A number of manufactured products are available to provide clearance for insulation around the fixture but you can also build a box using scraps of rigid insulation or drywall.
Insulation around recessed ceiling lights.
This video from green homes america provides a good overview of the air leakage issue with recessed lights and shows an actual top hat installation.
If i replace those bulbs with leds will that reduce the heat enough so i can insulate around the existing lighting cans.
Instead of hanging down from the ceiling like conventional fixtures can lights extend up into the attic so that the only part you see is the front edge of the.
How to insulate around can lights.