You can buy an attachment that is a plug that has the screw-in side of a standard light - so it converts the socket into an electrical plug. Most hardware stores will carry them. Then you would probably need to either find a chandelier with a pluggable cord, or add a plug to the end of a hard-wire cord. I would think this would work but still maintain the function of the fan too.

Lowes sells a recessed light conversion kit: http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=129870-52361-CC-1&lpage=none&cm_mmc=search_gps-_-gps-_-gps-_-QMI%20Recessed%20Light%20Conversion%20Kit

I saw the conversion kit at Lowes, and was contemplating it. However, my dilemma arises from the fact that the light is in reality a heat lamp--the bulb is a 250W infrared (which gives off neither measurable heat nor a pleasing light). The fan operates on a different switch, though.

I talked to a few people at hardware stores, and the consensus seems to be that I can replace the bulb/use the converter kit as long as the wattage is lower than what the unit can handle (which I am assuming is 250W).

Oh, the dilemmas that arise when one is a renter...

You ought to be fine on the wattage -- a chandelier with over 250W would be overkill in pretty much any bathroom. I'd be more worried about the weight. If you're using one of those bulb-to-pendant conversion kits, you'll want to be sure whatever hanging lamp you have has sufficient support. If the pendant kit is just hanging from the threaded bulb holder, it won't be able to bear much weight at all. (I'd guess a couple of pounds, tops - but that's just a guess.) So if you're really planning on hanging a *chandelier*, you'd want to put in a sturdier hanger in the ceiling near the existing light/fan unit (preferably through a ceiling joist, depending on the weight of the chandelier and the condition of the ceiling).

Has anyone actually used one of these conversion kits? I have two recessed lights over my dining room table that I would LOVE to replace with pendants. Are they pretty easy to install??

There was a recent post on AT about a recessed light/exhaust combination.

Can't find the link, but I hope someone else can! It would work perfectly for your bathroom!

From what I can see from that picture -- and I may be wrong -- the air for the vent fan is sucked in around the bulb. If that's the case, then it might complicate using the retrofit kit.

I would probably use a bulb-to-socket converter, as the first poster mentioned, and hang the chandelier from a screwhook mounted to the ceiling. If the chandelier absolutely has to be centered on the existing fixture, then consider building a cover for it: build a simple wooden square, slightly larger than the fan unit, with a crosspiece to hold the light; cover it with some sort of grille material. Attach the cover to the ceiling around the fan, run the cord through the cover, and hang the fan from the cover.

Thank you so much for posting the link for the recessed light conversion kit! I really want to put pendants in the kitchen and this is just what I need!

I don't want to be a downer but I just wanted to mention there might be a code issue with installing a chandelier in that location. Its hard to tell from the picture but section 410.4 (D) of the 2002 NEC states that:

(D) Bathtub and Shower Areas. No parts of cord-connected luminaires (fixtures), hanging luminaires (fixtures), lighting track, pendants, or ceiling-suspended (paddle) fans shall be located within a zone measured 900 mm (3 ft) horizontally and 2.5 m (8 ft) vertically from the top of the bathtub rim or shower stall threshold. This zone is all encompassing and includes the zone directly over the tub or shower stall.

I'm not sure if your heat lamp/fan falls in that zone (which it can since its surface mounted) but I thought you should know especially as a renter.

Here's a good link explaining everything:
http://www.mikeholt.com/newsletters.php?action=display&letterID=397

That conversion kit isn't going to work for the OP's situation...
...and as someone posted, the screw-in converter won't support a light fixture of any weight.

The only other thing would be to swag the lightfixture from a hook elsewhere in the ceiling (I'd choose a corner) and plug the cord into the screw-in converter in this fan...
...tho that's not going to be a very attractive solution - so you might as well just use one of the outlets by the sink for your plug-in chandelier and swag it.

If you want to use a mini chandelier, a simple slip-on plug from any hardware store and a ceiling swag hook will allow you to do this easily. Make sure the total wattage used in the chandelier does not exceed what the bulb wattage maximum allowed is in the fan light (should be specified inside behind bulb).
Another option is to have an electrician put in a new exhaust fan (without light) and at the same time have him install a junction box centered in the room for a chandelier, flush ceiling light, or semi-flush ceiling light. This will come on at the same time as the exhaust fan and you can use a chandelier medallion if you have a large hole to cover.
Ashton Harrison
Shades of Light

RE: questions on those conversion kits. My Mom got one 2-3 years ago and it's a simple pendant that does indeed screw into the socket, the extra cording wraps around the spool inside the unit and a flange that grips to the wire to hold it up against the old fixture opening but take down the old trim ring however and it works fine since they use a a single small globe shaped bulb of no more than 40-60W in them and work fantastic.

Her's is over her kitchen sink where the original recessed can fixture is and it's an improvement to say the least.

Wow--thanks for your replies.

I did consider the weight issue; the conversion kits have weight limits which are clearly posted and which I was going to abide by. Also, the fixture is mounted into a concrete ceiling and has additional support holes already built in.

Unfortunately, I cannot run a wire from a socket by the sink, because I only have 2 outlets in the whole bathroom, both of which I use.

i had a similar issue (wanted to put a small chandelier fixture in where there is a plug in compact florescent). even had an electrician out to see about rewiring the whole thing and he said it would be easier to just hang the fixture from some small hooks inside the can and leave the existing bulb. did it and it works great!