Replies

1. 
   BillHartmann | Sep 14, 2007 04:47am | #1

   There are air tight trim kits, but they have to be matched with the cans.

   I am not sure, but I believe that you can get old work air tight cans (and trim).

   Replace them a couple at a time.

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   A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
1. 
   ken609 | Sep 14, 2007 09:38pm | #3

   Thanks for the replies. I'll price kits if I can find any but now have an alternative with the low watt bulbs and foil duct tape. I dont need that much light anyway. When the electrician finished installing he said when I turn on the lights in this house it will cause a brown out in the town nearby. Funny, at the time but not now. My neck hurts already.A second question. I saw that there are new low energy coil type lights now available for recessed. Does anyone know if these give off a lot of heat? I am guessing they don't because I thought they were like florescent lights but they all seem to have a wide base near the end for whatever reason.

1. 
   BillHartmann | Sep 15, 2007 01:57am | #4

   "A second question. I saw that there are new low energy coil type lights now available for recessed."I am not sure what you are talking about.Are these edison base screw in's.CFL's comes in all kinds of shapes.Click on the different links for some different shape of bulbs.http://www.energyfederation.org/consumer/default.php/cPath/2050_25_44And conversion kits to convert cans into dimmable CFL's. http://www.energyfederation.org/consumer/default.php/cPath/2050_25_174_510Those will use a quad pin plug in bulb.http://www.energyfederation.org/consumer/default.php/cPath/25_173_723_1132
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   A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

2. 
   deskguy | Sep 15, 2007 02:19am | #5

   In regards to your second question, the coil type bulbs for recessed.  I believe your talking about reflector style bulbs.  For my cans, I couldn't find any that fit.  I broke two different types trying to get them in there .  I found some during my last trip to costco that are small enough to fit in my cans, and not extend outside of the can.  And they put off very little heat.

3. 
   123456 | Sep 17, 2007 04:23am | #6

   <snip>
   A second question. I saw that there are new low energy coil type lights now available for recessed. Does anyone know if these give off a lot of heat?
   <unsnip>Yes, I just bought 4 low energy (about 14 watt ... so definitely less heat) fluorescent bulbs designed for cans. They were also designed to be used with dimmers. They look like the reflector style bulbs, but there is definitely a coiled bulb inside the reflector bulb. We bought them because the thermal switch keeps kicking out on a couple of our can lights. They were sort of expensive and of course they did not fix the problem ... So, next question .... can I replace the thermal switches (the cans are about 15 yrs old) or can I switch out the entire can light without doing too much damage to the drywall?Thanks,Scott B

   Edited 9/16/2007 9:28 pm by 123456

1. 
   ken609 | Sep 17, 2007 08:48pm | #7

   Thanks for the links. Seems like the low energy flood type bulbs on that page must generate heat as "they should not be used in poorly ventilated fixtures." Otherwise the bulbs offered there are not for dimming circuits. All of my recessed lights are on dimming circuits.The only other bulb is the "pin" based lamp. These won't fit my cans. The whole solution with the airtight insert is nice but at $40 dollars each are too much since I need so many. I need a bulb like the "pin" type that will work in a air tight can (foil tape method) with a screw type end on the bulb. I'll call the vendor you pointed to and if they have anything will post it here. Thanks again.

1. 
   ken609 | Sep 17, 2007 08:57pm | #8

   I just called "Energy Federation Incorporated" and was told the reflector type low energy bulbs would work ok in a sealed can as long as there was some ventilation. Since there would be no glass or lens over the opening of the can she said that would be ok. So I guess that is the solution. Everyone thanks for your help.

2. 
   ponytl | Sep 14, 2007 05:56am | #2

   i had your exact problem... looked all over for lens that would seal ect...

   what i did....  replaced all the blubs with 13watt low energy bulbs... same light as  75watt (i think)  this reduced the heat produced that needs to escape from the can so the little sensors don't cut the light off (at least in mine)

   now to fix all the air leaks now that we've cut way down on the amount of heat trapped in the can by the bulb

   i removed all the trim rings... caulked the gap between the can & the drywall

   then i cut strips of the silver foil duct sealing tape (not duct or duck tape) the stuff that looks like alum foil....and sealed all the holes in the cans... all the slots ... everything... took about 5 min per can max... then reinstalled the bulb and trim ring...

   mine were like yours  you could watch smoke fly'n out the fixtures...

   none  escapes now  i checked.... or at least you can't watch it be'n sucked out...

   sure this method is not approved in any way...  if you keep regular bulbs in (i haven't tried) but i think you'd have way too much heat build up in the can...   think i have like 20 in my upstairs area...mostly open space... so i know i save use'n the low watt bulbs  on top of plug'n a HUGE LEAK

   P