How to Change From Recessed Fluorescent Lighting to Recessed Lighting

Recessed fluorescent lighting has been the standard for energy-efficient illumination for decades. That changed when long-life LED tubes that used 40 percent less electricity became available. Now that those tubes have dropped in price, LED lighting has all the advantages: flicker-free performance, five years or more of expected service, instant on and off and the added safety of ballast-free operation.

Screwdriver
110-volt LED tubes

Instructions

- 1
  Switch off the power at the light switch or breaker panel.
- 2
  Open the hinged light-diffusing access panel under the lamps. On some older recessed lighting units, the light-diffusing panel can be removed by sliding the panel in either direction until it becomes loose and then pulling it off.
- 3
  Remove each fluorescent tube by twisting it free from its terminals.
- 4
  Pull off the ballast cover. If the cover is held in place by screws, loosen and remove the screws using a screwdriver.
- 5
  Unscrew the wire nuts that connect the incoming power to the ballast, and then unscrew the wire nuts that lead from the ballast directly to the lamp's terminals. Using the wire nuts, attach the incoming power wires directly to the wires leading to the lamp terminals. The disconnected ballast can be left safely in place for later use if desired.
- 6
  Snap or screw the ballast cover back into place.
- 7
  Position the new 110-volt LED tubes in place using a twisting motion.
- 8
  Switch on the power to confirm that the tubes are working. If the tubes are not working, gently maneuver the tubes in their sockets until they start producing illumination. Take care not to touch any metal elements.
- 9
  Close the light diffusing access panel below the tubes.

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