When renovating a room or a property, we might think that the design and functionality of the refurbishment is the priority. However, for most people, the next thing to consider is the cost. Though the overall effect of recessed lighting is exuberant and luxurious, it is a little known fact that recessed lighting can actually provide decent cost savings.
Therefore, this blog will talk you through all of the most commonly asked questions about recessed lighting, before exploring, in-depth, the costs associated with it. So, if you are looking for accurate facts and figures to show the cost savings of recessed lighting, let’s take a look.
Are you considering having recessed lighting in your property? Then get in touch with the team at Vision Lighting today. Our Leeds-based experts can answer all of your questions and provide you with a personalised quote. Get in touch by emailing info@vision-lighting.co.uk.
What Is Recessed Lighting?
Sometimes known as pot lights, recessed lighting is a light fixture that is mounted flush with the ceiling. In other words, recessed lights are ceiling lights that you cannot see - they are designed to be installed so that they are not visible. Recessed lighting is ideal for use in bathrooms or kitchens, or in rooms that have low ceilings.
This means that the wiring of the lights is contained within the ceiling void, along with the casing and the bulb itself. However, the part that emits the light remains visible, usually covered by a decorative trim to enhance the appearance of them. The hole for the fitting has to be drilled straight into the ceiling drywall, with the wire either fed through the ceiling or the attic space of the property, away from the naked eye.
Depending on the room that the recessed lighting is installed in, you may need fire rated fittings to meet regulations. If the holes are drilled into fire boards (often present in a kitchen ceiling), then the correct fire rated fitting will be required. We always recommend that the fire safety and building regulations are checked before any recessed lighting is installed.
At Vision Lighting, we sell downlights that are fire rated for all fireboards, so you are guaranteed to find the right lights at Vision Lighting. Additionally, we supply a range of downlights in different styles to suit the desired effect you wish to achieve.
How Is Recess Lighting Installed?
1. Cut a hole in the ceiling
Option A:
Mark the planned locations of the lights, using any template that should have been provided with the lights. Make sure that none of these proposed holes conflicts with a ceiling joist or ceiling frame. Check above the ceiling for access, typically in the attic space, making sure there are no obstructions, wires, ceiling insulation, pipes, and so on that could be damaged by the hole. Drill into the centre of the proposed hole, before extending to the correct diameters with a saw.
Option B:
Follow the same safety precautions as mentioned in option A. However, for a time-saving trick, invest in a hole-saw bit for your drill, a hole-cutting drill bit, or a specialist hole saw. Simply use the hole cutter to create compatible holes in the ceiling.
2. Roughly run through the wiring
Run the cable from the power source to a switch box, and then to the first hole. Leave around 18 inches of extra cable for ease. Then, run the cable from the first to the second hole, second to the third, and so on, until the wires are all roughly in the right positions.
3. Wire the light
Run the required cables to the junction box and clamp them so they are secure. Use a wire stripper to remove some of the insulation and begin to connect the wires. It is essential that black wires match to black, white wires to white, and ground wires to ground.
4. Mount the light
Fit the ‘can’ section of the light into the hole. This is typically fixed into place using built-in clips or clamps.
5. Add a trim
Most recessed lights come with a trim that blends into the ceiling, smoothing out the overall finish. Hook or push the trim into position, ensuring that it is securely fastened in place.
6. Install the light bulb
Once everything else is done, the final touch is to add the light bulbs of your choice. The light bulb you choose depends on how warm you want the light to be, the ceiling height, and how much power the circuit can handle.
Although installing recessed lights yourself might seem like the most cost-effective way, it is always worth having a professional installation from a qualified electrician for your peace of mind, safety, and efficiency.
What Can Recessed Lighting Be Used for?
Recessed lighting can be a stylish addition to any lighting plan or ceiling design, leaving your room with a clean ceiling finish and effortless elegance. These lights can provide ample lighting for any room, giving you option after option for your potential aesthetic applications.
Recessed lighting is extremely popular for kitchens with every light bulb shining down on an essential appliance that you didn’t want to leave in the dark. In addition to its practicality, recessed lighting can also be used as accent lighting, highlighting the beauty of your kitchen and its cabinets.
Another popular way that recessed lighting is used is after an attic conversion. This is because it is perfect for sitting flat within the roof, setting off any canister lights or skylights, and bringing that ultra-modern style to your new room. It also works very well as task lighting, making it perfect for an attic home office.
How Much Does It Cost to Install Recessed Lighting?
The cost of recessed lighting installation can fluctuate, as it depends on many different factors.
1. Do your lights need to be replaced or installed from scratch?
If your property already has a circuit of pre-existing wiring where it is required, it is likely that your lighting installation will be more cost-effective. This is because you would not have to pay for a whole new set of electrical connections, electrical panel, breaker box, and so on to be installed.
That being said, if you are remodelling your house, it might be that you need to have your property rewired in order to update the circuitry. Older electrical circuits must be maintained and replaced, when necessary, as these wires are more at risk of faults and hazards. It is important to also consider whether the light fitting has an integrated light source (non-removable), as this may impact the cost.
2. How many lights, and where do you want them?
It goes without saying that the price of your lighting installation will increase proportionately depending on how many bulbs you require. In addition to that, the placement of your lighting can bump up the price range.
This is because more labour and equipment would be required if the lighting was required to be in a hard-to-reach place with obstacles such as ceiling joists to contend with. A light location with ample access is likely to be an easier job, and therefore cheaper. Somewhere further away from a power source will require more problem solving (and extra cable), and so this may be another reason the price might go up.
You should also be aware that the room you wish to install lighting in will also have an impact on the cost. For example, in a kitchen, the space needs to be brightly illuminated, which will require numerous fittings or brighter fittings.
3. What bulbs and switches do you want?
There are many different types of bulbs and switches to choose from, and the one that you go for can either increase or decrease the average cost of your recessed lighting installation. For example, going for a more expensive type of light bulb with increased capabilities, such as compatibility with a smart recessed lighting system, can increase the cost significantly.
This is because the cost of materials will be higher, plus the licensed electricians will be required to have done more specialist training to be able to install this lighting. Similarly, a lighting plan that has a light switch with a dimmer switch will be more costly than the average light switch.
4. How efficient are your bulbs?
It is a shocking fact that only 10% of energy in traditional light bulbs is turned into light. The other 90% is lost as heat, wasting a huge amount of energy in your house. On the other hand, an LED bulb converts 90% of the energy to light. Therefore, switching to LED light bulbs and energy-efficient lighting can save you a lot of money in the long run.
The best way to work out if you are getting an efficient LED product/bulb is to look out for the Lumens Per Watt metric advertised either on the products page or on any downloadable product data sheets. If this isn’t a listed metric, it can be calculated simply by dividing the Lumens by the number of Watts of the fitting or bulb. The higher this number the better. An average LED bulb in today's market operates at around 100 Lumens per Watt, with more premium products operating at 120 Lumens per Watt or above.
5. Type of housing
Older houses are typically harder for electricians to work with, and therefore the job can be more time consuming and costly. However, a lighting installation in newer or basic housing can be extremely simple and cost-effective.
With all this in mind, here are the key facts clearly laid out for your reference*:
| Low Cost | High Cost | Average Cost |
| Recessed lighting cost per room | £100 | £300 | £200 |
| Cost for supply and installation of traditional lights | £300 | £500 | £400 |
| Cost saving of recessed lighting per room | £200 | £200 | £200 |
*All figures for recessed lighting and downlights are ballpark averages and correct at the time of publishing.
Get in Touch with Vision Lighting for More Handy Hints, Tips, and Advice
For all your recessed lighting needs, look no further than Vision Lighting. Browse through our wide range of quality lighting products, and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.