BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Wrong – Insulation is in direct contact with this non-insulation contact (IC)-rated recessed light fixture

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Air seal and insulate light tube

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Insulating and Air Sealing Existing Non-ICAT Recessed Lights

Guide

Guide describing how to air seal and insulate a non-ICAT recessed "can" light from an accessible attic in an existing home.

This IR camera image shows a recessed can light that is well sealed and insulated.

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Right – The top of the enclosure over this recessed can light remains clear of attic insulation

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Wrong - IR image shows a lack of air-sealing and insulation around a ceiling light fixture.

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Right – The insulating enclosure over this non-IC rated recessed light fixture is centered and air sealed

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Install a sealed enclosure over a non-IC rated recessed light fixture to air-seal the can and to prevent insulation from touching the recessed can light.

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The very dark area around the recessed light fixture indicates significant heat loss while the purple streaks radiating out indicate air leakage; the purple area around the heating register to the left indicates heat loss likely due to missing insulation

The very dark area around the recessed light fixture shows significant heat loss while the purple streaks radiating out indicate air leakage; the purple area around the heating register (left) indicates heat loss likely due to missing insulation

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Air Sealing Light Tubes

Guide

Guide describing how to air-seal around light tubes.

Air Sealing Recessed Light Fixtures Below Unconditioned Space

Guide

Guide describing how to air-seal around recessed light fixtures below unconditioned space.

Existing Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach County, Lake Worth, Florida

Case Study

Case study describing an energy efficient retrofit project in hot-humid climates.

DOE ZERH 2013 Case Study: e2 Homes Winter Park, Florida [2-page summary version]

Case Study

Case study describing the first certified DOE Zero Energy Ready Home—the “Wilson Residence” in Winter Park, Florida.

DOE ZERH HIA 2013 Case Study: Preferred Builders, Old Greenwich, Connecticut

Case Study

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2013 Housing Innovation Award Winner in Old Greenwich CT, that scored HERS 42 without PV and HERS 20 with PV.

DOE ZERH HIA 2013 Case Study: e2 Homes, Winter Park, Florida

Case Study

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2013 Housing Innovation Award Winner in Winter Park FL that scored HERS 57 without PV or HERS -7 with PV.

Kick the Can! No Recessed Lights in the Building Envelope

Reference

Article discussing the downside to recessed can lights.

Air Sealing Retrofits: Conducting an IR Camera Inspection of an Existing Home - Recess Lighting

Video

Video showing how to use an infrared camera to check for air leakage around recessed can lights during a blower door test in winter.

High Performance Builder Spotlight: Treasure Homes Inc.

Case Study

Case study describing the family-run Treasure Homes that achieved a HERS rating of 46 without PV on its prototype “Gem” home, located on the blustery shores of Lake Michigan in northern Indiana.

Building America Case Study Technology Solutions for Existing Homes: Bedford Farmhouse High Performance Retrofit Prototype

Case Study

Case study describing project conducted by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell (HfHGL) and Building Science Corporation (BSC).

DOE ZERH HIA 2014 Case Study: Imery Group Proud Green Home, Serenbe, GA

Case Study

Case study describing the first DOE Zero Energy Ready Home in Georgia that achieved a HERS score of 40 without PV and -10 with PV.

DOE ZERH HIA 2014 Case Study: One Sky Homes, Cottle Zero Net Energy Home, San Jose, CA

Case Study

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2014 Housing Innovation Award winner that scored HERS 69 without PV and -1 with PV.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Lancaster County Career and Technology Center Green Home 3 - Mount Joy, Pennsylvania

Case Study

Case study describing the Green Home 3 project, which achieved a 44% whole-house energy savings over the Building America New Construction B10 Benchmark, DOE Zero Energy Ready Home certification, and National Green Building Standard Gold-level certification.

DOE ZERH HIA 2014 Case Study: M Street Homes, Smartlux on Greenpark Houston, TX

Case Study

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2014 Housing Innovation Award winner that scored HERS 45 without PV and 32 with PV and is the first home in the world to use a tri-generation system to supply electricity, heating, and cooling on site.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Schneider Homes, Inc., Village at Miller Creek, Burien, WA

Case Study

Case study describing new home construction in the marine climate that achieved 50% savings over the 2004 IECC.