Home Remodel: Do, Don'ts, Advice

[riser4]

Tried tgat, hasn't been reliable so far. What I could find is that the boxes (ballasts?) on each can are not compatible with dimmable LED. There's no way I really want to rip those out because they are not easily accessible. So is there going to be a conversion kit that will even do what I want? I see kits, online but have no clue.

[spanky]

Home Depot sells these “inserts”

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Commerci...-259/314018779

The Commercial Electric 5/6 in. Color temperature select LED downlight is an easy way to upgrade your existing can lights to the sleek look of recessed lighting and LED energy efficient technology. These LED downlights are compatible with most dimmer switches and are equipped with a unique color temperature (CCT) changing technology.

[nickwm21]

Tried tgat, hasn't been reliable so far. What I could find is that the boxes (ballasts?) on each can are not compatible with dimmable LED. There's no way I really want to rip those out because they are not easily accessible. So is there going to be a conversion kit that will even do what I want? I see kits, online but have no clue.

If you can get the old fixture and ballast out and just pop in a modern LED can it will work.

You “should” be able to dissect the old housing, pull it out and yank out the old ballast without cutting drywall. Seems possible.


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[riser4]

That was my first instinct. However, it really looks like I'd make a huge mess of the drywall ceiling or have to cut a lot of metal. The hole in the ceiling appears smaller than the diameter of the can as the end of it is above the level of the ceiling. They are in a drywalled feature running around the outside of the kitchen that is lower than the actual ceiling. Im pretty sure they installed these things first from the side, and then cut the holes from below, sealed up the "box" around them. I cant upload a picture. Im not at all willing to try and cut metal in a narrow opening above my face. The HD retrofit kits are probably my best bet.

[Foggy_Goggles]

Well yeah Riser, that's how it is done. Goggle "new construction recessed lights" and you'll see that the cans are suspended on 2 bars between the framing.

This video does a decent job of showing what you are most likely dealing with https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgA35NoPS88

Short story: kill the breaker, take you the bulb, pull down on the trim ring, defeat the springs, find the tabs that hold the baffle to the socket, defeat that.

Now you should know what you got and can purchase a retro kit that looks like it works.

[Name Redacted]

Yeah, those LEDs are pretty nice. I have a few samples laying around. I've been trying to figure out how to replace some track lighting in my kitchen in them for a while. Not sure if I ever will though because we have other challenges. But if I could, those put out much better light than the old bulbs. Offer more adjustability.

[climberevan]

You should be able to get there with dimmable bulbs and a led rated dimmer switch but might have to do some trial and error for a combo that works.

Indeed. The led dimming industry is still not fully mature. The Lutron dimmers i have in my own home fail after a couple of years. Clients have not complained, though, so maybe i just got a couple of lemons.

I'm my bus, the 12v PWM dimmers i found on aliexpress have been perfect. Nice smooth dimming with no flicker in the puck or strips.

[Rideski]

I have some fairly old standard dimmer switches in my house. I tried some higher end bulbs and they all flickered or made noise. Having pretty good luck ironically with Walmart brand. They haven't flickered or made noise and are a warm light which I like instead of blue.

[mcski]

I was in the hardware store the other day and had some sticker shock looking at led dimmers and gfci plugs. That shit adds up fast as I looked longingly at the 3prong discount plugs lol

[Thaleia]

Last time I had an HVAC tech out they noticed I was using the stock washable slash resuable air filter and mentioned I should just use a cheap disposable filter, so I've been doing that lately. Now that I'm buying disposable filters I see theres super thick filters so Im wondering if theres any benifit to ditching the electro static and casstte filters as well? (yes I know that sounds dumb)

EDIT I edited the aspostrophies out and it is still a mess sorry

[singlesline]

Indeed. The led dimming industry is still not fully mature. The Lutron dimmers i have in my own home fail after a couple of years. Clients have not complained, though, so maybe i just got a couple of lemons.

I'm my bus, the 12v PWM dimmers i found on aliexpress have been perfect. Nice smooth dimming with no flicker in the puck or strips.

Lutron has a bulb compatibility tool, but it sucks ass to use (makes the TGR search function look pro) and there's no way they can keep up with the proliferation of new models/brands in the LED bulb space:
https://intl.lutron.com/en-US/Pages/...atibility.aspx

Still, might find something there. Some dimmers are better than others, some bulbs are better than others. Some combos just don't like each other.

[californiagrown]

We have BIG tall windows at the front of our house facing the street making up most of the front facade and we love them because they let in lots of natural light... which is nice in the PNW where its dark for 9months a year. However, they are BIG tall windows that face the street and everyone walking their dog sees straight into our living room and dining room especially when its dark out and we have lights on inside. What are people's thoughts on putting a tint/reflective coating on the windows? I see it on office buildings everywhere, but never on residential houses. What are the pros/cons, and are there any cool products or solutions to know about to give us some privacy while still letting in natural light (i.e. not blinds/curtains)?

[Name Redacted]

Bottom up blinds. We have the tint on one of our condos that face west causing it to heat up in the summer afternoons. Works great for keeping the heat down. Not as concerned about the privacy since it is top floor and no one can see in anyway, but if we were, it would be sufficient I think. Maybe just lean into it and put a big French leg lamp in the front window.

[singlesline]

We have BIG tall windows at the front of our house facing the street making up most of the front facade and we love them because they let in lots of natural light... which is nice in the PNW where its dark for 9months a year. However, they are BIG tall windows that face the street and everyone walking their dog sees straight into our living room and dining room especially when its dark out and we have lights on inside. What are people's thoughts on putting a tint/reflective coating on the windows? I see it on office buildings everywhere, but never on residential houses. What are the pros/cons, and are there any cool products or solutions to know about to give us some privacy while still letting in natural light (i.e. not blinds/curtains)?

Reflective tint doesn't work at night when your lights are on, but is not a bad idea if you have concerns about daytime visibility.

Otherwise, echoing the answer of blinds that adjust from both top and bottom. We have them in every room of the house and even on the second story I find them nice. Our place came with the Graber brand ones that I see them selling at the costco checkout lane and they seem nice enough. Easy to block street-walker line of sight but preserve much of your view and natural light from inside.

You can also try sheer roller shades--you can still sort of see through them when you're close, but people looking in won't see much. Similar night time problems to the reflective tint, but you can get a dual-roller system and let down a non-transparent shade once it is dark outside.

Or just act like a rich person: https://robbreport.com/shelter/space...en-1235497395/

[californiagrown]

Or just act like a rich person: https://robbreport.com/shelter/space...en-1235497395/

I walk around in my underwear downstairs all the time, sometimes i walk naked from showering through the living room to get some clean clothes from the dryer. I have no qualms about making my nakedness public- EVERYONE wants to see that. But the interior of our house looks like a 3/4yr old lives there and we dont need to be showing THAT off.

Sounds like if i went with a tint/reflectiv coating i could have the bottom blinds open during the day, and then at night i could raise the blinds. Then id be 100% covered with maximum natural light.