Specialty Electric installs new recessed lighting and converts existing recessed cans to LED in homes across San Diego County. When California's energy code applies to your project, recessed downlights must be certified airtight, sealed to the ceiling, use JA8-certified LED light sources and have no screw-in sockets. That rule decides which conversion option fits your ceiling, so we check it first.
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Converting old recessed cans to LED
There are two common ways to take an older recessed can to LED. The first installs an LED retrofit into the existing housing. The second removes the old housing and installs an integrated LED fixture, where the light source, trim and housing are one listed unit.
Where there is no can, or very little space above the ceiling, a canless (wafer) light is often the cleanest option: a thin LED fixture with a remote driver that installs through a small round opening.
If your project falls under the energy code, the finished light cannot use a screw-in socket. In practice that usually points to an integrated fixture or a code-compliant canless light.
What California's energy code requires for recessed lights
Under California Energy Code §150.0(k)1C, luminaires recessed into ceilings must:
- have no screw-base lamp sockets;
- carry a label certifying they are airtight (less than 2.0 cfm at 75 Pascals, tested to ASTM E283);
- be sealed to the ceiling with a gasket or caulk, or installed per the manufacturer's instructions to stay airtight;
- meet the clearance and installation requirements of California Electrical Code 410.116.
All light sources installed in ceiling recessed downlights must also be JA8-certified. There are exceptions, for example fire-rated installations and non-insulated ceilings for the airtight rules.
Choosing trims, color and dimming
Trim style changes how a room reads: a bevel or baffle trim softens glare, a flat trim sits nearly flush, and a gimbal trim can be aimed at art or a counter. Color temperature matters as much as brightness, and many LED trims let the color be selected at installation.
Dimmers need attention too. Older dimmers built for incandescent loads can make LEDs flicker or buzz, so the dimmer should be one listed as compatible with the fixtures you choose.
You can compare recessed trim styles, sizes and finishes in person at the Fan Diego showroom's recessed trim display before you decide.
What to expect
- Permits
- When your job needs a permit, we pull it.
- Time on site
- It depends on the job. Most jobs are done in a day or less.
- Price
- Every job is quoted before we start. The price depends on how difficult the labor is, how long it takes, and the cost of materials.
- Brands we install
- Nora Lighting, Envision
- Guarantee
- We guarantee our labor for life. Period. Products bought from Fan Diego come with a 180-day in-home product warranty. Ask us about extended parts coverage on products from Fan Diego.
Bought it at Fan Diego? We'll pick up your fixtures and bring them on install day. Need it there on a specific date? We'll schedule delivery and installation together.
Not sure what size, or what will look right?
Book an in-home design consultation. An electrician comes to you, measures the room, checks the ceiling and wiring, and recommends exactly what you need. The consultation is $195, and $145 of it goes toward your installation when you book within 60 days.
Text (858) 229-4772 to book a consultation or message us on WhatsApp
Frequently asked questions
Can you convert my existing recessed cans to LED?
Usually, yes. Depending on the housing, the options are an LED retrofit in the existing can or replacing it with an integrated LED fixture. If your project falls under California's energy code, the finished light can't use a screw-in socket, which usually means an integrated fixture. We look at your housings and tell you which option fits.
What does California's energy code require for recessed lights?
Under §150.0(k)1C, recessed ceiling lights can't have screw-base sockets, must be labeled airtight (ASTM E283), must be sealed to the ceiling, and must meet California Electrical Code 410.116 clearances. The light sources in ceiling recessed downlights must be JA8-certified. Some fire-rated and non-insulated ceiling installations are exceptions to the airtight rules.
What is a canless or wafer light?
A canless, or wafer, light is a thin LED fixture with a small remote driver that installs through a round opening in the ceiling, with no separate can housing. It works well where there's little space above the ceiling or no existing can. Many are sold with an airtight rating and JA8 certification; the label on the fixture confirms it.
What color temperature should I choose?
Warm white, around 2700K to 3000K, is the most common choice for living rooms and bedrooms. 3500K to 4000K looks crisper and is often used in kitchens, garages and work areas. Many LED trims have a selector switch, so the color can be set at installation to match the rest of the room.
Will my existing dimmer work with LED recessed lights?
Not always. Dimmers designed for incandescent bulbs can make LEDs flicker, buzz or dim unevenly. The fix is a dimmer listed as compatible with the LED fixtures you choose. Matching the dimmer to the lights is part of planning the job, not something to find out after the ceiling is patched.
Can I see recessed trims before I choose?
Yes. The Fan Diego showroom has a recessed trim display where you can compare trim styles, sizes and finishes side by side, and see how they look lit, before we schedule your installation.
How much does recessed lighting installation cost in San Diego?
Every job is quoted before we start, so we don't publish a flat price. Three things set it: how difficult the labor is (for example, attic access and whether new wiring has to be run), how long the job takes, and the cost of the fixtures and materials you choose. Call or use the form below to get a quote for your rooms.
Do you pull permits, and how long does the work take?
When your job needs a permit, we pull it. Whether one is needed depends on the scope of the work, so we tell you when we quote. Most jobs are done in a day or less; a larger job, such as new lights in several rooms, can take longer, and we give you the time with the quote.