My contractor installed pot lights and now I have cold drafts from the ceiling — why?

Pot lights (recessed lights) are one of the most common sources of heat loss and cold drafts in Vancouver homes — and the fix is usually straightforward once you understand why it happens.

When a pot light is cut into your ceiling, it creates a direct hole between your living space and the attic above. Most standard pot lights have gaps, slots, and openings in their housing that allow warm interior air to escape upward into the attic — and cold attic air to fall back down into the room. In Vancouver's rainy, cool climate, this isn't just a comfort issue. That warm moist air hitting the cold attic space can cause condensation, mould, and insulation damage over time.

There are two main causes worth understanding. First, non-IC-rated or non-airtight fixtures — if your contractor installed standard pot lights without airtight (AT) rated housings, there's essentially no air seal between your ceiling and the attic. Second, even with the right fixtures, poor installation is extremely common. The housing needs to be properly sealed to the drywall with acoustic sealant or fire-rated caulk around the entire perimeter. If that step was skipped, you'll feel exactly what you're describing.

What to check first: Look at the fixture from below — is there a visible gap between the trim ring and the ceiling? Even a 1–2mm gap around a pot light can allow significant airflow. Also ask your contractor what fixtures were installed — they should be ICAT-rated (Insulation Contact, Airtight) if they're in an insulated ceiling. Under the BC Building Code (BCBC 2024), ceiling penetrations in the building envelope must be sealed to maintain the air barrier — this isn't optional, it's a code requirement.

The repair options range from simple to more involved. From below, you can install pot light insulating covers (foam gaskets or trim seal kits available at any hardware store for $5–15 per light) — this is a quick DIY fix that helps but isn't a permanent solution. The proper fix is to have your contractor go into the attic and seal around each housing with fire-rated acoustic sealant, then ensure adequate insulation is placed over top (ICAT-rated fixtures allow insulation to sit directly on them — non-IC fixtures must have a 3-inch clearance, which creates a cold spot).

On the contractor accountability side — if this was a recent installation, this is a workmanship issue you should bring back to your contractor directly. A properly installed pot light in an insulated ceiling should not cause drafts. Document the issue, note the date of installation, and request they return to seal the penetrations properly. If they push back, you have recourse under BC's Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act (BPCPA), and disputes under $5,000 can be filed with the Civil Resolution Tribunal at civilresolutionbc.ca.

Your next steps: Talk to your contractor first and ask them to return and properly air-seal the fixtures — this should be covered under their workmanship warranty. If you want an independent assessment, an energy auditor or insulation contractor can do a quick inspection and often identify all the leakage points at once. Browse qualified insulation and electrical contractors in the Vancouver Construction Network directory to find local pros who can help.