How to Change From Fluorescent to Recessed

Open the electrical panel and turn off the circuit breaker feeding current to the circuit on which you will be working. Unscrew the fluorescent light fixture from the ceiling, then unscrew the wire nuts connecting the fixture wires to the wires running from the ceiling. Remove the fluorescent light fixture, then straighten out the tip of the wires dangling from the ceiling, using needle-nose pliers.

Unscrew the green or bare grounding wire from the metal ceiling light outlet box. Go up in the attic and pull up the electrical cable to remove it from the ceiling light outlet box. Unscrew the ceiling light outlet box and remove it from the ceiling. Place the template supplied with the recessed light fixture over the ceiling opening and draw the template outline. Cut the outline with a drywall saw, then drop the electrical cable down into the opening.

Hold the recessed light fixture and slip the electrical cable though a knockout in the junction box attached to the light fixture. Pull the cable from inside the junction box and splice each wire to a matching color-coded wire running from the light fixture -- using wire nuts.

Plug the light fixture upright into the ceiling opening and fasten the fixture, using the mounting clips attached around the outer side of the fixture. Lower the light socket out of the fixture by unscrewing and removing the temporary brackets that hold the socket in place.

Hold the socket, press the clips around the base of the socket, then plug the socket into the opening on top of the cone trim. Plug the cone into the light fixture following the manufacturer's instructions on how to lock the cone into place. Screw a 110-volt light bulb into the socket. Turn on the circuit breaker and turn on the light to test the connection.