We just finished a basement remodel in a 1960's house. The HVAC and the electrical were challenging to say the least. We had areas that were packed with HVAC ducts - for both the upstairs and downstairs. We ended up putting a ton of recessed (looking) lights throughout the space. Our electrician found some LED lights that look like recessed but they are only 1/2" thick so they fit in the depth of the sheetrock ceilings we installed. There were two transformers installed in a utility room and low voltage wire run throughout the whole basement in the ceiling. All of the these lights were connected to the transformers but each room (or light) could be switched separately. Saved a lot of money. Not sure what brand they were though.

Thanks, Deborah. I'll do some sleuthing. I was thinking I'd have to build some type of soffit along the hallway ceiling to accomodate a strip of LED lights. Perhaps finding 1/2" thick LED lights will be the solution.

LED lights are the most economical to use. They run cool. You can get them in a variety of bulb styles for what you need. They will almost last forever. Good advice Deborah.

I think LED panels are the thin light fixtures used in Deborah's remodel.

@Deborah, I hope that your electrician knows the difference between "low voltage wire" and NM cable that can be used behind sheetrock in a ceiling. In general, the same wiring needs to be used as for a 120 volt lighting system and really shouldn't be saving that much money. Lower voltage means higher amps and a larger wire size.

http://freenec.com/T254.html

411.4 Specific Location Requirements.

(A) Walls, Floors, and Ceilings. Conductors concealed or extended through a wall, floor, or ceiling shall be in accordance with (1) or (2):

(1) Installed using any of the wiring methods specified in Chapter 3

(2) Installed using wiring supplied by a listed Class 2 power source and installed in accordance with 725.130

Our electrician is Highly qualified and everything is inspected by local authorities that are well aware of code.

I found a flat panel LED light (1/2 inch thick), but it requires a housing, which is thicker than my ceiling can accommodate. Any other ideas out there? There is only 3/4" between the drywall ceiling and the duct work.