1Fall 2014

Lumenati ns

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Fall 2014

InnovatIve solutIons For commercIal lIghtIng proFessIonals

Partnering with DardenKichler delivered commercial lighting solutions for some of America’s top restaurant chains

Solutions in paradiseCost-effective outdoor lighting in Hawaii

LEDs Choose the right light for your space

publIshed by

2 • Lumenations kichler.com

Welcome

1ISSUE 1 • 2014

Lumenati ns

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ISSUE 1 • 2014

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR COMMERCIAL LIGHTING PROFESSIONALS

Partnering with DardenKichler Lighting delivered commercial lighting solutions for some of America’s top restaurant chains

Solutions in paradiseCost-effective outdoor lighting in Hawaii

LEDs Choose the right light for your space

PUBLISHED BY

For more than 75 years, you’ve known Kichler as a leader in decorative lighting. And we still are, as you can find high-quality, attractive Kichler fixtures illuminating interiors and exteriors across North America.

What you might not know is that there is a good chance Kichler also lit the restaurant where you recently dined, the last hotel where you stayed, your child’s school and the assisted-living facility where a loved one resides. Our leadership in the development and advancement of high-performing LED products has further propelled us beyond the residential spaces where we initially built our reputation for design, quality and service.

Kichler’s commercial and hospitality lighting business has been a well-kept secret — a secret that we want to share with the world. The pages of this edition of Lumenations will shed light — pun intended — on some of what Kichler does in the commercial and hospitality lighting space and the lighting solutions that we can provide to the specifier, contractor and our distributors.

Several years ago, we acquired Teron Lighting, which vastly increased our presence in commercial lighting. We now sell lighting solutions under both the Kichler and Teron brands, representing a full system of solutions, not just products. We are committed to working with our clients to deliver lighting results that meet the unique needs and timeline of each project.

We have had many high-profile installations, including Marriott, Hilton, Ritz-Carlton, Sandals resorts, Subway, Wendy’s, Olive Garden and The Capital Grille. We have utilized our expertise and wide portfolio of product capabilities to provide large-scale lighting solutions for those clients and others.

Our rich history of performance, safety and customer service is now fully available for commercial projects. We can bring to our professional clients the same customer relationships that have shaped our reputation and success for decades. As a family-run business, we truly understand and value relationships. Kichler was purchased by Sam Minoff in 1954, and there are

now three generations of the Minoff family actively involved in the business.

As you read through our new magazine, I sincerely hope you will see Kichler in a new light. Expanding on our 75 years of designing and selling decorative lighting products, we encourage you to look to us as a manufacturer that can provide lighting solutions for commercial, hospitality and multifamily projects. Kichler has been, and always will be, committed to product innovation, quality and high service levels in meeting your expectations. I hope you will give us the opportunity to demonstrate our capabilities on your next lighting project.

Thank you,

Tony DavidsonPresident and CEOKichler

On the cover

Interior of The Capital Grille restaurant

3Fall 2014

c ntents

feature departments46

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Partnering with Darden In the SpotlightNew ceiling fans and LED products

Case study: Solutions in ParadiseHow Kichler developed a cost-effective outdoor lighting solution for the Hilton Waikoloa Village

Expert Insights• Choose the right LED fixture to enhance your space• Identifying quality: What to look for in a product

LED Tips7 tips for LED tape installs

Tech TalkThe Kichler Advanced Technical Support team solves complex product and installation problems

How Kichler’s flexibility solved retrofitting challenges at Darden restaurants

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Lumenati ns publIshed by

managIng edItor Todd Shryock

edItors Erik Cassano, Danielle Toth, Brooke N. Bates

project manager Laura Green

art dIrector Amanda Horvath

Lumenations is published by SBN Interactive, 835 Sharon Drive, Suite 200, Westlake, OH 44145 (440) 250-7000. sbninteractive.com

Kichler 7711 East Pleasant Valley RoadCleveland, Ohio 44131

kichler.com

Fall 2014

4 • Lumenations kichler.com

sp tlightIn the

Kichler is bringing the performance and durability of LED lighting to your retail, commercial and hospitality applications with our line of 12-volt and 120-volt LED lamps.

Ideal for security, accent and flood lighting, Kichler LED lamps can fit any 12v or 120v-277v system. Because they’re weather-coated and epoxy-potted, they are suitable for both wet and dry locations, in open or enclosed fixtures. And they come with a 30,000-hour or six-year warranty.

Kichler LED lamps come in a wide range of color temperature choices (2700K, 3000K, and 4200K) and beam spreads — as narrow as 15 degrees, all the way to a 60 degree-wide flood. No matter the desired effect, Kichler lamps can light the way.

New Kichler® DC fans are up to 70 percent more efficient than AC models

The performance and durability that you’ve come to expect from Kichler can now be found in ceiling fans. Kichler’s line of DC motor fans is part of our largest fan release ever and a game changer for commercial, hospitality and residential applications, as well as national account business.

Kichler DC motor fans save money and energy. They are up to 70 percent more efficient than AC motor fans — even more efficient than ENERgy STAR-rated fans — and because they operate at cooler temperatures than AC models, they last longer. Kichler’s lighter-weight design allows for easier installation in any space, and once you have installed our fans, the only thing you will notice is the breeze, as the motor is virtually silent.

Kichler DC motor fans come in 15 styles, capable of matching virtually any décor and all are backed by a lifetime limited warranty.

These fixtures feature a low profile, ideal for corridors, foyers and living areas, and come in a variety of distinctive designs to complement any type of project. Available in 120v and 277v, the fixtures come in a wide range of colors and finishes, provide a 50,000-hour life and are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Buy American provision of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.

Durable LED lamps perfected for exterior and interior applications

New line of Teron flush-mount fixtures brings the benefits of LED to ceilings

Ceiling fans add light, air flow and energy savings to a variety of décors

12v LED Lamp

LINK™ #300168

Eagle PRF LED

5Fall 2014

Professional-grade LED flood and accent lights save energy and look great

Kichler’s Design Pro LED flood lights with Radiax™ optics deliver professional-grade performance and durability for any project.

The 120V lights are sealed and fully potted, providing all-weather protection for the exclusive Radiax™ optics to deliver the highest lumens per watt in the industry. Available in a variety of finishes, including Bronzed Brass, Textured White and Textured Architectural Bronze, the lighting fixtures blend with their environment so they are unobtrusive when they’re not shining.

Design Pro flood lights are available in two distinctive color temperatures or Kelvin (K) — 3000K offers pure white light and 4250K delivers a cooler white light ideal for commercial applications.

As always, the 40,000-hour fixtures are backed by Kichler’s 10-year commercial warranty — an unmatched warranty for a product with unmatched durability.

No matter the décor, no matter the desired lighting effect, Kichler’s step and corridor lighting fixtures can deliver superior performance to any space — while still delivering the savings and durability of LED technology.

Our installation-friendly design includes push-in wire connectors and captive mounting screws, and can be retrofitted to any existing junction box. With an aluminum housing and die-cast aluminum faceplates, our step and corridor lights are also rated for damp locations.

The even effect provided by LED lighting means a balanced light beam free of shadows, cutoffs and striping, giving any space attractive ambient lighting that also serves as a safety feature, illuminating corners, steps and other potential hazards.

Each light fixture features a 40,000-hour rated lifespan and 10-year Kichler warranty on the LED and light engine.

Superior performance for step and corridor lighting fixtures

Teron Lighting, a subsidiary of Kichler, produces LED wall packs that light the night for customers, employees, residents, deliverymen and anyone else who needs a secure, illuminated path to a building.

Ideal for entryways, elevated parking lot lighting or adding extra security to alleys and alcoves, our wall packs deliver powerful light with the energy savings and long life our customers have come to expect from LED technology. These commercial-grade products are made in the U.S.A. and meet or exceed specifications of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Teron wall packs come in a variety of sizes and fixtures to suit any location with just the right amount of light, and their durability makes them able to withstand virtually any environmental condition, whether it’s hot summer sunlight, driving rain or winter ice and snow. They meet ENERgy STAR ratings and serve markets such as assisted living/health care, commercial, education, government, hospitality and multifamily structures.

Teron wall packs are more than a lighting fixture — they’re an exterior security solution.

LED wall packs deliver powerful lighting with long life

#12606

#12664

Design Pro LED 120V Accent

Light in Textured Architectural

Bronze

120V Design Pro LED Accent Light

Partnering How Kichler’s

customized flexibility solved retrofitting

challenges at Darden restaurants

By Brooke N. Bates

D arden Restaurants Inc., operator of some of the most well-known names in dining, including Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse and The Capital Grille, first crossed paths with

Kichler while in search of glass for discontinued fixtures used in Olive Garden’s renovation program.

Todd Taylor, Darden’s vice president of design, needed a partner that could develop a prototype with the capacity to roll out the design across as many as 850 restaurants. Kichler supplied the glass Darden needed and demonstrated an ability to handle additional work as required. “We were trying to find somebody who could help us move forward with a new look and be able to produce it at the volumes we needed,” Taylor says. “As I looked through the various lighting companies, Kichler seemed to have a very broad base of lighting styles, as well as technique to develop the lights in their portfolio.”

Dardenwith

6 • Lumenations kichler.com

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Interior of redesigned Olive garden restaurant utilizing Kichler pendant lighting fixtures

Photography by P

hillip Makselan

8 • Lumenations kichler.com

Kichler supplied what Darden needed, and although the initial scope of the Olive Garden retrofits diminished, Taylor saw that Kichler had the capabilities and the technical capacity to tackle Darden-sized projects — along with the flexibility to handle schedule changes. “The flexibility was key for us,” Taylor says. “As we go forward in the remodel program, it will move very quickly, and I needed a company that could get behind that and have fixtures on the shelves, ready to send us at a moment’s notice.”

More collaborations began flowing, and as Darden continued to retrofit other restaurant chains, Kichler became a key lighting partner to deliver what it wanted, when it needed it.

The Capital GrilleIn 2009, Darden began updating lights inside The Capital Grille restaurants. Over the years, various manufacturers had helped develop decorative light fixtures for the fine-dining atmosphere as the restaurant group changed the types of lighting. “We had gone from using incandescent light to compact fluorescent, and then we moved to LED, thinking that we needed to move in those directions,” Taylor says. “The problem at that time was that those technologies did not afford us the warmth and the ability to dim down the lights. I couldn’t replace them with all new fixtures, so we had to retrofit those existing fixtures.” The project required customization for each location, and Darden called on Kichler. Each of The Capital Grille restaurants presented a unique retrofitting challenge, with its own layout, electrical setup, dimming source and quantity of fixtures. The project required not just creating a fixture to be replicated throughout 22 properties but customizing fixtures for 22 distinct properties.

The project’s variable specifications presented a number of challenges. Often, timelines tightened unexpectedly and challenged Kichler to expedite delivery, as a three-month timeline suddenly shrank to half of that. By reacting quickly to changes — in spite of other demanding requirements — Kichler kept the project moving smoothly.

“We needed a company that could come in at nighttime after hours and ensure that everything was organized, from security to scaffolding,” Taylor says. “What was interesting was that it wasn’t just a lighting production or manufacturing request. It was a request for somebody to really step outside the box and do a lot more to make sure that it was all done and taken care of — with very few challenges for us as a company.” Kichler’s coordination with Darden grew much more involved as the teams collaborated on design. While Taylor’s in-house design team contributed significant aesthetic direction, Kichler acted as an engineering resource to balance visual goals with safe, effective functionality. “They have the design and engineering wherewithal to know what is appropriate from a scale or proportion standpoint, and they also know what materials can do,” Taylor says. “So we may envision something and think, ‘Wow, this sounds really great,’ but if, from an engineering standpoint, it won’t work, they’re the kind of company that will come back to you not with, ‘No, I’m sorry, it won’t work,’ but instead, ‘Here are some alternative options that will allow you to accomplish the goal.’” One of Darden’s goals from the start was to reduce its energy consumption with LED technology, not realizing that in the early stages of this technology, LED bulbs flickered instead of dimming down to a relaxing 1 or 2 percent, a characteristic that was crucial to the elegance of The Capital Grille.

Custom Kichler fixtures accent the new Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Olive garden restaurant grouping of Kichler Everly™ pendants

9Fall 2014

“The problem is that, even though technology has made advancements, it’s not always compatible in old restaurants, and LED really did not work well in that environment,” Taylor says. “Part of the challenge was, how do we make the changes but find an energy-efficient light source that has a long lamp life and uses limited energy?” With all of these requirements — from tight timelines to energy reduction initiatives to all of the constraints involved in a retrofit as opposed to a new design — Darden tasked Kichler with developing a simple retrofit that Darden’s electricians could easily install. By late 2012, Kichler had delivered a series of energy-conscious lighting kits to convert The Capital Grille’s LED

Restaurant: Olive gardenWork performed: Supplied glass for Olive garden lighting fixtures after its supplier could no longer provide it. Kichler also worked with Olive garden to provide fixtures for its new Olive garden Italian Kitchen concept in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., the first one in the country, with plans for a national rollout.

Seeing the light

Todd Taylor, vice president of design, Darden

grouping of Kichler Mini Pendants

“As I looked through the various lighting companies, Kichler seemed to have a very broad base of lighting styles, as well as technique to develop the lights in their portfolio.”

fixtures back into incandescent fixtures of all shapes and sizes that met UL requirements while emitting the soft, warm light that Darden had envisioned. Ongoing partnershipThe Capital Grille retrofit has given way to other projects between Darden and Kichler, including Western-themed interior fixtures for the LongHorn Steakhouse, designed and manufactured to look like antlers. Additionally, Kichler LED landscape fixtures for the restaurant chain are in the process of being installed. From design details to technical problem solving to high-quality end products and expert support throughout, Kichler proved to be more than just a lighting manufacturer.

“They’re a great partner,” Taylor says. “They are a team player, so they’re not going to push something on you that’s not appropriate for your brand. They really align their goals with yours. They get on board quickly; The Capital Grille truly demonstrated that. They stepped way outside of what they normally would do as simply a manufacturer, and they found ways to work with us. The partnership we’ve established with them is so very strong.” ●

Restaurant: The Capital GrilleWork performed: Custom retrofitted light fixtures at all The Capital grille locations to provide restaurant staff with better control over the lighting to create the optimal dining experience. Kichler matched specific design details, solved technical problems and worked hard to produce high-quality products. Crews worked after hours and on tight deadlines to meet objectives.

Darden Restaurants and Kichler have worked together on a number of projects across the country. Here are some highlights.

The Capital Grille

Restaurant: LongHorn SteakhouseWork performed: Created Western-themed interior fixtures made to look like antlers and utilized Kichler exterior LED landscape products, which provided functional lighting and energy efficiency.

10 • Lumenations kichler.com

case study

SOluTIOnS In

How Kichler developed a cost-effective outdoor lighting solution for the Hilton Waikoloa Village

T he Hilton Waikoloa Village is the largest resort in Hawaii, covering 67 acres on Hawaii’s Big Island, and is traversed by miles and miles of walkways.

Guests enjoy the resort’s amenities and views 24 hours a day, making well-lit walkways and public gathering spaces a must. Until recently, that job was performed by cumbersome metal halide light fixtures suspended more than 40 feet above the ground, in the tops of the property’s palm trees. The

paradise

fixtures were costly, inefficient, high maintenance and heavy enough to pose a danger of falling in the sometimes-harsh weather environment.

“They’d sometimes come down in high winds,” says Dave Pamer, Kichler’s vice president of sales. “Even if they stayed securely in place, they were still a challenge to maintain because of their weight and the fact that they required frequent lamp replacements.”

11Fall 2014

The inconvenience and maintenance costs of the old fixtures, combined with rising energy costs, prompted the resort to look for a new solution. Kichler provided that solution with its line of 12-volt Design Pro LED lighting fixtures. Kichler’s LED fixtures are long lasting and can be installed at ladder height.

Unlike metal halide, the Kichler Design Pro fixtures did not create hot spots and glare when mounted at lower heights, says Chuck Hoover, Kichler’s Hawaii landscape lighting sales representative. “It allowed them to move the fixtures lower on the trees, to the point where it only took one worker on a ladder about 20 minutes to perform a replacement — and those replacements have been rare.”

Since beginning the LED installation project four years ago, the Hilton Waikoloa Village has installed 540 Kichler fixtures in more than 100 palm trees around the resort grounds. The savings have been substantial, in terms of energy costs, maintenance costs and man hours.

“If you break it down per fixture, they’ve had a 90 percent energy savings per fixture, and the longevity of the LED lights means they’re not a continuous maintenance issue,” Hoover says.

Overall, the energy savings for the resort amounts to 400,000 kilowatt hours per year, adding up to a savings of $100,000 annually. Maintenance costs have been slashed by 50 percent and maintenance incidences are down 95 percent. The bulb life of the LED fixtures is 15 years, resulting in a lifetime maintenance savings of $500,000 for the resort.

On top of that, the LED fixtures provide a more even lighting effect than metal halide fixtures, eliminating hot spots caused by uneven lighting and creating a visually appealing moonlight effect on the resort’s walkways.

“Hilton recognized the return on investment provided by LED lighting, and they capitalized on it,” Hoover says. “We provided them with the product, but I think their engineering department is the real hero in this case.” ●

When a lamp or fixture failed on a metal halide fixture, replacing it required a lift truck and two workers — one to perform the replacement and another to stand on the ground and divert guest traffic as a precaution in case the fixture fell.

It took two workers an hour each to replace one fixture, and those replacements were fairly common,” Pamer says. “They were using two man-hours to service a single fixture.”

Design Pro LED 12V Accent light

Kichler outdoor lighting poolside at the Hilton Waikoloa Village

Kichler LED lights illuminate paths around the Hilton Waikoloa Village

12 • Lumenations kichler.com

C hoosing a light fixture seems like a simple task, but there are several factors to consider to ensure you are selecting the right one for the available space. LED

fixtures reduce energy use, as they use only 15 to 25 percent of the energy consumed by a comparable incandescent light source to deliver equal lumen levels. They also have a longer life and lower heat generation, are smaller in size, contain no harmful toxins and do not emit dangerous ultraviolet rays.

“Because of their characteristics, LED lights affect the appearance of the location in which they are installed, so it is important to keep Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) and Color Rendering Index (CRI) in mind,” says Jeff Dross, Kichler’s corporate director of education and industry trends.

“Many people don’t pay attention to these factors when selecting the right light for their project, and that can lead to disappointment in the light’s appearance,” he says.

Correlated Color TemperatureLight color is measured on the Kelvin (K) temperature scale, with a lower number indicating that the light appears warmer and a higher number indicating the light appears cooler. Here is a general guide for selecting the right temperature.

• LED fixtures or lamps rated 2700-2900K for warm white light

• LED fixtures or lamps rated 3000-3500K for pure white light

• LED fixtures or lamps rated 3600-6500K for cool white light

You can further narrow Correlated Color Temperature based on the surrounding space. If the project you are lighting includes warm colors, such as wood, beige neutrals, yellows, oranges, gold or earth tones, choose something in the 2700K

Choose the right LED fixture to enhance your spacerange. If the room contains cooler colors, such as blues, gray neutrals, stainless steel, black, white or purple, choose a light in the 3000K range. 4200K is commonly used in commercial spaces for a crisp, clean appearance.

“The location is important because you want the light to complement the project’s colors and create the right ambiance and atmosphere,” Dross says. “When placed correctly, such as to create an even flow of light or create drama, they are fantastic.”

Also consider the CRI of your LED light source. CRI measures how accurately a light interprets colors when compared to an ideal light source. On this scale, zero represents a black-and-white television and 100 is the theoretical perfect score, although it is difficult to achieve 100 because of inconsistencies and inefficiencies in perfect light. For the best results, look for light sources that have a minimum CRI in the 80s.

“The 80s provide nice color representation,” Dross says. “CRI really works in tandem with the Correlated Color Temperature scale; you can’t look at one without the other. You need both good temperature and a good color rendering to achieve good lighting.”

If the CRI is not available on the spec sheet or packaging, ask the supplier what that number is. Or look for the ENERGY STAR symbol, which indicates the bulb has a minimum CRI in the 80s.

Versatile applicationsLED lights can be seen outside, even during daylight hours, so they can be used for traffic lights, tunnels and buildings. In addition, LEDs emit 90 percent less heat than standard halogen lights, and they do not give off radiant heat. They do release conductive heat, so thermal designs such as heat sinks are necessary to disperse this heat.

Though the gap is narrowing, the initial cost of LED lighting is more expensive than traditional lighting. However, with energy savings of 85 percent, the lifetime cost of LED fixtures is typically lower than other light source options. And, of course, the more hours the fixture is used per day, the faster the payback. ●

expert insights

Color temperature:

For more information, visit Kichler at www.kichler.com.i

Warm, pure and cool white

for versatile applications

Design Pro LED Direct Wire #12066SS

13Fall 2014

T here are many types of lamps and fixtures available in the marketplace, but not all are created equal.

“When choosing a lighting product, you need to both look at the label and talk to the supplier,” says John Andrisin, director of engineering at Kichler. “There are many tests a lamp or fixture can go through to make sure it is a quality product that meets regulatory requirements, and there is information you should look for on a package. Talk to your manufacturer’s representative about this information and make sure the company can substantiate the product’s claim with its own tests.”

TestingPerhaps the most important characteristic to look for in any electrical product is safety. All lighting products should be safety certified by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). There are several product markings that indicate the product has been tested and complies with North American Safety Standards. Look for products marked with a UL, ETL or CSA logo to ensure the safety of your next lighting product.

“Kichler’s Product Certification Department, for example, is responsible for ensuring applicable products meet or exceed requirements defined by these safety standards,” says Andrisin.

In addition to safety certifications, IESNA LM-79 2008, often referred to as LM-79 testing, is a standardized industry test conducted on light fixtures and light sources. This test measures performance characteristics such as lumens, energy consumption, Color Rendering Index and color temperature. The LM-79 test is used for creating the Federal Trade Commission’s mandatory Lighting Facts labels. Again, all lamps and fixtures are not created equal. The Lighting Facts labels provide a standardized snapshot of a product’s performance, so consumers can compare apples to apples.

lumens and life expectancyLife expectancy of most light sources is equated to the complete failure of the lamp. However, with LED light

What to look for in your next lighting product

lED lights, which don’t have a filament, have a rated life of approximately 30,000 hours. Incandescent and halogen lamps typically last for 1,000 hours, while fluorescent lamps last 10,000 hours.

sources, which can last for more than 100,000 hours, life expectancy actually measures the point at which the decline in lumens begins to be noticeable to the human eye. “First consider the lumen output you get when you turn on a new lamp or fixture as 100 percent of rated lumens,” Andrisin says. “Studies show that the human eye doesn’t detect a decrease in output until the lumens reach 70 percent of that initial value. When looking at life expectancy or lamp life of an LED product, if it states it lasts 30,000 hours, that means that after 30,000 hours, you will have 70 percent of your initial light output and may start to notice a difference, but the lamp will still continue to operate and function for years to come.”

LED lights, which don’t have a filament, can have a rated life of approximately 30,000 hours. Incandescent and halogen lamps typically last for 1,000 hours, while fluorescent lamps last 10,000 hours. ●

Identifying quality:

14 • Lumenations kichler.com

l ED tape is the perfect product for lighting up architectural features and helping your clients customize their lighting needs. While LED tape has

opened up a market for contractors due to its flexibility, the application is not as simple as tearing off a piece of tape and sticking it to the surface.

Here are seven tips for LED tape installs from Ben Korman, product manager for lighting systems, and Michael Allen, manager of advanced technical support at Kichler, to ensure your next project goes off without a hitch.

1 Plan ahead. Determine where you are going to place wires and connections before the installation. Don’t cut

the tape until you know exactly how much you need and where it will be placed. While you can remove and reapply the tape, it is not recommended doing so more than a few times, as it will diminish the strength of the adhesive.

2 Choose the correct light intensity. Choose the correct intensity to produce the best and most desirable effect.

Low-output lighting is best for accent lighting and is the best choice for wall wash, display cases, inside cabinets or toe

kick lighting. High output is used for task or room lighting, cove lighting and backlit signage.

3 Spec the right LED tape for the job. LED tape light is available in different application types such as dry

location, damp location and wet location. Wet location-rated LED is moisture proof to protect against precipitation. Moisture-proof wet location tape can come in direct contact with water but is not meant to be submerged for any length of time. Choosing the right style for the job application will assure trouble-free, long-lasting performance.

4 Pay attention to color. Lower Correlated Color Temperatures (around 2700 Kelvin) produce warm

white light, which complements a warm-toned room. Higher Correlated Color Temperatures (3000+ Kelvin) produce pure white or a cooler white light, which is best in cool-toned rooms. In addition, choose a light with a Color Rendering Index (CRI) in the 80s or higher for the best color representation.

5 Do not exceed the maximum run length. This refers to the maximum number of continuous linear feet of LED

tape that can be connected together. Exceeding the specified run lengths will result in voltage drop, which reduces the light output and puts more strain on the product, shortening its life span. Multiple strands or sections of LED tape light can be connected to one power supply as long as you do not exceed the wattage of the power supply and maximum run length of the tape light.

6 Examine the type of LED tape before buying. Research the manufacturer and its products. The

popularity of tape light has created a surge of overnight and direct-import companies. While some companies’ products may seem attractive, many come at a risk of poor quality, lack of support, and in some cases, are not certified by the standard safety regulations (UL or ETL).

7 Read the warranty carefully. A good company will warrant that its products will be free from defects in

material and workmanship. Kichler, for example, warrants its LED tape light for five years from the date of purchase by the original purchaser. ●

7tips for LED tape installs

LED tips

15Fall 2014

tech talk

l ighting decisions used to be as simple as choosing a lighting fixture. As options continue to grow more complex to include custom lighting systems, the need

for specialized technical service has increased, prompting Kichler to launch an Advanced Technical Support (ATS) team earlier this year.

“As our products have advanced into outdoor LED flood and accent lighting and systems lighting like undercabinet and tape, the need to service engineered products for our customers has gotten much more complex and technical,” says Michael Allen, manager of the ATS department.

Kichler’s new ATS department now adds a third level of service and support for its customers. Customer service representatives (CSRs) handle basic inquiries about orders, shipping details and product information. Technical Service Representatives (TSRs), who have been an integral part of Kichler’s customer service organization for many years, handle technical product questions on a routine basis and serve as the first contact for technical support.

More advanced issues or questions are now handled by our ATS team, which is dedicated to answering the most difficult technical questions about lighting installation, operation and certification specifications, in addition to providing detailed lighting layouts for landscape and LED tape lighting jobs.

For the customer, the two technical tiers are seamless. “Our tier one tech team of TSRs handles about 90 percent of the calls that come through,” Allen says. “It might be a question of, ‘Which power supply should I use with this product?’ or, ‘What dimmer do I use?’ The inquiry is typically elevated to us if it’s an engineer or an architect looking for more specific detail; they want to know operating ranges of a product or how it can be installed on a job.”

The creation of the ATS team fills a gap between customer service and product managers. A former product manager himself, Allen frequently dealt with the overflow of technical questions from Kichler’s technical service reps.

At your service The Kichler Advanced Technical Support team solves complex product and installation problems

“Now we’ve been able to provide more comprehensive technical support for our product managers and let them focus on understanding market opportunities and developing new products,” Allen says. “That was a huge gap we filled by creating this department. It allows our product managers to focus more on the business, while giving our customers a direct line to getting the technical support they need. It definitely helps streamline what our customers get from us in terms of a more timely response.”

About 95 percent of the ATS team’s work involves lighting layouts for lighting installers. Customers can submit blueprints and work directly with ATS to receive recommendations and CAD drawings that lay out lighting products and all necessary components. The typical turnaround time for layout designs, complete with a bill of materials, is 48 hours.

ATS’ depth of service and quick turnaround times are already receiving praise from satisfied customers.

“Kichler has always been known for top-rated customer service, so coming in as part of the customer service team, we’ve got some big shoes to fill,” Allen says. “We’re keeping that flame alive and keeping the customer service top-notch by responding to our customers in a timely fashion and going that extra mile to take care of their needs. They come to Kichler for a wide range of products, and with our ATS service, they can buy with the utmost confidence that they’re going to get the technical help they need, and fast.” ●

Technical inquiries can be emailed to techsupport@kichler.com, or call us at (888) 659-8808, Option #3, for tech support. For layout help, email layouts@kichler.com.

Customers can submit blueprints and work directly with ATS to receive recommendations and CAD drawings that lay out lighting products and all necessary components.

i

Sample product installation layout

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Kichler Brand Architecture – Branded HouseTeron Lighting by KICHLER is a leader in providing a wide range of commercial grade energy efficient green lighting solutions to fulfill the specialized needs of assisted living/healthcare, commercial, educational, government, hospitality and multi-family facilities.

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