Everything You Need to Know About Recessed LED Lighting

 Discover how recessed LED lighting works and how you can access all of the upgraded lighting control system features

One of the most popular types of lighting used in commercial spaces is recessed lighting. Recessed lighting is a type of lighting that positions the lighting fixture flush within the ceiling. You have likely encountered this kind of lighting in retail spaces or maybe even someone’s home. These fixtures are perfect for a whole host of lighting applications and provide ample ambient light to any commercial space.

A great way to improve basic recessed lighting is by using LEDs. LED lights have become the top choice for many architects and developers in recent years for a number of reasons. First, LEDs are able to deliver superior lightning quality. By installing LEDs in as a part of a development or a retrofit, companies can also take advantage of the energy savings. Compared to other lighting systems like incandescent or fluorescent lights, LEDs operate on a far lower voltage. This means that businesses can achieve modern, clean lighting landscapes while also working toward sustainability goals. Working with lighting control retailers, developers can also add automation elements to the system in order to further simplify your everyday lighting. If you are ready to learn everything you need to know about recessed LED lighting, then we recommend you keep reading. We’re covering everything from how to choose the right fixtures to the different features companies can access with an updated lighting control system. Let’s dive in!

What Are the Most Common Applications for Recessed Lights?

Recessed lights come in a variety of different designs.

Recessed lights—when paired with a lighting control system—offer intuitive ambient lighting for commercial properties. Recessed lighting is one of the most versatile styles of lighting that exists. Since most recessed lights are used for ambient lighting, the applications are endless. Recessed lights are also able to disappear into the profile of the ceiling—or wherever the light fixture is placed. Because of this recessed lights most frequently appear in commercial spaces that require ambient lighting that doesn’t interfere with interior design elements.

A few places you can expect to find recessed lighting is in restaurants, hotels, retail stores, and care facilities. Something that all of these places have in common is that they aspire to make any visitor feel comfortable in the space—which is exactly why recessed lighting is so popular. 

In some cases, recessed lighting fixtures can even be used for task lighting purposes. When recessed lights are used for task lighting, they can only illuminate spaces that are not too far away from the ceiling, meaning that the ceilings cannot be too high. A hotel front desk or a bar may benefit from recessed task lighting as do restrooms and other smaller spaces. 

Now that we’ve learned a little bit about how recessed lighting functions in different types of businesses, it’s time to talk about how LEDs and lighting control systems work together to automate recessed lighting fixtures. 

What is the Best Way to Use LEDs for Recessed Lighting?

Find out how your business can install LED lighting fixtures whether it is for a brand new development of a retrofit

An example of the head and bulb removed from the ceiling.

If your business is considering installing recessed lighting using LEDs, there are two routes that you can take. The first avenue we’ll explore is retrofitting LED lights. For an existing space, a retrofit is by far the best way to save money while still getting the benefits from LEDs and lighting control systems. 

Retrofitting

In some cases, retrofitting a lighting fixture for an LED is as easy as removing the original bulb and the original trim. From there, either you or a contractor can replace the old fixture with an LED adapter. Once the LED adapter is installed into the recessed lighting fixture, all you have to do is replace the trim and screw in an LED light bulb. If you aren’t interested in optimizing your lighting control system then you can use a regular LED bulb. However, if you are interested in saving money and time by automating your lighting, then you should opt for smart light bulbs that are WiFi capable. Not only do these bulbs help businesses save energy and offer automation capabilities, they also require far less maintenance than older lighting methods. Using LEDs, all your building management team needs to remember is to dust the bulbs every few months to prevent dust from altering the quality of light. Since LEDs last longer than other lighting methods, you will also save money on replacements.

Complete Remodel or New Construction

When it comes to new construction or remodels, the process becomes a little bit more complicated. Since you are installing brand new lighting fixtures, you need to make sure you are choosing the right ones for your space. As you are choosing your fixtures, you need to consider the purpose of each recessed light. For example, you want to make sure that you are choosing the right kind of housing and trim style to compliment your LED lights. 

Before we get ahead of ourselves, however, we need to go define what “housing” is when it comes to recessed lighting. Housing refers to the part of the fixture that rises into the ceiling and conceals the actual light. Depending on the type of lighting fixture you choose, the housing of the light will look slightly different.

These housing and trim styles are often sold in kits that developers can use to install new fixtures. The kits are available in a variety of sizes and are able to accommodate different styles of recessed lighting including task lighting.

What is the Installation Process Like For Recessed LED Lights?

For both a retrofit and a new construction, LED lights allow for a streamlined installation process

LEDs are far less expensive and far less dangerous to install.

Another major advantage of choosing LED lights for recessed lighting is the ease of installation. We already briefly touched on how easy the retrofit process is, so in this section we will be discussing new installation. One of the biggest advantages of new LED installations is that LED lights are able to provide superior lighting at a far lower voltage. In the past, fluorescent lights—especially ones being installed for commercial spaces—required technicians to deal with high voltage cables to provide enough energy for the lighting package. This drove up installation costs due to the inherent danger present when working with high voltage cables. Due to the necessary safety precautions, the duration of the installation is also longer.

By installing LED recessed lights, businesses can circumvent working with high voltage cable while saving money and time. LEDs require little enough energy that they can be powered by Ethernet cables. When lights are powered by Ethernet cables, businesses are able to establish a PoE (Power over Ethernet) lighting control system to further improve their lighting setup.

One of the biggest advantages of new LED installations is that LED lights are able to provide superior lighting at a far lower voltage. In the past, fluorescent lights—especially ones being installed for commercial spaces—required technicians to deal with high voltage cables to provide enough energy for the lighting package. This drove up installation costs due to the inherent danger present when working with high voltage cables. Due to the necessary safety precautions, the duration of the installation is also longer.

By installing LED recessed lights, businesses can circumvent working with high voltage cable while saving money and time. LEDs require little enough energy that they can be powered by Ethernet cables. When lights are powered by Ethernet cables, businesses are able to establish a PoE (Power over Ethernet) lighting control system to further improve their lighting setup.

Overall, recessed LED lighting has a number of important applications and advantages over other lighting systems. In general, any lighting application with LEDs will be superior to older lighting methods. Recessed lighting is important for any business to properly create ambient lighting or task lighting. When used in tandem, recessed LEDs can improve your overall lighting profile and help your business save money on both installation and energy costs.