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Recessed Lighting Placement for the Home

Summary: Free information about recessed lighting for your home and office electrical improvements. This guide will help assist you to consider several options for recessed lighting placement in your home or office with regard to locations in rooms and the styles available to choose from.

Considerations about recessed lightings for your home.
	Recessed lighting has come a long way from being found mainly in closets and hallways. Now recessed lighting can be found in most all newly constructed homes and in almost every room. With new technologies in lighting available today styles are available that will contribute toward energy efficiency and provide several choices that will serve as a green energy alternative.

What you should know about recessed lighting for your home.

Your selection of the size and type of recessed lighting will be a factor on the amount of light that is produced and the appearance of the light not only for the room but the contents of the room as well. This is why you will find recessed lighting in special applications such as theater hallways, restaurants, retail stores and even bathrooms. A variety of sizes, levels of light produced and style of the fixture trim will have allot to do with the overall appearance of the space being illuminated.

Option 1 - Wall wash recessed lighting for a special room
	The basics of recessed lighting involve planning out the type of lighting you wish to have. The type of light that will be produced will depend on the location of the recessed lighting placement and how close the fixtures are installed to a wall.

Option 2 - Kitchen recessed lighting for a clean appearance
	Some types of recessed lighting will produce a different type of appearance and type of light that is cast down onto the area to be covered with light. Kitchen ceiling light fixtures may require brighter task lighting than a softer accented lighting location.

Option 3 - Above window recessed lighting brightens up the day
	Understanding recessed lighting will help you in the selection process especially when you have a special area in mind that will require a certain style of mood lighting that is desired. Adding a dimmer switch will allow you to obtain the exact level of light as well. Expanded lighting controls options offer remote control for your convenience.

Option 4 - Hallway recessed lighting provides a safe passageway
	Considerations for recessed lighting don't have to be complicated, however they do require careful consideration. Recessed lighting can be installed in harmony with solar tube lighted areas to add light during cloudy days or evening time.

Option 5 - Fireplace recessed lighting will add extra warmth and glow
	The recessed lighting placement can produce ambiance and will add value to any room of your home. Recessed lighting is a great way to upgrade and improve any home and will always provide a new look and appearance.

Questions that may apply to this project

Susan: I'm trying to get a straight answer about installing new light fixtures, which it seems are ALL supposed to be installed on 90 degree supply wires. Well, my home is 52 years old and does not have wire (for the most part) rated 90degrees. All of my lighting fixtures have been installed by licensed electricians and not one of them has said that this is a problem, especially if the fixtures are not flush mounted and/or if the bulbs are not enclosed. At this point, I don\'t know what to believe since I keep reading posts by people who say how unsafe it is to install these new fixtures in older homes. Am I expected to rip holes through my walls every time I want to install a new light fixture? Am I safe if I install only open fixtures without enclosed bulbs? Please help me on this since I can't get a consistent answer from people who are supposed to be experts.

Hi Susan - Great Question! Specifically - What type of light fixtures do you want to install? What is the type of lamps, watts for each, and how many. New homes and rewiring projects do require the installation of wire rated for 90 degrees or more. With any circuit in the home the breaker or fuse size is determined by the Wire Size, Type, Length and other factors. Local Codes are also taken into consideration as well. A call to your Local Building Authority or Building Department may give you a direct answer from an Inspector. This would prove to be the best help you can get for your specific project.

NOTE: This question is based on a specific project. Ask The Electrician provides help for your electrical project: Ask Electrical Questions

Job notes that may apply to this project

Typical Labor and materials to install recessed lighting will depend upon the layout of the room and accessibility not only inside the room but also in the attic area as well. The scope of the project should be planned out and the materials determined with an agreed upon price and signed contract before the job begins.

NOTE: Each home electrical project requires careful planning. See our list of Helpful Low-Cost Home Project Guides: Home Electrical Project Guides

Electrical Codes that may apply to this project

410-66 Lighting Fixtures recessed lighting fixtures Recessed lighting fixtures installed in insulated ceilings or installed within 1/2inch of combustible material shall be approved for insulation contact and labeled Type IC.

NOTE: This is a partial list of electrical codes. Other codes may apply. Some codes may be updated.
See the Electrical Code area for more information: Home Electrical Codes

Tools	Materials
Large Straight-Slot Screw Driver, Medium Straight-Slot Screw Driver, Small Straight-Slot Screw Driver, Awl, Lineman's Pliers, Needle-Nose Pliers, Crimp Pliers, Wire Strippers, Sheath Knife, Black Electrical Tape, Red Electrical Tape, White Electrical Tape, Green Electrical Tape, Yellow Wire Connectors, Red Wire Connectors, Ground Crimps, Claw Hammer, Volt Tester, Pencil Marker	Romex wire, staples, wire connectors, splice or junction boxes, recessed lighting, lamps, fixture trims, switches and cover plates.
The electrical tools for each project may be different depending on the individual project requirements and the access to install electrical devices. More about Electrical Tools	The electrical parts list will depend upon each individual project and the requirements to wire specific devices added to the project. More about Electrical Parts