1 RECESSED LIGHTING BUYING GUIDE A step-by-step guide to choose products and plan your kitchen lighting design properly Published by Yale Appliance + Lighting Updated January, 2017
R e c e s s e d L i g h t i n g Overview 2 Recessed lighting is often considered the main task and accent lighting for a room. Following are some terms and illustrations to provide insight into the industry, and make it easier to converse intelligently with electricians, contractors, designers and other trades people. Recessed lighting is separated into two pieces, the trim and the can. The can is the electrical piece that sits in the ceiling and the trim is the decorative part that is actually visible. Photo credit: Kenwood Builders via Houzz
R e c e s s e d L i g h t i n g Overview 3 The 4 Elements of Lighting Photo credit: Creative Design Construction, Inc. via Houzz
R e c e s s e d L i g h t i n g 4 What s New LED: Effective LED output has doubled from just 2014 to 2,000 lumens from just a 3 inch aperture. A 24 watt LED is now roughly equivalent to a 160 watt bulb. Small is the new Large: In 1970, the standard aperture was 6 inch. In 1990, the standard was reduced to 5, then 4 inch. Now you can buy a 1 inch LED aperture with better output then a 5 inch incandescent. Smaller is better, because it is less noticeable in your ceiling. Recommended Read: Best New LED Recessed Lights Watch Video: Best New LED Recessed 1 and 3 Lights Photo credit: AMI Designs via Houzz
R e c e s s e d L i g h t i n g Table of Contents 5 Click the circles to move between sections Terms Common terms you will hear while shopping for recessed lighting How to Buy How to plan your project and what to prioritize
6 About Yale Proud to be family owned and operated since 1923
7 TERMS Common terms you will hear while shopping for recessed lighting Photo credit: Conestoga Valley Custom Kitchens Inc./ Houzz
T e r m s New Work vs. Old Work 8 VS New Work vs. Old Work: Industry terms meaning if your ceiling is open or closed. The composition of the can changes depending on the installation. New Work / Open ceiling housings are simply bolted to the ceiling studs from the top. They are often more square in shape. For Old Work / Closed ceilings, a hole is drilled and the can is simply placed through.
T e r m s IC vs. Non-IC 9 IC-Rated vs. Non-IC Rated: Simply, some housings are designed to be in direct contact with insulation (IC-Rated) and some are not (Non-IC Rated) typically white. The cost difference is minimal and the IC-rated can does not allow air to infiltrate through the ceiling, thus making it more energy efficient.
Photo credit: Bunker Workshop via Houzz T e r m s 10 Diameter Diameter: The size of the trim and housing can vary from 1 to 6 in diameter. With the advent of more powerful LED, you do not need a larger diameter. For new construction, 1-4 would be appropriate. Proper sizing relates to the height of the ceiling. Normal ceilings, or those of about 8 or 9, can use 4 or 5 trims and housings. A 6 recessed light would be inappropriately sized for normal ceiling height. Watch Video: Best New LED Recessed 1 and 3 Lights
T e r m s 11 Trims Trims can come in a variety of styles and finishes to complete the application of your project. We discuss common styles of trims on the following pages. Photo credit: Yale Appliance
T e r m s 12 Ceiling Slope Angled or sloped ceilings require a specialized housing. Photo credit: Avante Interiors via Houzz
T e r m s 13 Baffle The standard trim for most applications, which features a louvered (or horizontally lined) metal. These are most commonly available in white, but are also available in other finishes as well. Photo credit: Houzz
T e r m s 14 Eyeball The eyeball trim protrudes slightly from the ceiling trim and is best used for accenting a wall (or wallwashing ) by angling the eye. There are more updated versions of the eyeball, such as the gimbal ring, the regressed eyeball, and the adjustable scoop. Eyeballs are frequently used to shine walls and accent other objects. Eyeballs of all forms including regressed eyeballs and scoops should be removed from your plan. Look for a trim with adjustable bulb sockets. Some trims can adjust as much as 35% within the trim. Photo credit: Houzz
T e r m s Cone vs. Pin Hole 15 VS Cone: This is also called a multiplier, it is anodized and more reflective than the baffle. Pin Hole: Accent trim allows less but more Focused light. There are a variety of trims which accent depending on the application. Photo credit: Houzz
For more information on the difference in watts, lumens, and energy savings, check out the chart below: 16 Yale Appliance + Lighting
T e r m s KelvinScale 17 Kelvin Scale is a color rating scale for bulbs. Sunlight and fluorescent are rated at 5000 degrees Kelvin. This is a harsh light and not good for the kitchen and bathroom. Incandescent is considered good at 2500 degrees and is very flattering, yellow light. Look for a bulb around 2500-3000 Kelvin for best effects.
T e r m s 18 Halogen Halogen is the most versatile bulb for recessed. It is available in smaller sizes for 3 and 4 sized recessed trims and housings. Halogen is a whiter light than regular incandescent and a cheaper option than low-voltage. Halogen for recessed is typically 120V, or line-voltage. The most commonly used version of the PAR type bulb halogen is the GU10 MR-16. Photo credit: Ward-Young Architecture & Planning via Houzz
T e r m s 19 LED LED Light Bulbs are considered the bulb of the future due to their longevity (15-25 years) and their efficiency (up to 10 times more efficient than incandescent). There are a couple different ways to use LED bulbs in a recessed application. LED Retrofit: There are LED replacement/retrofit housings for some sizes by Nora. These are available for 5 and 6 housings. Basically the retrofit kit plugs in to the existing housing, enabling the customer to use LED dependant trims. LED Dependent: LED dependent recessed housings are just that- they can only use LED bulbs. They require a special trim and housing. They are often available in different Kelvin units and usually include the light bulb. Photo credit: Bulhon Design Associates via Houzz
T e r m s 20 LED (cont.) LED Bulbs: Interested in LED but don t want to completely commit? Try replacing your incandescent bulb with an LED bulb. The LED bulb has evolved to include a base that fits into regular sockets and can dissipate heat better through the back fins. This is often the easiest and most cost-effective solution to purchase. Also, most sizes are currently available, so it is easy to retrofit existing fixtures. It s easy to upgrade almost any unit with an LED bulb. Photo credit: Bulhon Design Associates via Houzz
T e r m s LED and Low-Voltage 21 When comparing LED housings to low-voltage housings, there a few factors to consider. Low-voltage housings include a transformer within the fixture, which converts the 120V line voltage down to 12V. Low-voltage bulbs cast a whiter light than regular incandescent bulbs, and illuminate counters, tile, and cabinets better. However, low-voltage bulbs are still considered incandescent. They will heat to 300 degrees and have a life-span of about 7 months. Lowvoltage housings are around $50. LED housings include an LED driver within the fixture, which similarly to low-voltage, bring the voltage down so the LED bulb will work. However, an 11W LED bulb will emit more light than a 50W low-voltage bulb. Additionally, the LED bulbs are cooler than lowvoltage. The color renderings are improving, meaning the LED bulbs look closer to the same light that incandescent put out. LED light bulbs last a lot longer than low-voltage, averaging about 20 years. LED dependant housings start around $90. Photo credit: 186 Lighting Design Group via Houzz
22 How to Buy How to choose the right products for your home or project Photo credit: Charlie Allen Renovations / Houzz
R e c e s s e d L i g h t i n g 23 How to Buy First, stick with a smaller can of 4 to 5 inches on a normal ceiling. I like the baffle for kitchen and gimbal rings for accent a wall. In terms of bulbs, LED is the best and has a current payback of 2-3 years, and it is only improving. It s time to consider LED for efficiency, longevity and yearly annual savings. I love the new 1-3 inch for the best look in your ceiling. 4 inches offer less lumens but are more cost effective. Photo credit: Candlelight Homes via Houzz
H o w t o B u y 24 How to Apply It really depends on the room, ceiling height and objects to be illuminated. In a kitchen, we recommend placing lighting by the refrigerator and sink, because they are a high traffic areas. Placement of the recessed lights between the cabinets and counters is better for illuminating both. Never place a light source behind you to prevent shadowing. Roughly space recessed 4-5 feet apart. Photo credit: NKBA Puget Sound via Houzz
H o w t o B u y 25 How to Apply For bedrooms and baths, you want to focus and cross illuminate certain key points like the mirrors and bed. Recommended Read; How to Light a Bathroom with Recessed Lighting Recommended Read: Best Recessed Lighting for Wet Locations Recommended Read: How to Use Recessed Lighting for Wall Washing or Accenting Photo credit: Jason Dallas Design via Houzz
B u y i n g S t r a t e g i e s Wisdom of Crowds 26 Buy where you re comfortable There are tons of stores and products, but a limited number of consumers. Check review sites like Yelp, CitySearch, Google and the Better Business Bureau before you purchase. Remember, any store can sell an appliance; the biggest issues are shipping and service.
E x c l u s i v e O f f e r Appliance Delivery Checklist 27 Our free checklist will help you avoid a delivery nightmare. At the end, you will know what to ask from your local, national, or box store appliance dealer. Delivery is one of the biggest causes for your dissatisfaction. You need to be prepared. In the Delivery Checklist you ll learn: How to choose a dealer with a first class delivery experience Which questions to ask to spot a quality delivery team The importance of online reviews to help your appliance search Get the Free Appliance Delivery Checklist
28 ABOUT US Proud to be family owned and operated since 1923. Photo credit: Coupard Architects and Builders / Houzz
R e c e s s e d L i g h t i n g About Us 29 Since 1923 Family owned and operated since 1923. Now with two locations. Yale has been based in Boston for over 90 years and operates two showrooms; in Boston and Framingham. We operate the largest independent service and repair department in New England with 50 people and 21 service technicians. Our sales staff has an average of 7 years experience, and our staff chef can help you learn to use your new appliances. Schedule a Free Consultation with our Lighting Experts
A b o u t U s The Yale Difference 30 Sales Delivery Install Repair Browse our two 15,000 sq. ft. showrooms guided by our sales staff with 269 years of combined experience We bring the products right into your home, not just to the curb. Every delivery includes removal of the old appliance Our professional install team can hook up your new dishwasher or reconfigure your cabinets to accept a new wall oven 20 service techs on the road every day backed by our Yale Warranty. Service is the largest department at Yale
R e c e s s e d L i g h t i n g Contact Us 31 Showrooms Boston 296 Freeport St Framingham 215 Worcester Rd Contact Us 617-825-9253 help@yaleappliance.com yaleappliance.com Social Media Facebook.com/YaleApplianceLighting Twitter.com/MyYale YouTube.com/yaleappliance