How to Add Blown Insulation Near the Recessed Lights

Insulate around recessed lights for energy savings.

A properly insulated attic helps reduce household energy consumption by keeping hot air from entering your home through the ceiling during hot months and by keeping cold air from entering during cold months. Blowing insulation throughout the attic is relatively easy, but it must be kept away from heat sources such as chimney flues, air handlers and, especially, any recessed light fixtures that are not IC-rated (the IC is short for “insulation contact”). IC-rated fixtures have special cases that restrict heat transfer and can be covered with blown insulation without concern. For other recessed fixtures, you must take extra precaution.

Things You'll Need

• 10-inch flashing

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Instructions

1. Clear any insulation from around the recessed lights. Determine whether your lights are IC-rated. IC-rated lights will have an “IC” stamp; you can blow insulation onto the lights if you find that marking.

2. Bend (by hand) 10-inch flashing into tubes and slide a tube over each light fixture that is not IC-rated. Make sure that each tube is at least 3 inches from the fixture.

3. Blow insulation around the flashing tubes, and remove any that accidentally gets into the tube.

References

• Energy Star: A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Sealing and Insulation With Energy Star
• Capri Lighting: IC Rating vs. Non-IC Rating on Light Fixtures