Recessed Lighting Buying Guide A step-by-step guide to find the right recessed lighting for your home.
296 Freeport Street Updated April 2015
I Boston, MA 02122
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Overview
Photo Credit: WCA Interior Designers
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Overview
Photo Credit: Mood Design and Builders
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Overview
Photo Credit: Altius Architecture
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Overview Recessed lighting is often considered the main task and accent lighting for a room. Below are some terms and illustrations to provide insight into the industry, and make it easier to converse intelligently with electricians, contractors, designers and other trades people.
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Overview The 4 Elements of Lighting
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Overview Recessed lighting is separated into two pieces, the trim and the can. The can is the electrical piece that sits in the ceiling and the trim is the decorative part that is actually visible.
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What’s New 2015 LED output: • Effective LED output has doubled last year to 2,000 • A 24 watt LED is now roughly equivalent to a traditional 160 watt incandescent bulb.
Small is the new large: • •
In 1970, the standard aperture was 6 inch. By 1990, the standard was reduced to 5, then 4 inch. Now you can buy a 1 inch LED aperture with better output then a 5 inch incandescent. Smaller is better, because it is less noticeable in your ceiling.
Read More: Best New LED Recessed Lights Watch Video: Best New LED Recessed 1” and 3” Lights
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Table of Contents 1
Terms
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How to Buy
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About Yale
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Terms
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New Work vs. Old Work New Work vs. Old Work: Industry terms meaning if your ceiling is open or closed. The composition of the can changes depending on the installation.
“New Work” / “Open” ceilings: A new work housing is simply bolted to the ceiling studs from the top. They are often more square in shape.
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“Old Work” / “Closed” ceilings: In older, closed ceilings, a hole is drilled and the can is simply placed through.
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IC vs. Non-IC IC-Rated vs. Non-IC Rated: Some housings are designed to be in direct contact with insulation (IC-Rated) and some are not (Non-IC Rated) (typically white). The cost difference is minimal and the IC-rated can does not allow air to infiltrate through the ceiling, thus making it more energy efficient.
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Diameter Diameter: The size of the trim and housing can vary from 1” to 6” in diameter. With the advent of more powerful LED, you do not need a larger diameter. For new construction, 1”-4” would be appropriate. Proper sizing relates to the height of the ceiling. Normal ceilings, or those of about 8’ or 9’ tall, can use 4” or 5” trims and housings. A 6” recessed light would be inappropriately sized for normal ceiling height. Watch Video: Best New LED Recessed 1” and 3” Lights Yale Appliance + Lighting
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Trims This is an actual picture of one of our trim displays in the showroom here in Dorchester. This shows the standard finishes that some of the different trims come in.
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Ceiling Slope Angled or sloped ceilings require a specialized housing.
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Baffle The standard trim for most applications, which features a louvered (or horizontally lined) metal. These are most commonly available in white, but are also available in other finishes as well.
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Eyeball The eyeball trim protrudes slightly from the ceiling and is best used for accenting a wall (or “wallwashing”) by angling the “eye.” There are updated versions of the eyeball, such as the gimbal ring, the regressed eyeball, and the adjustable scoop. Look for a trim with adjustable bulb sockets. Some trims can adjust as much as 35 degrees within the trim.
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Eyeballs are frequently used to shine walls and accent other objects. Eyeballs of all forms including regressed eyeballs and scoops should be removed from your plan.
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Cone and Pin Hole Cone: This is also called a “multiplier,” it is anodized and more reflective than the baffle. Pin Hole: Accent trim allows less but more Focused light. There are a variety of trims which accent depending on the application.
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KelvinScale Kelvin Scale is a color rating scale for bulbs. Sunlight and fluorescent are rated at 5,000 degrees Kelvin. This is a harsh light and not good for the kitchen and bathroom. Incandescent is considered good at 2,500 degrees and is very flattering, “yellow” light. Look for a bulb around 2,5003,000 Kelvin for best effects.
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Halogen Halogen is the most versatile bulb for recessed. It is available in smaller sizes for 3” and 4” recessed trims and housings. Halogen is a whiter light than regular incandescent and a cheaper option than low-voltage. Halogen for recessed is typically 120V, or linevoltage. The most commonly used version of the PAR type bulb halogen is the GU10 MR-16.
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LED LED Light Bulbs are considered the “bulb of the future” due to their longevity (15-25 years) and their efficiency (up to 10 times more efficient than incandescent). There are a few ways to use LED bulbs in a recessed application. LED Retrofit: There are LED replacement/retrofit housings for some sizes by Nora. These are available for 5” and 6” housings. Basically the retrofit kit plugs in to the existing housing, enabling you to use LED dependent trims.
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LED Dependent: LED dependent recessed housings are just that- they can only use LED bulbs. They require a special trim and housing. They are often available in different Kelvin units and usually include the light bulb.
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LED LED Bulbs: Interested in LED but don’t want to completely commit? Try replacing your incandescent bulb with an LED bulb. The LED bulb has evolved to include a base that fits into regular sockets and can dissipate heat better through the back fins. This is often the easiest and most costeffective solution to purchase. Also, most sizes are currently available, so it is easy to retrofit existing fixtures. It’s easy to upgrade almost any unit with an LED bulb.
LED PAR
LED A19
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LED MR16
BR30
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LED vs. Low-Voltage When comparing LED housings to low-voltage housings, there a few factors to consider. Low-voltage housings include a transformer within the fixture, which converts the 120V line voltage down to 12V. Low-voltage bulbs cast a whiter light than regular incandescent bulbs, and illuminate counters, tile, and cabinets better. However, low-voltage bulbs are still considered incandescent. They will heat to 300 degrees and have a life-span of about 7 months. Low-voltage housings are around $50. LED housings include an LED driver within the fixture, which similarly to lowvoltage, bring the voltage down so the LED bulb will work. However, an 11W LED bulb will emit more light than a 50W low-voltage bulb. Additionally, the LED bulbs are cooler than low-voltage. The color renderings are improving, meaning the LED bulbs look closer to the same light that incandescent put out. LED light bulbs last a lot longer than low-voltage, averaging about 20 years. LED dependent housings start around $90.
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How to Buy
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How to Buy First, stick with a smaller can of 4 to 5 inches on a normal ceiling. I like the baffle for kitchen and gimbal rings for accent a wall. In terms of bulbs, LED is the best and has a current payback of 2-3 years, and it is only improving. It’s time to consider LED for efficiency, longevity and yearly annual savings. I love the new 1-3 inch for the best look in your ceiling. 4 inches offer less lumens but are more cost effective. Yale Appliance + Lighting
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How to Apply It really depends on the room, ceiling height and objects to be illuminated. In a kitchen, we recommend placing lighting by the refrigerator and sink, because they are a high traffic areas. Placement of the recessed lights between the cabinets and counters is better for illuminating both.
Never place a light source behind you to prevent shadowing. Space recessed roughly 4-5 feet apart. Yale Appliance + Lighting
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How to Apply
Photo Credit: Trina Clark Designs
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How to Apply
Photo Credit: Stotler Design Group
For bedrooms and baths, you want to focus and cross illuminate certain key points like the mirrors and bed. Yale Appliance + Lighting
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How to Apply Below are more detailed tips on Recessed Lighting: •How to Light a Bathroom with Recessed Lighting •Best Recessed Lighting for Wet Locations •How to Use Recessed Lighting for Wall Washing or Accenting
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About Yale
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A Little About Us Yale has been based in Boston for 90 years and currently operates a 30,000 sq. ft. Showroom with 3,500 lights and 800 appliances on display. We operate the largest independent service and repair department in New England with 50 people and 21 service technicians. Be a Yale Insider and choose topics of your interest from Cooking tips, sales information, lighting and much more. Click here for more information
2014 Awards Residential Lighting Magazine Showroom of the Year Boston Magazine’s Best of Boston 2014 Retailers Association of MA Retailer of the Year Read more about us here
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Contact Information For product recommendations, questions or anything else please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Address: 296 Freeport St., Boston, MA Website: www.yaleappliance.com Blog: blog.yaleappliance.com Email:
[email protected] Phone: 617-825-9253 Facebook: fb.com/YaleApplianceLighting Twitter: @MyYale
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Virtual Showroom Want to get a sneak peak at our state of the art showroom? Check out the link below for a full interactive virtual tour of the Yale Appliance and Lighting Showroom located in Dorchester, Mass. See the Yale showroom here
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