Draughty downlighters PLEASE HELP!!!

[rasA4]

ever since ive had the kitchen extension we have has a very cold kitchen in the winter i have seemed to trace it to the draughty downlighters, i can feel the breeze from them any solution to this problem?

PLEASE HELP!!!

 

[fingermouse]

are they adjustable ones or just fixed downlights ???? If you can get above them you could put some soil pipe over them and insulate the space.

 

[arthurfuxake]

Be carefull enclosing them, they get very hot and need a certain amount of space to dissipate the heat. Have a look on screwfix, they have got fire-rated hoods which might do the trick. Is your kitchen a single storey elevation? Is the ceiling insulated?

 

[auroan]

I'd find the source of the draft into the ceiling space to be honest.

 

[sidibear]

I'd find the source of the draft into the ceiling space to be honest.

Yep, thats the one:icon_thumright:

Did you have a cooker hood fitted with an extract?

 

[rasA4]

are they adjustable ones or just fixed downlights ???? If you can get above them you could put some soil pipe over them and insulate the space.

hi they are adjustable, i cant get above them as i have a flat roof

 

[rasA4]

Be carefull enclosing them, they get very hot and need a certain amount of space to dissipate the heat. Have a look on screwfix, they have got fire-rated hoods which might do the trick. Is your kitchen a single storey elevation? Is the ceiling insulated?

yes i did look at this i wasnt sure wether this would work, its £5 each might give it a go

 

[rasA4]

I'd find the source of the draft into the ceiling space to be honest.

it seems to be a vent running the full width of the extension under the soffits

 

[rasA4]

Yep, thats the one:icon_thumright:

Did you have a cooker hood fitted with an extract?

yes ive checked that and sealed around this, i cant actually feel the draught from the downlighters

 

[sidibear]

Do you only get the draught when the downlighters are on?

I know it sounds like a daft question but as the hot air off the lights fill the void above the cold air may be pushed out. Just a thought.....

 

[rasA4]

nah even when off its a cold draught

 

[fingermouse]

you need the vent under the soffits to let air to the wood, If you can id insularte the roof space but fit cowels or some protection around each light so they dont overheat. If not then if you don`t actually alter the angle of the lights once you have set them in position you could seal them on the rear with silicon but not the bulb part just the adjustable bit.

 

[Caesium]

The intumescent hoods in screwfix are not for draught prevention, they're to stop the spread of fire.

The gap between the joists should really be insulated, and there is no way you would be able to retrofit those hoods properly anyway, you could get tighter fitting downlighters.

I would suspect the downlights are not the cause of the coldness, the air coming in through them should be minimal. All my upstairs is downlighters and my loftspace is so well insulated that the loft is freezing in winter but I feel no draught through the downlighters. and they're uncovered above.

I'd look elsewhere for the chill, I think the downlights are a red herring.

 

[rasA4]

I would suspect the downlights are not the cause of the coldness, the air coming in through them should be minimal. All my upstairs is downlighters and my loftspace is so well insulated that the loft is freezing in winter but I feel no draught through the downlighters. and they're uncovered above.

I'd look elsewhere for the chill, I think the downlights are a red herring.

the dowlighters are located in my kitchen with a flat roof, i have a vent which is the full width of the extension 25' which is under the guttering outside. i can't see any where else where it could be coming from the ceiling is a normal plasterboard with 10 downlighters

 

[Caesium]

Is it especially windy where you are?
In retrospect it may have been a better idea to have insulated the cavity between the joists, that would also have saved some heat.
If you feel adventurous then maybe you could remove the ceiling and retrofit some insulation...

 

[rasA4]

hmm its a big area.. if only i had one of those camera's that would show where the heat loss is for sure.

 

[Caesium]

I think you can hire a thermal imaging camera.