Is it dangerous to box over recessed lights?
SouthDakotaRoof
| Posted in Energy Efficiency and Durability on
I have three recessed lights with LED bulbs (they will be removed by the way but not until 2 months from now) I read somewhere that building a airtight box with foam board or any material is dangerous because of over heating but I read a lot more articles encouraging air tight boxes with 3″ space around the light. Which is it? Mine are IC rated. Box or no?
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Replies
It depends on the IC rating....I had the same issue. My electrician told me that I could install closed cell foam tight to the box. He relented when I pointed out the spec sheet for the fixture clearly stated "IC suitable up to R60 spray foam insulation."
If they are getting removed, I wouldn't worry about them.
Boxing is more of an issue with incandescent bulbs. Even with IC rated enclosures, the enclosure gets pretty hot. LED units don't put out that much heat, with IC rated ones, you can spray foam right over them.