Electrician testing wiring connections in an electrical panel

Lighting Installation in Urbandale & Des Moines, IA

Lighting is one of the most requested electrical upgrades — and one of the most impactful on how a home looks, feels, and performs daily. In Central Iowa, where winters compress daylight to eight or nine hours and summers extend outdoor living well into the evening, lighting decisions carry practical weight across both seasons.

72 Degrees' licensed electricians install residential lighting throughout Ankeny, Des Moines, Johnston, Waukee, Grimes, Urbandale, and the wider Central Iowa metro. From a single fixture replacement to a full outdoor security lighting project, every installation is code-compliant, cleanly executed, and backed by our satisfaction guarantee.

Lighting Services We Provide in the Des Moines Metro

Interior fixture installation and upgrades
Recessed lighting (can lights and LED wafer/disk lights)
LED conversion and energy-efficient upgrade installations
Ceiling fan installation with integrated lighting
Under-cabinet and task lighting for kitchens and workspaces
Accent, pendant, and decorative lighting
Exterior landscape and soffit lighting
Security and motion-activated lighting
Garage, outbuilding, and driveway lighting

Recessed Lighting Installation in Ankeny & Des Moines

Recessed lighting is among the most commonly requested upgrades for Des Moines metro homeowners, and the installation complexity varies more than most people expect. Ceiling construction type, insulation depth, joist spacing, available circuit capacity, and the distance to the panel all affect how a project is scoped and priced. Homes in newer Ankeny and Waukee subdivisions often have accessible attic space that simplifies wiring runs. Older homes in Des Moines and Urbandale with plaster ceilings and limited attic access require a different approach.

72 Degrees assesses the specific conditions in your home before quoting so the price reflects what the work actually requires — not a guess.

LED Upgrades: What Iowa Homeowners Need to Know

LED fixtures consume 75 to 90 percent less electricity than incandescent equivalents and last 15 to 25 times longer. For a home across the Des Moines metro running significant winter and summer HVAC loads, reducing lighting energy consumption meaningfully affects the monthly MidAmerican Energy bill. Iowa homeowners may also be eligible for MidAmerican Energy efficiency rebates on qualifying LED upgrades — check current rebates.

Pairing LED upgrades with a whole-home surge protection installation protects your investment from Iowa's active storm season. LED fixtures are more sensitive to voltage irregularities than incandescent bulbs, and a panel-level surge device is the most complete protection available.

Outdoor Lighting for Iowa's Climate and Seasons

Outdoor lighting in the Ankeny and Des Moines area serves security and safety functions year-round. Motion-activated fixtures near entryways, garage doors, and driveways reduce trip and fall risk during icy Iowa winters. Landscape and soffit lighting extends the usability of outdoor spaces during warmer months and adds meaningful curb appeal.

All exterior fixtures 72 Degrees installs are rated for Iowa's full temperature range — including sustained sub-zero exposure — and properly classified as wet or damp-rated for outdoor locations. Components not designed for this climate fail prematurely, and we don't install them.

Permanent Holiday Lighting and Jellyfish Lighting

Give your home a lighting plan that works beyond a single season. For homeowners considering permanent holiday lighting in Ankeny, Urbandale or Des Moines, Jellyfish Lighting by Holt offers programmable exterior LEDs for holiday displays, celebrations and everyday architectural accents. The system uses a discreet track along the home's trim and can be controlled through a smartphone or tablet app.

A permanent system lets you change colors, patterns and schedules without rehanging seasonal strings for each occasion. Holt's installation team can discuss the layout, visible rooflines and trim appearance for your home. Visit the Jellyfish Lighting page to learn more and request project-specific information.

Before planning exterior lighting, consider which areas you want illuminated: the front elevation, porch, garage, walkways or outdoor gathering spaces. Decorative roofline lighting and task lighting serve different purposes. Tell us about existing fixtures, switches and available power so the electrical work can be assessed alongside the design.

72 Degrees can also help with outdoor fixture installation and the electrical needs of your lighting project. For new wiring or circuit work, see our electrical installation services. Call (515) 965-7272 or request service online to discuss your plans and confirm the right team for the work.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does recessed lighting installation cost in the Des Moines area?

Cost depends on the number of fixtures, ceiling construction, wiring method required, and circuit availability. Installing new recessed lights in a room with accessible attic space is more straightforward than working through a finished ceiling in an older Des Moines home. 72 Degrees assesses your specific conditions and provides upfront pricing before any work begins.

How long does recessed lighting installation take?

A typical recessed lighting project for one room — four to six lights with new wiring — takes four to eight hours depending on ceiling construction and circuit access. Larger projects spanning multiple rooms are scoped and scheduled as full-day or multi-day jobs.

Can I add recessed lighting to a room with a vaulted ceiling?

Yes, though vaulted ceilings require IC-rated (insulation contact) fixtures installed in the slope of the ceiling and often more involved wiring runs. Fixture selection matters for vaulted applications. 72 Degrees assesses the specific ceiling configuration before recommending fixtures or quoting.

Can dimmer switches be used with LED fixtures?

Not universally. LED fixtures need to be rated for dimming, and the dimmer switch must be compatible with the specific LED driver in the fixture or bulb. Incompatible combinations cause flickering, buzzing, or premature failure. 72 Degrees verifies compatibility before installing any dimmer switch.

Do you install ceiling fans in Urbandale and Des Moines?

Yes. Ceiling fan installation is part of our lighting services. If the existing fixture box is not rated for a ceiling fan, we replace the box with a fan-rated support. Most ceiling fan installations are completed in under two hours for a standard room with an existing circuit.

Is outdoor lighting installation permitted in Iowa?

New wiring runs for outdoor fixtures typically require a permit. Replacing an existing exterior fixture with a comparable one generally does not. 72 Degrees identifies permit requirements upfront and handles applications as part of the project. Contact us at (515) 965-7272 or 72degrees.com/contact.