When shopping for a recessed can lights, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices. The good news is that many of them do the same thing, so you can buy whichever one fits your decor the best. There are a few things that set them apart, mainly in terms of safety and sealing, which we’ll cover in this post so you can not only get the recessed can light that looks good, but won’t burn your house down!
Recessed can lighting is inherently dangerous because the bulk of the light fixture is in the attic. Attic fires cause more damage than most fires in the home because they are so hard to get to, and move very quickly before getting noticed. For this reason, it’s extremely important that you choose the proper lights to stay safe. With the proper lights, the risk of a fire is almost zero.
What Makes Recessed Can Lights Safe?
The rating of a can light is what determines how it should be used, and under what circumstances. Most recessed can lights have a rating of IC, which can be used with loose pack insulation. If your light is not rated IC you cannot use it around loose insulation, or the risk of a fire is extreme. It is possible to build a dam around the lights to keep insulation at bay, but that is a lot of work when you have multiple can lights.
Non-IC ceiling lights shouldn’t be used in the first story of multiple story buildings, basements, and most commercial applications.
Another rating for recessed can lights is ASTM E283. This rating is given to lights that are air tight, and prevent drafts into, or out of, your attic. The best recessed can lights are going to be ASTM E283 and IC rated. Not all of them are this way, but if you can find them they are a great choice.
Shopping for can lights isn’t tough, it’s just a matter of knowing what you’re going to be working with in the attic, and what type of lights are rated for it. If you have loose pack insulation, there is no other choice than IC. With other types of insulation you can choose what you want.
