Tag Archive for: light fixtures

change-ugly-recessed-lights

Do you have those old discolored recessed can lights in your home that use big hot flood bulbs? If so, it’s time for an upgrade!

Update Ugly Recessed Can Lights with Energy Efficient LED
How to Update Ugly Recessed Can Lights with Energy Efficient LED Lights

Today I want to show you how to update ugly recessed can lights with energy saving LED recessed lights. This process is quick and easy, not to mention the new lights will look better, last longer, and save you money on your energy bill! What more could you want? Change out all your ugly recessed lights in no time by following this simple tutorial.

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Instructions:

Here is what my old lights look like. Not only are they ugly, but they use the large flood light bulbs that use too much energy, radiate heat, and burn out quickly. I don’t know about you, but I am tired of changing these burned out bulbs.

Update Ugly Recessed Can Lights with Energy Efficient LED

Want to see how quickly you can change out your lights? Here’s a one minute video (that’s how fast you can do it):

The first step to replacing these recessed lights is to remove the light bulb by simply unscrewing it from the socket. Unless you’re extraordinarily tall, you’ll probably need a step ladder for this project.

Update Ugly Recessed Can Lights with Energy Efficient LED

Next, find two small springs inside the baffle, as shown in photo below. They look like a wire with a loop in the center. Pull up and out on the springs to release the baffle inside your can light.

Update Ugly Recessed Can Lights with Energy Efficient LED

Remove the trim by simply pulling it off the ceiling.

Update Ugly Recessed Can Lights with Energy Efficient LED

Grab your new retrofit LED recessed light and screw the adapter into the light bulb socket, exactly as you would screw in a light bulb. It’s that easy!

Update Ugly Recessed Can Lights with Energy Efficient LED

Inside the opening, find two metal clips. Squeeze the spring hinges on your LED light and insert them into the clips inside the old recessed can. These will hold the light in place.

Update Ugly Recessed Can Lights with Energy Efficient LED

Finally, gently push your light up into the ceiling. Believe it or not, you’re done!

Update Ugly Recessed Can Lights with Energy Efficient LED

Now you have a beautiful, white, and energy-efficient LED recessed light. Take some time to admire it.

Update Ugly Recessed Can Lights with Energy Efficient LED

Now you can easily change out all the can lights in the room and voila, your lighting is upgraded! This is such a quick, easy, and inexpensive project. There is no point in putting it off any longer.

Update Ugly Recessed Can Lights with Energy Efficient LED

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Feel free to share any questions or thoughts in the comment section below. Thank you for reading!

Update Ugly Recessed Can Lights with Energy Efficient LED

Liked this project? I know you’ll love these other lighting upgrades:

Update Ugly Recessed Can Lights with Energy Efficient LED

Change Out a Dated Hollywood Strip Light

 

Update Ugly Recessed Can Lights with Energy Efficient LED

How to Convert a Recessed Can Light to Accept a Hard-Wired Light

15 electrical fixes any homeowner can make social media image

15 Electrical Fixes Any Homeowner Can Make

Electrical work can be scary, even for seasoned DIYers who haven’t delved into electricity. Many people have a fear of electrocution or fear of burning their house down. There are definitely times to hire a licensed electrician (when adding new wiring or outlets or working with dryer or stove 240 volt circuits.) But, there are so many electrical fixes and updates you can make as a homeowner! All you need to know are the tools needed, what the wire colors mean, and how to turn off the circuit. The rest is easy! Here are 15 Electrical Fixes Any Homeowner Can Make. I hope you like these projects and they help you take on some basic home owner electrical changes!


How to Install a New Chandelier

How to Install a New Chandelier.

 

How to Hide Wires Behind a Wall Mounted TV

How to Hide the Wires, Install, and Mount Your TV 


How to Add a Switch to a Light Fixture

How to Add a Switch to a Light Fixture

 

How to Convert a Recessed Light to Accept a Hardwire Fixture

How to Convert a Recessed Light to Accept a Hardwire Fixture

 

How to Install Landscape Lights and Repel Mosquitoes

How to Install Landscape Lights

 

How to Install the Most Beautiful Ceiling Fan I Ever Laid Eyes Upon

How to Install a Ceiling Fan

 

Replace an Old Ugly Outlet with a New One

 

Replacing an Old Hollywood Strip Light with a New Fixture

 

How to Add an Outlet Extender

How to Add an Outlet Extender

 

How to Install Radiant Floor Heating using WarmlyYours

How to Install Radiant Floor Heating

 

 

How to Install Recessed Lights

How to Install Recessed Lights

 

How to Install a Hard-Wired Pendant Light

How to Install a Hard-Wired Pendant Light

 

How to Install a Light Occupancy Sensor 3 Way Switch.

How to Install a Light Occupancy Sensor

 

How do Install a Cable Outlet

How to Install a Cable Outlet

 

Converting a Recessed Light to a Pendant

Converting a Recessed Light to a Pendant

 

What do you think? Could you do these projects, or have you? What other electrical fixes are great for DIYers? I’d love to read your comments.

If you like this collection, please Pin this image to share with others:

15 electrical fixes any homeowner can make pinterest image

 

 

Hanging A Barnlight Tutorial

Hanging a barn light tutorialHow to Hang A Barn Light

Hi everyone, it’s Dean from Diane and Dean today. I can’t wait to show you how to hang a barn light. Some may call it an obsession, but I  like to think of it as a significant interest! What is it? Exterior lighting! Most homeowners may not think much further beyond function, but exterior lighting can REALLY make a difference to the curb appeal of your home.

With fewer choices for lighting fixtures on the outside of the house (compared to the inside), getting the right light fixture is important. Like most typical homes, our’s came with the gratuitous flood light circa 1980. The light was mounted in a highly visible spot over a walkway to the paver patio and pergola. Unfortunately, the flood light lacked everything but function!

Hanging A Barnlight Tutorial

For a long time, I have been eyeballing gooseneck barn lights. They remind me of my summers in eastern Pennsylvania spent on my cousin’s dairy farm. These fixtures aren’t the most economical in price, but the prominent spot dictated reaching a little further into the old wallet. After placing the order with a local company, that makes replica fixtures by hand, I anxiously waited for its arrival!

Here it is fresh out of the box, and it looks pretty simple to install because it is simple to install!

How To Hang An Exterior Barnlight

Let’s get to it and I’ll show you How to Hang a Barn Light!

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Instructions:

Step 1:  Turn off the power at the circuit breaker. (It’s a good idea to turn the light on before you turn off the circuit. Then you can visually verify that the power is indeed turned off to the light.)

Step 2:  Unscrew the cover off of the flood light (or whatever fixture you are replacing.) Pull the wires out of the junction box. Unscrew the wire nuts. Discard or recycle the old fixture and throw away the old wire nuts. (I like to replace the wire nuts when installing new fixtures because they are inexpensive and it insures a good connection.)

Hanging A Barnlight Tutorial

The gooseneck barn light comes with a face plate, a shade, and the gooseneck arm. All light fixtures have a white and black wire (together they provide the power); and a green wire (the ground wire). Thread the wires through the goose neck arm and the face plate (if not already threaded through). One end of the gooseneck arm is threaded and will attach to the shade. Wrap the threaded end of the goose neck arm with plumber’s tape (to prevent water from getting into the fixture.) Screw the threaded end into the shade. The other end is held into the face plate with a hex screw. Super easy, right?

Hanging A Barnlight Tutorial

Unfortunately, with this light, you must mount the entire fixture fully assembled (some fixtures can be installed by first mounting just the face plate first.) Therefore, you will need an extra set of hands to help hold the fixture in place while trying to connect the wire nuts and the fixture to the junction box.

NOTE:  This fixture is made from real materials (aka heavier than big box retail fixtures). You need to make sure your junction box will hold the weight of the barn light snug against the exterior wall. If not, you will need to replace a plastic junction box with a metal one to support the additional weight.

Hanging A Barnlight Tutorial

Step 3:  Cut the excess wires with the wire cutter. Using the wire stripping tool, remove approximately 1″ of the wire covering from each wire. (I like to remove a little bit more than usual because it can always be trimmed off if the wires don’t fit within the wire nuts.)

Hanging A Barnlight Tutorial

This fixture also comes with a gasket that goes on the back of the face plate (to prevent water from getting into the junction box.) Feed the wires through the gasket before the next step.

Step 4:  Holding the fixture close to the junction box, connect the green ground wire from the light fixture with the green or bare wire from the junction box. Connect the white with the white wire and finally the black with the black wire. Secure all the connections with new wire nuts.

How to Install a Wall Sconce | Pretty Handy Girl

NOTE:  For safety, all wire connections need to fit inside the wire nut with no bare wires exposed. If you want, you can wrap electrical tape around the wire nut and wires to fully seal and secure the connections.

Step 5: Gently fold the wires into the junction box behind the face plate or mounting plate. Lift the light fixture into place against the wall. Thread the two mounting screws through the holes in the mounting plate and into the junction box. Tighten the mounting screws.

How to Install a Wall Sconce | Pretty Handy Girl

Congratulations! You have just learned How to Hang a Barn Light!

Hanging A Barnlight Tutorial

Do you love the look of the barn light? Much better than the bare floodlights, right. I hope you’ll try installing an exterior light to your home, it’s not hard to do.

diane and dean diy

~ See more of Diane +  Dean’s projects ~

If you liked this tutorial, you’ll love How to Install a Motion Sensing Light:

How to Install an Exterior Security Light | Pretty Handy Girl

Or How to Install Low Voltage Landscape Lights:

 

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How to Hang a Barn Light | Pretty Handy Girl