top of page
AdobeStock_402968103.webp

Lighting Installation in Ankeny & 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.

 

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 Ankeny 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.

bottom of page