QA

How To Install Canister Lights

Can I install recessed lighting myself?

If you have a nearby power source, you can easily install recessed lights by yourself. Bringing in a power source adds some time to the project, but this can be accomplished by wiring your own circuit or hiring an electrician.

How much does it cost to have canister lights installed?

Expect to pay between $100 to $480 per fixture, or $360 on average, when having recessed lighting installed by a pro. At the average price, the project runs about $2,160 for six fixtures. The total varies depending on the type of housing, trim, and bulbs you select.

How do you install recessed lights?

A good general rule for placement is to divide the height of the ceiling by two. The result is the amount of space to leave between each light. For example, recessed lighting spacing for an 8-foot-high ceiling would be 4 feet between each light. This will provide good spacing for general room lighting.

How hard is it to add recessed lighting?

It is more difficult to install recessed lights than traditional types. The process involves a lot of cutting out holes that are of the same size. Putting them in the ceiling can be even more challenging than working along a wall.

Do you need an electrician to install recessed lighting?

Yes, you need (sic) to hire a licensed electrican to install recessed lights in a ceiling. Yes, a person with good knowledge and experience in electrical work is able to preform the work.

How many recessed lights can be on a circuit?

The main limitation to the number of recessed fixtures you can run at the same time is the rating of the circuit breaker that controls the circuit. Each fixture with a 60-watt incandescent or halogen bulb draws about 1/2 amp, so a 15-amp breaker for a standard lighting circuit would be able to handle 30 of them.

What wire do I use for recessed lighting?

State or city electrical codes may require a specific type and/or gauge of wire to safely install recessed lighting fixtures. The electrician will know these requirements. Typically, a 12-gauge cable with two insulated conductor wires and a ground wire are used.

How much do electricians charge to install recessed lights?

The cost for an electrician to install recessed can or canless LED lights will generally be between $200 and $250 per fixture. Professionals charge at a rate of $85 to $105 per hour and each installation takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours.

Is recessed lighting worth it?

Recessed lighting definitely has some great advantages that make it a great choice for your next lighting installation. When it comes to interior design, it’s an unobtrusive, effective way to light your spaces with class. First of all, recessed lighting is perfect for low ceilings.

Can you add recessed lighting to existing ceiling?

Thinking about adding recessed lights or pot lights but don’t want to tear out your whole ceiling to do it? Luckily you don’t have to. With a little ingenuity and special remodeling housings, you can install a roomful of recessed lights or canister lights with minimal drywall tear-out and patching.

How far off the wall should you put a recessed light?

Keep your fixtures between 1.5 and 3 feet away from the wall. Space fixtures equidistant from each other. Place adjustable trim away from the wall.

How many canister lights do I need?

Whatever new recessed lighting you add should work with your existing fixtures. Measure your room to see how many fixtures you will need. A common rule of thumb is that you use one recessed light for every 4 to 6 square feet of ceiling space.

What is the difference between can lights and recessed lights?

Recessed lights, also known as can lights, are described as metal light housings installed in the ceiling for a sleek look that gives you back your ceiling.

Are recessed lights out of style?

Recessed lighting will never go out of style. However, the finishes and sizes will vary and change as time goes by. There are too many advantages of having the lighting recessed for them to eventually go out of style or phase out.

Does recessed lighting use more electricity?

Recessed lighting does use more electricity. The amount of electricity (kWh) consumed by recessed lighting is up to 90 kWh per day which is 2,700 kWh per month. This is in reference to recessed lighting with fluorescent lightbulbs. Typical electrical costs differ depending on where you live.

Should recessed lights be wired in series or parallel?

Parallel. White to white, black to black throughout. If you wire them in series, you will only get a dim glow based on the number of units you wire in.

Why is recessed lighting bad?

Used properly, recessed lights are sleek, unobtrusive fixtures that can be good problem-solvers. Used improperly, they can waste electricity, provide poor lighting and cause your heating and cooling bills to go up. Kitchens are common places where recessed lighting fixtures are used.

Can I daisy chain recessed lights?

Remember that you must run one ultra-thin extension cable (or run of low voltage wire) for each light. You can not daisy chain multiple lights together. Run your electrical wire from the switch/dimmer location to each driver.

How can I get ceiling lights without wires?

There are plenty of ideas for lighting without wiring that can change the look and feel of your living space with ease. Light bulbs and Lampshades. Start with something simple, like changing out your light bulbs or even your lampshades. Plug-in pendant lights. Plug-in wall sconces. Wireless LED motion sensor lights.

Can you put lights and outlets on the same circuit?

Basic answer to your question of can a mixture of lights and receptacles be installed on a single circuit is yes.

Can you use 12 2 wire recessed lighting?

Yes, it is okay to use 12-2 cable to supply lighting fixtures. The other answer indicates that it even with 12-2 you have to use a 15A breaker for lighting circuits which is not strictly correct. If the entire circuit is 12AWG (other than fixture wires), then a 20A breaker may be used.

How many lights can go on a 15 amp circuit?

You can put up to 30 lights (based on 50 watt light) on a 15 amp breaker. You can put up to 40 lights (based on 50 watt light) on a 20 amp breaker.