LED Recessed Lighting: For Commercial and Residential

For decades, recessed lights (also known as can lights or downlights) have remained a favorite choice for modern, streamlined lighting in kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, basements, and in commercial spaces. They are used for both accent and general lighting, and because they are relatively compact, they work wonderfully in small spaces.

One of the latest types of recessed lighting to come on the market is LED recessed lights. They have all the same benefits of traditional downlights, but come with a few extra perks that only LEDs can provide.

Benefits of LED Recessed Lighting 

Whether you’re looking to install a new can or retrofit an existing fixture, there are four major advantages LED recessed lights have over older models.

1. Use Less Energy  

Currently, incandescent bulbs still dominate 54% of the down lighting market share. LEDs make up a mere 1% of that market, but that number is likely to take off exponentially once folks realize the enormous energy savings LEDs can provide. For instance, LEDS use around 85% less energy than incandescent bulbs and 30% less than CFLs,.  Moreover, they create little to no heat (i.e. lower cooling costs) and don’t contain any harmful chemicals (no special disposal requirements).

2. High Quality Light

Unlike some other types of lights, LEDs don’t emit damaging infrared or ultraviolet lights. This is important if you are concerned with protecting the colors of fabrics, artworks, or retail inventory. You can illuminate your home or products in crisp, clean light and choose from a wide range of color temperatures to suit your preferences.

3. Long Life

Although, LED recessed lights tend to have a higher upfront cost than traditional can lights, they can last up to 25 times longer than incandescent. One LED light can last over a decade, which means you’ll waste far less money on replacement bulbs, and you can save yourself the inconvenience of regularly switching out bulbs in hard-to-reach locations.

4. Dimmable

Unlike some other energy efficient lighting options, LED recessed lights are completely dimmable and have no flickering. This feature is handy in both commercial and residential applications, as it’s an instant way to add mood, create different “zones” within a space, or save even more energy.

What to Consider Before Selecting an LED Recessed Light 

As mentioned, LED recessed lighting works well in a variety of locations, but you can get the best result by answering a few questions before installing your fixture.

1. Is the light for a remodel, retrofit, or new construction?

For remodel jobs, it’s best to use lighter weight fixtures that are designed to install directly into the ceiling material. On the other hand, for new construction, you may opt for heavier duty lights which attach to the ceiling supports. If you’re looking to retrofit existing can lights, you can find a comparable, LED product to work with your setup.

2. What is the shape of the ceiling, and will the light be used in a damp environment?

To accommodate sloped ceilings, you’ll need to match the housing and trim to the angle of the ceiling. Also, look for housings labeled as shower or wet location rated, if your fixture could be exposed to any water.

3. Will insulation come in contact with the housing?

Make sure and use IC rated housings if the unit will touch insulation. Otherwise, you can use non-IC housings.

Easy Process

The good news is, downlights are relatively easy to install. Even retrofits aren’t complicated as rewiring is typically not required, and you can fit the lamps into traditional sockets. So, if there’s a particular space in your business that’s always needed brightening, a wall you’ve always wanted to accentuate, or commercial products you’d like to highlight, consider adding a sleek, LED retrofit to your space.