[harpua728]

So I have a sunroom on my main floor that used to be an enclosed porch. There are 4 recessed lights in the ceiling and right above that is a slanted roof (not an attic for me to access the area above the light).

When it snows, you can see that the snow melts on the roof where the high hats are. We don't use the room that much this is caused more by heat loss rather than the lighting overheating. When I put my hand over the opening, it feels like an open window.

These are the lighting cans that are in there. They are vented and it says not to put insulation within 3 inches of the can.

http://www.cooperindustries.com/con...ng/incandescent/_6_inch_housings/_269414.html

Is my best bet to replace these with insulated cans? Is that safe? Is this an easy DIY project?

Thanks for your help.

 

[GottaFixIt]

Whoever installed those should have used IC (insulation contact) rated housings. You could probably retro fit them in and add insulation, but you might be patching some drywall.

 

[Bud9051]

I agree with Nick, replacing them is the best long term solution. In some cases people will build an enclosure to cover them, maintaining the 3" requirement and using something like drywall, non-flammable. Then they cover that enclosure with the desired insulation. Lights like that have often been installed in joist cavities or soffit areas where they are essentially fully enclosed and the mfg doesn't have a problem with that.

If you go with new, they are IC and AT rated, insulation contact as Nick stated and air tight. But they are not insulated, they leave that for you .

Bud

 

[harpua728]

I agree with Nick, replacing them is the best long term solution. In some cases people will build an enclosure to cover them, maintaining the 3" requirement and using something like drywall, non-flammable. Then they cover that enclosure with the desired insulation. Lights like that have often been installed in joist cavities or soffit areas where they are essentially fully enclosed and the mfg doesn't have a problem with that.

If you go with new, they are IC and AT rated, insulation contact as Nick stated and air tight. But they are not insulated, they leave that for you .

Bud

Thanks, Bud. There's no attic above them, just the roof so there's really no way to box it in and insulate it.

 

[Bud9051]

Sorry, I missed that. From my poor memory, I think I have read about inserts that are air sealed. I will do some searching to see if I can find anything or if I need to clear out my memory, OH what a horrible thought.

Bud

This link has a simple explanation:
http://hammerandhand.com/field-note...-lam-recessed-lighting-and-energy-efficiency/