Loft insulation...

Ditto

I went to see a house last night, the vendor said there was no loft insulation as there was spot lights in the bedroom/bathroom ceilings, is this usual.
Would loft insulation be affected by the heat from the transformers?

Thanks

Lord_Blue

Depending on the spotlights, the back should provide adequate protection for loft insulation.

WestonDave

Most professional installers will move insulation away from recessed spotlights - I think the inability to get rid of heat can shorten the life of transformers used on low voltage systems, and there is a fear that heat from the lamps could cause a fire if allowed to build up.

You can buy metal boxes to go over them which allows an area of air around the light and also prevents the insulation fibres coming into contact with the hot lamp, and/or you might want to consider fire proof hoods that prevent fire and smoke spreading into the roof space through the light hole.

A couple of links to give you an idea what I mean - http://www.screwfix.com/prods/84802/Lighting-Lamps/Internal-Lighting/Fire-Rated-Downlights/Fire-Hoods/Halolite-Downlight-Fire-Guard-340mm is the metal box, and if you look on the bottom right you will probably see a fire hood.

trickys77

Just to add that a house without insulation would not affect me buying or selling the house since I just fully insulated my loft for £15 (current B&Q offer is £1 per roll!). I also boarded it out for £80 (again with loft panels from B&Q).

Doesn't really answer your question I know, but just figured the costs might help.

1984ReturnsForReal_2

NEVER cover spotlights with insulation.

However there should be insulation around the rest of the ceiling area.

Ditto

1984ReturnsForReal wrote: »

NEVER cover spotlights with insulation.

However there should be insulation around the rest of the ceiling area.

I was thinking that as well, why didn't he put inslation around the loft and left gaps where the transformers are. I take it that a homebuyers survey will pick that point up and ask for insulation.

1984ReturnsForReal_2

Ditto wrote: »

I was thinking that as well, why didn't he put inslation around the loft and left gaps where the transformers are. I take it that a homebuyers survey will pick that point up and ask for insulation.

I dont think there is an official clearance distance but any electrical stuff should not be covered with insulation, even the cables..

Ditto

I'll have to check the cable runs and not put insulation on them, I rather just have normal lights....:rolleyes: