HELP - Cold air pouring into kitchen from recessed lights!

[CrimsonStache]

I was changing my incandescent recessed lights to LEDs last night and I noticed that cold air is coming in through the recessed light fixtures like crazy! Anyone else have this problem? Looking for some guidance on how to better insulate it.

[zephyr911]

Do you have access to the space above? Attic, etc?

Recessed lights generally have back boxes, which might be standing up above the level of the attic insulation. If that's the case, your insulation is probably too low in general, and you should just raise it up to 18-24" all around. But, at a minimum, try to get access to the back boxes and cover them with something to stop the leak.

[tooqk4u22]

More likely than not, the wrong fixtures were used fairly common because people are cheap and don't know the right way to do things.  They probably used non-IC rated fixtures (can't put insulation anywhere near or on them and they are essentially open so air free flows).  For attics or anywhere there is insulation IC rated boxes should be used, which are typically airtight and insulation can also be placed on top and around.

If that's the problem you could put these in...haven't used them so can't say for sure - just an example of a possible fix.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Tenmat-Recessed-Light-Cover-FF130E/204286308

[Molzy]

We just finished dealing with this issue. Google "air sealing attic" and watch some of the you tube videos. It took us about two days and maybe $50 worth of supplies (contractor quoted its $400).

It isn't a pleasant job, but we could tell our house got less drafty the first night!

[Fishindude]

More likely than not, the wrong fixtures were used fairly common because people are cheap and don't know the right way to do things.  They probably used non-IC rated fixtures (can't put insulation anywhere near or on them and they are essentially open so air free flows).  For attics or anywhere there is insulation IC rated boxes should be used, which are typically airtight and insulation can also be placed on top and around.

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[Greg]

Study the label inside the recessed fixture to determine of you can air seal or cover the can on the attic side.  As other have mentioned, you may not be able to insulate.  But usually there's no harm in air sealing, using caulking and/or foil tape as is used for ducting.  If the can isn't IC rated, you can't insulate against it directly but you may be able to build a small box to cover each one, then insulate around that.

[paddedhat]

The other possibility is that the cans ARE insulation contact rated, and visibly marked with IC on them. Fact is, IC cans are cheap in my market area, and represent the majority of the product on the shelf at the big box stores. The problem is that many insulation contractors here employ barely literate knuckle draggers, and have a policy of training these clowns to never insulate tight to any recessed ceiling fixture, regardless of what a label says. While building new homes, I was constantly instructing insulators to properly insulate the cans, then checking to see if they did.

[BlueMR2]

Rather than just put an LED bulb into the can over my kitchen sink, I used one of the more expensive LED can retrofit kits (from Home Depot).  It's a whole module that fits into the old can and it seals up quite nicely.  They had 2 models there, a cheap plastic Chinese one for $30 and a nice metal/glass American made one for $50.  I bought the nice one and don't regret it.