Recessed Lighting and air leakage
SwissCarpenter
| Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on
I’m getting ready to insulate my attic with blown in fiberglass. I obviously want to seal up any points of air infiltration prior to blowing in the fiberglass, so I have a question about sealing the cans. The cans are IC recessed fixtures. I’ve heard of people putting insulated styrofoam coolers over the fixtured and foaming around them. Good idea? Is trapped heat under the cooler an issue? I know that there are specifically designed bells that you can put over them, but the cost is high compared with the cooler idea. Thoughts?
Replies
The usual suggestion is a box made out of drywall.
I just saw foam coolers in WalMart for $3
Recessed Can Light Cover - Drywall
Some building codes require a fire rated box.
We build them out of fire-rated drywall and fireblock spray foam. They stand up to more abuse and accidental contact than the styrofoam coolers.