Downlights & insulation · the R-value killer
Insulation over downlights: cover an IC-4, never a halogen, and keep your R-value.
An old halogen downlight is a heat source, so the wiring rules force a 200mm bare gap of ceiling around every one of them. Sustainability Victoria's figures show that dropping an R4.0 ceiling to an effective R1.4. Multiply that by a houseful of downlights and a big slice of the insulation you paid for is doing nothing.
There is a safe, simple fix. I'm Peter Johnson, I've been on the tools since 1986, and here is exactly what is going on above your downlights and how to put it right without creating a fire risk.
Comfort Zone insulation.team
Family-owned insulation manufacturer, making comfy homes since 1986
R4.0 down to R1.4
around halogen downlights
Real reviews, real jobs
What our customers say
Genuine Google & hipages reviews from Comfort Zone customers across SE Queensland.
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Angela M.
SE Queensland
“The fact that I can't even tell it's 6 degrees outside when I wake up in the morning speaks for itself. Have wasted so much money attempting to heat and cool an uninsulated home. Worth every $.”
- Phipages
P Peter
Alstonvale, 2024
“Connected with Comfort Zone Insulation and would recommend them”
- J
Jessa B.
Brisbane
“It dropped about 4 degrees straight away, and we added another 3 with the second job. I appreciate Peter's honesty, and the team showed pictures before and after.”
- Nhipages
Nola M
Birtinya, 2024
“They were courteous and competent.”
- I
Iain V-B.
Brisbane
“Quick and polite service. Great follow-up advice and photos sent for our records. Above and beyond what we expected. Would highly recommend.”
- Jhipages
Jennifer's E
Upper Caboolture, 2024
“Excellent customer service. Highly recommended. Has a profound knowledge of insulation products and has the best interest of his customer.”
- G
Gerry S
Fitzgibbon, 2023
“I used Comfort Zone and they have a done an excellent job.”
- Jhipages
Jennifer
Upper Caboolture, 2024
“Excellent customer service. Highly recommend. Has a profound knowledge of insulation products and has the customer best interest.”
- J
Jung K
Riverhills, 2023
“An experienced family operation. Highly recommend. Thank you for the great job!”
- Dhipages
Diane A
Ormeau, 2024
“Peter and crew did a great job I would definitely recommend them”
- D
David H
Sunshine Coast, 2021
“Completed the job as quoted and to a high standard. Great personal service. Would highly recommend Comfort Zone for ceiling installation work.”
- Thipages
Timea
Highland Park, 2023
“I was extremely satisfied with the service they provided. They gave a very thourough explanation of the materials used, the way the work will be carried out and the price I had to pay was the exact amount quoted, no hidden costs included. They arrived on time, well prepared and workwas carried out exactly how they said it would be, they were super efficient, well prepared and were kind enough to even clean up after themselves. The services they provided was second to none! I don't hesitate to recommend them for any insulation job!”
- B
Benjamin H
Carseldine, 2019
“Very good explanation about their works. Advice of existing problems with the roof. Clean work. Very professional.”
- Mhipages
Mark
Pottsville, 2017
“Michelle, we are done - Peter from comfort zone insulation was very helpful. very honest with his recommendations - in fact he told me that the product my daughter had if installed correctly was superb. Thanks Peter you are a champion and i would recommend you to any person that was wanting professional advice and old school service.”
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Ian G
Burnside, 2019
“Good information, communication and professionalism.”
- Jhipages
Jessica
Pottsville, 2016
“This business offers a fantastic product that other businesses did not. Pump in ceiling insulation. Knowledge of the industry second to none.”
- D
Danny D
Boondall, 2018
“He explained everything he was going to do and the different types of insulation they used. He talked through the different options but made a recommendation for the one most people use, which is the one I chose. He was very understanding towards what I needed and not about himself.”
- Jhipages
Jack
Pottsville, 2023
“Excellent communication and informative. Professional.”
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Graham R
Riverhills, 2018
“Comfort Zone. Turned up ahead of time, completed in about 2 hours, cleaned up. All good. Very motivated installation team.”
- Thipages
Tony P
Redland Bay, 2023
“Very knowledgeable about insulation”
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Alex B
West Ipswich, 2018
“Fast, friendly, efficient.”
- Shipages
Steve
Redland Bay, 2017
“Excellent job and reasonable price.”
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Luke D
Mcdowall, 2017
“Peter did a good job. It was a quick and clean service. I'm happy to recommend!”
- Bhipages
Bruce H
Kuluin, 2023
“Prompt and efficient quoting.”
- B
Brendon
Brays Creek, 2016
“Peter supplied and installed roof insulation for me. He was very informative and provided good advice.”
- Ghipages
Gerry S
Fitzgibbon, 2023
“I used Comfort Zone and they have a done an excellent job.”
- T
Trevor G
Brookside Centre, 2016
“Excellent tradesmen from Comfort Zone Insulation. They were punctual and cleaned up after. Highly recommended.”
- Thipages
Tamara
Underwood, 2023
“Peter is honest, hard-working and came on time. Knew excally what he was talking about and answered my questions. Would 100% recommend”
- J
John G
Beaudesert, 2019
“Peter is an honest person who provided me with the information I wanted then performed a good job with great results for the benefit of myself and my family.”
- Shipages
Sterling G
Ashgrove, 2023
“Comfort Zone were very knowledge with great communication and follow up”
- Ghipages
Graham R
Riverhills, 2018
“Comfort Zone. Turned up ahead of time completed in +- 2 hours cleaned. All good. Very motivated installation team”
- Jhipages
Jung K
Riverhills, 2023
“An experienced family operation. Highly recommend. Thank you for the great job!”
- Khipages
Kathy A
North Lakes, 2023
“We connected with Peter through HiPages and he was prompt, professional and even came back after the job was complete to assist with a question we had. We would highly recommend Peter for further insulation works.”
- Dhipages
David H
Sunshine Coast, 2021
“Completed the job as quoted and to a high standard. Great personal service. Would highly recommend Comfort Zone for ceiling installationn work.”
- Shipages
Sue H
Sunshine Coast, 2021
“Incredible customer service”
- Ehipages
Eileen C
Cedar Vale, 2021
“Quality work, good customer service, prompt”
- Chipages
Craig M
Woody Point, 2021
“Called within 5 minutes of request. Very knowledgeable and explained job in great detail, provide great advice in prior preparation for works required. Very friendly and helpful.”
- Jhipages
Jenny C
Plainland, 2021
“Although I did not hire Peter I was impressed with the initial contact and the knowledge he was willing to impart. I was treated with respect which I appreciated. I would have hired but I received a lower quote.”
- Qhipages
Quinton
Coomera, 2020
“Professional installation without any short cuts. True to their word with high integrity. Response from Comfort Zone Insulation”
- Ghipages
Gary P
West Kempsey, 2020
“Came & Gave a free quote”
From our customers
Real people, real results — here's what they say.
Gerry S
Fitzgibbon, 2023
“I used Comfort Zone and they have a done an excellent job.”
Jung K
Riverhills, 2023
“An experienced family operation. Highly recommend. Thank you for the great job!”
David H
Sunshine Coast, 2021
“Completed the job as quoted and to a high standard. Great personal service. Would highly recommend Comfort Zone for ceiling installation work.”
What it's costing you
Four halogen downlights in 10m² take R4.0 down to an effective R1.4.
Because a halogen downlight needs a 200mm bare clearance around it, Sustainability Victoria's housing manual shows four halogen downlights in a 10m² area dropping R4.0 insulation to an effective R1.4. That is most of your insulation gone, just around the lights.
It adds up fast across a whole house. One worked example with 40 halogen downlights pulls a real R3.0 ceiling down to about R2.78, and switching those fittings to coverable LED restores it to around R3.2. You can have paid for a good R-value on paper and be living under a much lower one, and never know. Once the manhole is shut you cannot see it.
This is the same lesson as the rest of insulation: the number on the bag is not the number in your roof unless the ceiling is actually covered.
Comfort Zone insulation.team
Family-owned insulation manufacturer, making comfy homes since 1986
A halogen downlight in a roof space. The bare clearance the rules require around each one is where your R-value leaks away.
First, the safety bit
A halogen needs 200mm of bare ceiling, and that is a fire clearance.
A halogen downlight runs extremely hot, hot enough that the AS/NZS 3000 wiring rules brought in mandatory clearances after a spate of ceiling-cavity fires. Sustainability Victoria and Fire and Rescue both warn that ceiling fires rose with the spread of downlights. Insulation packed against a hot, non-rated fitting is exactly how those fires start.
So this is the one place in your roof where covering everything is the wrong move. You must never lay insulation over, or breach the clearance around, a halogen, non-IC or unmarked downlight. Anyone who buries your old halogens to make the ceiling look finished is creating a fire risk, not doing you a favour. The right fix is to change the fitting, not smother it.
Read the fitting
The stamp on the fitting decides: IC, IC-4, CA90 or unmarked.
Every recessed downlight has a classification that tells you whether insulation can cover it, only touch the sides, or must be kept clear. It is stamped on the fitting. This is the whole game.
IC / IC-4 — insulation may cover the fitting
Cover it.
Insulation may abut AND cover the fitting. IC-4 is also sealed against air moving between the room and the roof space. These are the LED downlights you want, so the ceiling can be fully covered with no gap.
CA90 — insulation may touch the sides, not the top
Abut only.
Insulation may touch the sides but must NOT be laid over the top. Better than non-IC, but you still lose the coverage directly above each light.
Non-IC or unmarked — insulation must stay clear
Keep clear.
Must have a clearance maintained on all sides and above. Insulation may never cover or touch it. Any unmarked or old halogen fitting must be treated this way. This is the one that costs you the most R-value.
The classifications come from the AS/NZS 60598.2.2 luminaire standard and the AS/NZS 3000 wiring rules (see BRANZ Bulletin 647 for the full table). The short version: look for IC or IC-4. Anything else, or no marking at all, gets treated as keep-clear.
The fix
Replace the halogens with IC-4-rated LED, then cover the ceiling properly.
- 1
Get a sparky to swap the halogens for IC or IC-4 LED downlights
A licensed electrician changes the fittings. IC and IC-4 LEDs run cool and are certified to have insulation laid over them. LEDs also use a fraction of the power, so they pay for part of themselves over time. This is electrical work, so it is the electrician's job, not ours and not a DIY one.
- 2
Now the clearance disappears
Once the fittings are rated to be covered, there is no bare 200mm gap to leave. The ceiling can be insulated as one continuous blanket, the way it was meant to be.
- 3
We pump cellulose right over the IC-4 lights
We pump cellulose across the whole ceiling, over the top of the IC-4-rated lights, so you get the full R-value with no cold gaps. See how we do that neatly below.
Comfort Zone insulation.team
Family-owned insulation manufacturer, making comfy homes since 1986
How we do it
A 10mm polyester cap over the light, not half a batt left aside.
Plenty of batt installers deal with downlights the lazy way: they leave half a batt aside and walk away, so there is a bare patch of ceiling around every light, even the ones that could have been covered. That is easy for them and expensive for you in lost R-value.
On an IC or IC-4 rated light, we do it properly. We lay a thin sliver of polyester batt, about 10mm, as a cap over the top of the fitting, then pump cellulose over the lot. Two things happen:
- The ceiling is fully covered, with no bare gap around the light, so you keep your R-value.
- If a sparky ever pulls the fitting down from below to work on it, that little cap holds the cellulose back, so they do not get a face full of it and your roof stays where it should.
On a halogen or non-IC fitting we will not do that. Covering it would be a fire risk. We keep the clearance and tell you straight that the real fix is to change the light.
Straight answers
Downlights and insulation, the questions I get.
Can you put insulation over downlights?+
Only over the right kind. If a downlight is marked IC or IC-4, it is tested and certified for insulation to be laid over the top, so we can cover it and keep your R-value. If it is a halogen, non-IC, or unmarked fitting, you must never cover it or breach its clearance. It is a heat source and covering it is a documented fire risk. That is the whole reason the marking system and the clearances exist. The safe answer for an old halogen is to replace it with an IC-rated LED, then cover it.
How much R-value do downlights actually cost me?+
A lot, if they are halogen. Because a halogen downlight needs a 200mm bare clearance around it, Sustainability Victoria's housing manual shows four halogen downlights in a 10m² area dropping R4.0 ceiling insulation to an effective R1.4. A worked example with 40 halogen downlights across a ceiling pulls a real R3.0 down to about R2.78, and switching to coverable LED fittings restores it to around R3.2. So your downlights can quietly be undoing a big chunk of the insulation you paid for.
What clearance does a halogen downlight need from insulation?+
For a heat-source halogen, the guidance is a 200mm clearance above and to the side of timber (Sustainability Victoria; the clearances were brought into the AS/NZS 3000 wiring rules after a spate of ceiling fires). A 50mm gap is only the figure for a lighting transformer or a low-heat incandescent, not for a halogen lamp. The exact clearance is set by the fitting's classification and the manufacturer's instructions, and the work is a licensed electrician's job, not something to guess at.
Should I replace my halogen downlights before insulating?+
Yes, if you can. It is the single best thing you can do for both your power bill and your fire safety. An electrician swaps the halogens for IC or IC-4 rated LED downlights, which run cool and are certified to be covered. Then we can pump cellulose right across the ceiling with no bare gaps, and you get the full R-value working for you. LEDs also use a fraction of the power, so the lights pay for part of themselves.
Do you cover our downlights or leave a gap like other installers?+
It depends on the fitting, and we do it to the standard, not by guesswork. For IC and IC-4 rated lights, we lay a thin polyester cap over the top and then pump cellulose over that, so the ceiling is fully covered with no bare patch, and a sparky pulling the fitting down later does not get a face full of cellulose. For halogen or non-IC fittings, we keep the required clearance or recommend you replace them first. We will not bury a fire risk to make a ceiling look finished.
Clearance and classification details summarised from AS/NZS 3000 (Wiring Rules), AS/NZS 60598.2.2 (luminaires), Sustainability Victoria's Energy Smart Housing Manual, and BRANZ Bulletin 647. Changing downlights is electrical work for a licensed electrician. This page is general information, not electrical advice.
See how it's done
Watch: downlights handled correctly on real jobs.
Peter's footage of how Comfort Zone treats downlights before and during a cellulose install — the right cap, the right clearance, no guesswork.
Filmed on real jobs over the years. Subscribe to the channel for more.
Had your downlights done properly so the insulation actually works? Worth a mention.
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Sort the downlights, get your R-value back.
Get your halogens swapped for IC-4-rated LED by a sparky, and we'll pump cellulose across the whole ceiling, over the lights, with no cold gaps. Send us your address and roof type for a fixed-price quote within 48 hours for most houses. Servicing Brisbane, SE QLD and Northern NSW.
Peter Johnson
Owner / installer · Comfort Zone Insulation Team® · Since 1986