtures rated for insulation contact (IC-rated), insulation is not enough to stop air leakage through the fixture, says Remodeling magazine. Where you have access to the attic, you can insulate and air seal in one step by creating a "top hat" to isolate the fixture, sealing it to the surrounding structure, then insulating around it. A number of manufactured products are available to provide safe clearance for insulation around the fixture, but you can also build a box using scraps of rigid insulation or drywall.