AJ LONG ELECTRIC
Modernize your home with energy-efficient LED recessed lighting. We handle layout design, installation, and dimmer switch integration for kitchens, living rooms, basements, and more.
Recessed lighting is one of the most effective ways to enhance your home's ambiance, functionality, and value. Our professional installation ensures beautiful, energy-efficient results that will transform your space.
Recessed lighting provides clean, modern illumination that complements any interior style. Unlike pendant lights or chandeliers, recessed lights sit flush with your ceiling, creating a sleek look while maximizing your usable space. They work beautifully as accent lighting around focal points like decorative fixtures.
At AJ Long Electric, we specialize in custom recessed lighting design and installation that enhances both the aesthetic appeal and functionality of your home, all while being energy-efficient.
Create a clean, modern look with custom lighting plans
Modern LED recessed lights use up to 75% less energy than traditional lighting
Make rooms feel larger and more open with strategic placement
Discover why so many homeowners choose recessed lighting for their spaces
Recessed lighting creates a clean, streamlined look that complements any décor style. The subtle, architectural quality of recessed fixtures enhances your space without competing with other design elements.
Modern LED recessed lights use up to 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. With dimmer compatibility, you can further reduce energy consumption while creating the perfect ambiance.
Unlike hanging fixtures, recessed lights don't take up any physical space in the room. They make ceilings appear higher and rooms feel larger, especially valuable in spaces with limited square footage.
Recessed lighting can be used for ambient, task, or accent lighting depending on placement and design. Directional trims allow you to highlight artwork, architectural features, or specific areas of your home.
Modern, energy-efficient lighting is attractive to potential buyers and can increase property value. Well-designed lighting plans are considered an upgrade and selling point in real estate listings.
Modern LED recessed lights last up to 50,000 hours, meaning years of use without replacement. Unlike surface fixtures, recessed lights are less likely to collect dust and require minimal cleaning.
We offer a variety of high-quality recessed lighting options to suit your needs and preferences
The most common and versatile option, these fixtures provide even, general illumination throughout a room. They're ideal for kitchens, living rooms, hallways, and any space where you need reliable overall lighting.
We install energy-efficient LED downlights that provide excellent color rendering and are compatible with dimmer switches for adjustable light levels.
Featuring trims that can be rotated and adjusted, these lights allow you to direct light exactly where it's needed. They're perfect for highlighting artwork, architectural features, or creating accent lighting in specific areas.
Adjustable recessed lighting is particularly useful in rooms with multiple functions or where you want to create visual interest through directed light.
Specifically designed for bathrooms, showers, outdoor soffits, and other areas exposed to moisture. These fixtures are sealed to prevent water damage and are essential for safe lighting in wet environments.
We ensure proper wet-rated fixtures are installed in appropriate locations to meet building codes and maintain the safety of your electrical system.
IC (Insulation Contact) rated fixtures are designed to be installed in direct contact with insulation. They're essential for energy efficiency in ceilings with insulation and prevent fire hazards.
We always use the appropriate IC-rated fixtures for insulated ceilings to maintain safety standards and energy efficiency in your home.
Integrate your recessed lighting with smart home systems for ultimate control and convenience. Smart recessed lights can be controlled via smartphone apps, voice commands, or automated schedules.
We can install smart lighting systems compatible with popular platforms like Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit, allowing you to adjust brightness, color temperature, and even create custom lighting scenes for different activities or times of day.
Recessed lighting in Northern Virginia, DC, and Maryland comes in two flavors: new-construction installations in 2000s+ kitchens and finished basements (where the wiring is open and fixtures land where the plans put them), and retrofit work in 1960s–80s ranch, raised-ranch, and colonial homes (where every fixture is a deliberate choice and the attic clearance dictates what's possible). The retrofit work is where most of the calls come in — Vienna and McLean kitchens originally lit by one center fixture, Arlington bungalows opening up the ceiling during a renovation, Fairfax County colonials adding cans over the kitchen island.
In pre-1980s attics with existing batt insulation, every fixture has to be IC-rated (insulation-contact rated) per current code — non-IC cans can heat the insulation around them and become a fire risk. In cathedral-ceiling living rooms common in 1970s–80s Reston and Burke homes, fixture choice gets harder because there's no attic space above; sloped-ceiling housings or surface-mount LED disks are the practical options. DC rowhouses with plaster ceilings in Capitol Hill and Georgetown require a different conversation — penetrating those ceilings is a one-way decision and the historic-review process may apply.
Permit-wise, Fairfax County and Arlington both treat a fixture swap as no-permit work but require a permit when adding circuits or new fixtures on a new switch leg; Alexandria is similar; DC's DOB permitting kicks in at any new circuit addition. We handle every permit when the scope requires one. Across all three jurisdictions, the most common project we do is a retrofit conversion of older incandescent cans to dimmable LED housings — a one-day job for most rooms that meaningfully drops the electric bill.
Most residential recessed lighting projects in our service area run $150–$400 per fixture installed, with whole-room conversions typically landing in the $1,200–$3,500 range depending on count and ceiling type. The main drivers are:
We provide free, no-obligation estimates after a site walk. Call (703) 997-0026 or request an estimate online.
We follow a thorough, systematic approach to ensure your recessed lighting installation is completed professionally, efficiently, and to the highest standards
Our lighting specialist will discuss your goals, evaluate your space, and create a custom lighting design. We'll determine the optimal number of fixtures, spacing, and positioning for maximum impact and functionality.
We'll provide a comprehensive written estimate including fixture recommendations, installation details, timeline, and transparent pricing. We'll explain different options for trims, finishes, and smart control features.
Before installation day, we'll locate ceiling joists, check for existing wiring, and identify any potential obstacles. For new construction or major renovations, we'll coordinate with other contractors if needed.
Our licensed electricians will carefully install your recessed lighting with minimal disruption to your home. We use drop cloths and protective measures to keep your space clean. The process includes cutting precise ceiling holes, installing housing fixtures, connecting wiring, and installing trims.
We thoroughly test all installed fixtures and controls to ensure proper operation. We'll walk you through the system, demonstrate dimmer functionality, and provide maintenance tips. Your installation is backed by our comprehensive 5-year warranty.
We offer a variety of high-quality recessed lighting solutions to fit your needs
Basic recessed lighting setup
Enhanced control and ambiance
Premium features and configuration
Every home and lighting need is unique. Our professional lighting consultants will work with you to design the perfect recessed lighting solution for your space. We consider:
Contact us for a personalized consultation and custom quote for your specific requirements.
Common questions about recessed lighting installation
The number of recessed lights needed depends on several factors including room size, ceiling height, light output of the fixtures, and the room's purpose. As a general rule, for ambient lighting in a living space, we recommend one recessed light for every 25-30 square feet of space. For task areas like kitchens, you may need more concentrated lighting. During our consultation, we'll create a custom lighting plan based on your specific space and needs.
Recessed lights can be installed in most ceiling types, but the installation method varies. For standard drywall ceilings, installation is straightforward. For concrete ceilings, special housing may be required. For ceilings with insulation, we use IC-rated fixtures to prevent fire hazards. Some historic homes or properties with plaster ceilings may require special considerations. During our assessment, we'll evaluate your ceiling type and recommend the appropriate fixtures and installation methods.
The most common sizes for residential recessed lighting are 4-inch and 6-inch, which refers to the diameter of the trim or aperture. For most living spaces, 6-inch fixtures provide good general illumination. Four-inch fixtures work well in smaller spaces or for accent lighting. Kitchens often benefit from 4-inch fixtures for task lighting over countertops. The right size depends on your ceiling height, room dimensions, and lighting goals. Our lighting specialists will help you choose the optimal size for your space during the consultation.
We make every effort to minimize disruption during installation. For new construction or during a renovation when walls and ceilings are open, installation is very straightforward. For retrofit installations in finished ceilings, there will be some cutting of drywall and potential need to access attic space. Our technicians use drop cloths to protect your furnishings and take care to minimize dust. Most standard installations in an average-sized room can be completed in a single day. Power will need to be turned off to the circuits we're working on during installation.
LED recessed lights offer significant advantages over traditional incandescent or halogen options. LEDs use up to 75% less energy, produce much less heat (reducing fire risk and cooling costs), and last 25-50 times longer (up to 50,000 hours versus 1,000-2,000 for incandescent). Modern LED fixtures provide excellent light quality and color rendering, are fully dimmable, and come in various color temperatures to create the perfect ambiance. The upfront cost of LED fixtures is higher, but the energy savings and reduced replacement frequency make them more economical over time. We primarily install LED recessed lighting for these reasons.
Recessed lights can work with standard switches, but many homeowners choose to enhance functionality with dimmer switches or smart controls. Dimmer switches allow you to adjust light levels for different activities and moods while also saving energy. Smart switches and controllers enable remote control via smartphone apps, voice commands through devices like Alexa or Google Home, and automation features like scheduling. If you choose LED recessed lights (which we recommend), you'll need LED-compatible dimmers to prevent flickering. We can install and program any type of switch or control system as part of your recessed lighting installation.
Local recessed lighting guides for the cities we cover most often.
Planning a recessed-lighting layout? Book a free in-home lighting design consultation — we'll walk through fixture placement, ceiling type, and dimming before any work is quoted.
Schedule a free lighting design consultationContact us today for a free, detailed estimate. Our licensed electricians provide expert recessed lighting installation with transparent pricing and a 5-year warranty.
Licensed, Bonded & Insured | 5-Year Warranty on All Installations