Those recessed light cans have been workhorses, bathing your rooms in warm ambient light for years. But if they’ve started acting up with flickering, buzzing, or just petering out altogether, it’s probably time for an upgrade. Don’t worry though, you’ve got this!
Swapping out those old recessed fixtures for new ones is a straightforward DIY project, no electrician required. With the right tools and a bit of guidance, you can handle this job like a pro in just a few hours. We’ll show you the ropes every step of the way.
From shutting off the power to prepping the holes and wiring those shiny new LED recessed lights, our guide has you covered. By the time you’re done, your living space will be glowing with even, energy-efficient illumination. No more dead zones or annoying buzzes – just a refreshed, welcoming vibe. Let’s get those old cans replaced!
Preparation
Alright, before we get our hands dirty swapping out those old recessed cans, we need to do a little prep work. Having the right tools and materials on-hand will make this lighting upgrade go way smoother. Let’s run through the essentials.
Tools You’ll Need:
- Screwdrivers (flat and Phillips head) – For removing trim rings, junction boxes, etc.
- Wire strippers – To strip cable sheathing and expose conductors
- Non-contact voltage tester – Confirms when circuits are powered off
- Drill and hole saw bits – For making new ceiling holes if needed
- Utility knife – Handy for cutting through drywall, caulk, or gaskets
- Ladder or step stool – Unless you’re towering over everyone else.
Materials:
- New recessed lighting fixtures/housings – LED models are most energy efficient
- Remodel or ceiling junction boxes – If existing boxes need replacing
- 14/2 or 12/2 NM cable – For running new wiring to fixtures if needed
- Wire nuts/connectors – For joining conductors together
- Drywall saw or utility knife – To cut holes for new fixtures
- Drywall mud and tape – For patching any holes or drywall cracks
With your toolbox and materials ready to rock, it’s time to prep the work area. First things first, we need to cut the power before doing any electrical work. Locate the circuit breaker controlling your recessed lights and flip that baby to the “Off” position. Give the lights a test flick to confirm they’re off.
Now use that non-contact voltage tester on the fixture wires to double verify there’s no current flowing. Safety first! Once you’ve confirmed the power is deader than disco, it’s time to start removing those old recessed cans.
Grab your screwdriver and unscrew the trim rings or decorative covers surrounding each recessed light. These should come right off, exposing the housing underneath. Next, locate and disconnect all the wiring hooked up to the fixture housings. You may need those wire strippers to split the sheathing and free up the conductors.
With the lights out and wiring disconnected, you’re ready to start yanking those old recessed cans right out of the ceiling! Depending on the age and condition, they may put up a fight and require some prying. But don’t be afraid to apply some elbow grease to get them dislodged.
There you have it – work area prepped, power killed, and those dated recessed lights excised from their cozy ceiling hideouts. We’re ready to make the swap for some slick new LED models. Just be sure to have a temporary light source handy, because once those old cans are out, it’s going to be like camping in your living room until the new ones are installed!
Installing the New Recessed Lighting Fixtures
With those old recessed cans out of the way, it’s time for the fun part – getting those shiny new LED fixtures up and running! This is where the real work happens, but don’t worry, we’ll guide you through every step. Just take it slow and get ready to bask in even, energy-efficient illumination.
Prep Those Ceiling Openings
Before we can even think about wiring, we need to make sure the holes in your ceiling are properly sized for the new recessed lights. Grab one of the new fixture housings along with that utility knife or drywall saw.
Check if the existing holes are the right diameter by setting the housing up to the opening. Too snug? You’ll need to carefully shave off some drywall material around the perimeter. Too loose? We’ll have to patch and make the hole smaller.
Either way, take it slow and make incremental cuts or additions until the housing can smoothly slide into the hole with just a smidge of wiggle room. Don’t go crazy with the sawing though – you don’t want an opening so big that you can’t properly secure the trim later.
Once the holes are prepped, it’s time to give those new fixtures a permanent home. Now, let’s move on to wiring.
Wire ‘Em Up
Alright, let’s connect those new recessed lights and get them talking to your home’s electrical system. Before touching any wires though, triple check that the circuit is still dead using your non-contact voltage tester.
With the power confirmed off, locate the cables running through the ceiling. You’ll want to strip off some sheathing to expose the individual conductors inside – the hot wire (usually black), neutral (white), and ground (green/bare copper).
Now do the same for the wiring coming out of the new recessed light housings. Match up the conductors, twisting the hot to hot, neutral to neutral, and ground to ground. Use those handy dandy wire nuts to solidly connect and cap off each joined pair.
If your existing ceiling cables look short or there’s just no wiring running to the new fixture locations, you’ll need to run new 14/2 or 12/2 NM cable. Just drill a hole in the top ceiling plate, snake the cable through, and join the conductors the same way to the fixture wiring.
Once the wiring connections are made, it’s time to secure those new recessed light housings in place. This part varies by manufacturer, so refer to the instructions. You may need to use mounting brackets, clips, or just force the housing into the hole and secure it to the ceiling joists with screws.
Add Insulation & Vapor Barrier (If Applicable)
For recessed lights installed in insulated ceilings, you’ll want to add insulation covers and a vapor barrier. These fire-rated boxes go over the top of the housing, allowing insulation to be packed right up to the fixture while still providing a protective barrier.
The vapor barrier is key too, since you don’t want hot air and moisture passing through the housing and into your ceiling space. This can lead to mold issues and just general inefficiency. So don’t skip these protective layers!
To install, just slip the insulation cover over the housing’s top, securing it via the clips or flanges. Then lay the vapor barrier pad over the top and seal off any remaining gaps with caulk or aluminum tape. This ensures a nice tight fit.
Install the Trim
With the housing secured, wiring connected, and insulation/vapor barrier added, we’re on the home stretch! You’ve just got to install the decorative trim to lock in those new recessed lighting fixtures.
This part is pretty straightforward – the trim piece should simply twist, snap, or screw into place around the housing’s outer rim. Some models may require small springs or torsion clips, while others have built-in grooves for the trim to grab onto.
Check the trim ring for any adjustment screws, brackets or mechanisms to allow you to customize the lighting angle and beam spread. Once it’s all tightened down, give the trim a final cleaning with a microfiber cloth to clear off any dust or smudges.
And that’s it – after some wiring, securing, and trimming work, your new recessed lighting setup is complete! Now, it’s time to bring everything to life.
Restore Power & Test
Head back over to your electrical panel and carefully restore power to the circuit you were working on. If the wiring is done correctly, those new LED recessed lights should instantly blaze to life!
Do a quick check, ensuring all the fixtures are solidly illuminated with no flickering or buzzing. Make any final trim adjustments to optimize the beam angle and light dispersion.
If everything looks good, you’ve just successfully completed a full recessed lighting overhaul! Give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back.
But before basking too long in that warm glow, be sure to clean up the work area. Bag up any drywall debris, wire clippings, or packaging. You don’t want to be finding those under the couch for the next decade.
With your living space refreshed by even, efficient illumination, you can finally kick back and admire the finished product. Those old recessed cans have been put out to pasture in favor of a modern lighting setup that will look great for years to come.
Finishing Touches
Congratulations! If you’ve made it this far, that means you successfully navigated shutting off the power, removing those old recessed cans, prepping the holes, wiring up the new fixtures, and securing everything in place. Give yourself a hearty pat on the back!
But before you go reclining under that refreshed ambient lighting with a cold beverage, there are just a few finishing touches to attend to. We want to ensure those new LED recessed lights are operating at peak performance.
Let There Be Light!
With the power restored to the circuit you were working on, those new recessed fixtures should have instantly blazed to life. If not, or if any are flickering or buzzing, double check your wiring connections. Ensure all the conductors are properly joined with wire nuts and no stray strands are causing a short.
Assuming the lights did kick on as expected, it’s time to optimize and fine tune that illumination. Grab a step stool or ladder and inspect each fixture up close. Most trim rings will have small adjustment screws, brackets, or other mechanisms that allow you to pivot the light angle.
Play around with re-positioning the trim until you’ve achieved your desired beam direction and dispersion. You may want the lights slightly angled towards walls for ambient brightness, or focused straight down for tasking lighting. This is your chance to dial in that warm, even glow!
Once you’ve locked in the perfect lighting angle, take a final look at the trim itself. Any smudges, dust, or stuck-on drywall debris? Give each trim a quick wipe down with a microfiber cloth to clear off any grime. You want those recessed lights gleaming!
Tidy Up That Workspace
Alright, with the lighting optimization complete, you’re almost ready to kick back and bask in your hard work. But first, be sure to give the work area a thorough clean up and reset.
Pack up any leftover materials, wiring scraps, drywall debris, or packaging into a garbage bag for easy disposal. You don’t want tiny drywall pebbles or wire nuts getting lodged into couch cushions for years to come. Vacuum up any dust bunnies that got displaced during the installation process.
Once you’ve returned the space to its pre-work condition, take a walk through and admire your handiwork from all angles. Those new LED recessed lights should be providing beautiful, even illumination without any of the dead zones or buzzing from the old, dated fixtures.
If it all looks good, you can finally plop down and relax under that refreshed ambient lighting! Maybe grab an ice cold beverage to enjoy – you’ve certainly earned it after successfully completing this lighting overhaul.
Maintenance and Safety Tips
Kick back and bask in that warm, energy-efficient glow for a bit – you’ve earned it after conquering this recessed lighting replacement! But before you get too comfortable, let’s go over some quick maintenance tips to keep those new LED fixtures looking and performing their best.
The upkeep for LED recessed lights is blessedly low-maintenance compared to their old school incandescent or CFL predecessors. No more constantly replacing burnt out bulbs every few months! Still, showing your new lighting setup a little TLC now and then will ensure peak performance and maximum lifespan.
Keeping It Pristine
While LEDs are designed to run cool, some dust and grime build-up over time is inevitable. Every few months, break out that microfiber cloth and give the trim rings a quick wipe down. This prevents any caked-on grossness from building up and obstructing light output.
You can also periodically vacuum out the inside of each recessed light housing using a brush attachment. This clears out any critters or debris that may have found their way inside. Just be sure to cut the circuit power first beforesticking anything inside the fixtures!
Eventually, the LED modules themselves may start dimming or changing color temperature as they age. When that happens, you can simply swap out the integrated LED component for an fresh one to restore brilliant lighting. Check your fixture’s specs, as most quality LEDs should last 15-20 years before requiring replacement.
Safety Comes First
Of course, any time you’re dealing with electrical work, safety needs to be the top priority. During your initial recessed lighting replacement, you took the proper precautions like:
- Cutting power to the circuit at the breaker panel
- Testing for active current using a non-contact voltage tester
- Properly joining conductors with capped wire connectors
Those same safety rules apply for any future maintenance too. Always always ALWAYS confirm the power is off before sticking your hands inside a recessed light housing. Getting zapped is a surefire way to ruin your day!
For accessing those high ceiling fixtures, invest in a sturdy ladder or quality step stool. Nothing puts a damper on your lighting accomplishments like taking a spill off a rickety A-frame. If you’re not comfortable working at heights, don’t be a hero – call in a professional to handle any precarious recessed light maintenance.
Maintain Those Gains
With some basic cleaning and the occasional LED module swap, those new recessed lights should keep bathing your living space in warm, energy-efficient illumination for years and years to come. Just be sure to keep safety top of mind anytime you’re dealing with electrical components.
Stick to those maintenance best practices, and you’ll continue reaping the benefits of that modern, streamlined lighting setup. No more buzzing and flickering from those dated old cans! Your future self will thank you for taking the time to upgrade.
Bright Idea: Call All Pro for Hassle-Free Lighting Upgrades
Mastering that recessed lighting swap is a major DIY win – your living space is now basking in brilliant, energy-efficient illumination! But if you’d rather leave electrical projects to the pros, no sweat.
The lighting gurus at All Pro have been illuminating homes across Southern California for over 20 years. Whether upgrading existing fixtures or designing a custom lighting layout, our team makes sure every nook and cranny gets properly lit. For expert lighting installation services, visit our website or call us to get started today! We’ll handle every step from product selection to installation and more.
Don’t spend another day squinting through dim, outdated lighting. Call All Pro at (909) 500-8193 to schedule an appointment and let SoCal’s lighting leaders brighten up your world! Our knowledgeable technicians will ensure your new lighting setup is a brilliant success.