Light fixtures are a necessity for every home and establishment. Without light, well, there will be darkness. But sometime you will find there is insulation on your fixture.
This raises a lot of questions in mind. Will it catch on fire? Why is there insulation in my light fixture? Should you remove it? And so on.
Today we are going to talk about why there is insulation in your light fixture in detail.
Why Is There Insulation in My Light Fixture | Explained
The first thing that comes to mind when you find out that your light fixture has insulation is, will it catch on fire? It is obvious as any light fixture causes heating and that might lead to fire accidents.
But having that insulation does the opposite. It prevents fire and more.
Here are the reasons behind insulation in a light fixture.
To Protect the Ceiling
The first reason that your light fixture has insulation is to protect the ceiling itself. Not all ceilings are built with cement and most of them have decor underneath them. This decor is mostly built with flammable substances like paper and wood scraps.
So to prevent any accidental fires, light fixtures have insulation around the base of the ceiling. This helps the heat to dissipate faster and prevents any accidents from happening.
To Protect the Electrical Wires
Every light bulb is an electrical wire powering it up. It might be out of sight, but it is there.
As the wires are hidden behind the wall and ceiling, you won’t notice them being damaged.
The lights that are kept on for a long time can heat up its base and anything behind it. Mainly the wires. Though electrical wires come with heat-insulated coatings, a long time of exposure to heat on a daily basis can cause the coating to melt.
This might lead to fire or other damage around your home. The light insulation can prevent this from happening.
Better Use of Energy
All light bulbs heat up when they work. This not only damages the ceiling and the lights socket but also uses up a lot of electricity.
The insulation behind a light fixture prevents the loss of energy and keeps everything working smoothly. This is very beneficial in colder regions where the light takes time to warm up.
The insulation works as an insulator and energy saver at the same time.
Quick Cooling
When a light bulb is working for a long time, the socket and light fixture heats up rapidly. With the insulation in place, the heat dissipates faster cooling down its surrounding.
This prolongs the light’s life alongside giving out perfect bright light to your surrounding.
Reduce Moisture Buildup in Cold Regions
We all know how foggy it gets inside a car in the winter. You have to use the heater to keep everything in check and melt down the fog buildup.
The same thing happens to a light bulb fixture in colder regions. The moisture buildup is evident as there are a lot of water substances in the air. And the heat of the light let it gather around the socket area. The insulator reduces moisture keeping the fixture, wiring, and light safe all at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I remove insulation from the light fixture?
If you do not have any problem fitting your light bulb or socket cover, then you should not remove the insulation from your fixture. The insulation keeps the temperature in control, dissipates the heat faster, prevents electrical wire damage, and reduces moisture.
Can the insulation in a light fixture catch fire?
Although it is pretty rare, there is a possibility that the insulation of our light fixture can catch on fire. This can happen for a few reasons. Accidental sparks due to poor connection, moisture, and electrical overflow are a few of the reasons the insulation can catch fire.
How to keep insulation off can lights?
To take off the insulation from your can lights, you have to go under your light fixture. This may mean going in the attic or under the roof board. Remove the sealant from the back first and then the cover around it. And then the insulation will be easy to take off.
How to insulate a ceiling light fixture?
To insulate a ceiling light fixture, you have to use wooden planks to create a box on top of your ceiling. Then insert glass fiber in the box and on top of your light fixture.
Conclusion
Insulated light fixtures are not used all around the country. It is mainly used in places where it is needed the most. Otherwise, in places where the weather is humid, it is unsafe to use them. So if you have a fixture that has insulation and lives in a humid climate region, make sure to remove them before using your light.
