Partnering with Darden

Lumenati ns
Fa ll 2014
Innovative solutions for commercial lighting professionals
Partnering
with Darden
Kichler delivered
commercial lighting
solutions for some
of America’s top
restaurant chains
+
Solutions in paradise
Cost-effective outdoor
lighting in Hawaii
LEDs
Choose the right light for
Fall 2014
your space
published by
1
Welcome
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,
Lumenati ns
ISSUE 1 • 2014
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR COMMERCIAL LIGHTING PROFESSIONALS
Partnering
with Darden
Kichler Lighting delivered
commercial lighting solutions
for some of America’s top
restaurant chains
+
Solutions in paradise
Cost-effective outdoor
lighting in Hawaii
LEDs
Choose the right light for
ISSUE 1 •your
2014 space
PUBLISHED BY
On the cover
Interior of The Capital
Grille restaurant
Tony Davidson
President and CEO
Kichler
2 • Lumenations
kichler.com
1
c ntents
Fa ll 2014
4
6
10
14
feature
departments
6
4
In the Spotlight
10
Case study: Solutions in Paradise
12
Expert Insights
14
LED Tips
15
Tech Talk
Partnering with Darden
How Kichler’s flexibility solved retrofitting challenges
at Darden restaurants
Lumenati ns
Managing Editor Todd Shryock
Editors Erik Cassano, Danielle Toth,
Brooke N. Bates
Project Manager Laura Green
Art Director Amanda Horvath
published by
Kichler
7711 East Pleasant Valley Road
Cleveland, Ohio 44131
New ceiling fans and LED products
How Kichler developed a cost-effective outdoor
lighting solution for the Hilton Waikoloa Village
• Choose the right LED fixture to enhance your space
• Identifying quality: What to look for in a product
7 tips for LED tape installs
The Kichler Advanced Technical Support team solves
complex product and installation problems
kichler.com
Lumenations is published by SBN Interactive,
835 Sharon Drive, Suite 200, Westlake, OH 44145
(440) 250-7000. sbninteractive.com
Fall 2014
3
sp tlight
In the
LINK™ #300168
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.
Ceiling fans add light, air flow and energy
savings to a variety of décors
Eagle PRF LED
New line of Teron flush-mount
fixtures brings the benefits
of LED to ceilings
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.
4 • Lumenations
Kichler DC motor fans come in 15 styles, capable of matching virtually
any décor and all are backed by a lifetime limited warranty.
Durable LED lamps
perfected for
exterior and interior
applications
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.
12v LED Lamp
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.
kichler.com
Superior performance for step and
corridor lighting fixtures
#12664
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.
#12606
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.
LED wall packs deliver powerful
lighting with long life
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.
Professionalgrade LED
flood and
accent lights
save energy
and look great
Design Pro LED
120V Accent
Light in Textured
Architectural
Bronze
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.
120V Design Pro LED
Accent Light
Teron wall packs are more than a lighting fixture —
they’re an exterior security solution.
Fall 2014
5
Partnering
with Darden
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 wellknown 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.”
6 • Lumenations
kichler.com
Photography by Phillip Makselan
Interior of redesigned
Olive Garden restaurant utilizing
Kichler pendant lighting fixtures
7
Custom Kichler fixtures accent the new
Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Olive Garden restaurant
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 Grille
In 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.
8 • Lumenations
Grouping of Kichler Everly™ pendants
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.
kichler.com
“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.”
Todd Taylor,
vice president of design,
Darden
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 partnership
Grouping of Kichler Mini Pendants
“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 energyconscious lighting kits to convert The Capital Grille’s LED
The 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.” ●
Seeing the light
Darden Restaurants and Kichler have worked together on a number of
projects across the country. Here are some highlights.
Restaurant: Olive
Garden
Work 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.
Fall 2014
Restaurant: The
Capital Grille
Work 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.
The Capital Grille
Restaurant: LongHorn
Steakhouse
Work 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.
9
case study
solutions in
paradise
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
10 • Lumenations
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.”
kichler.com
Design Pro LED
12V Accent light
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.”
Kichler LED lights
illuminate paths
around the Hilton
Waikoloa Village
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.
Kichler outdoor lighting poolside
at the Hilton Waikoloa Village
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.”
Fall 2014
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.” ●
11
expert insights
Color temperature:
Design Pro
LED Direct Wire
#12066SS
Choose the right LED fixture to enhance your space
Warm, pure
and cool white
for versatile
applications
range. 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.”
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.
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 blackand-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.”
“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.
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.
Correlated Color Temperature
Versatile applications
Light 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
12 • Lumenations
LED 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. ●
i
For more information, visit Kichler at www.kichler.com.
kichler.com
Identifying
quality:
What to look for in your
next lighting product
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.”
Testing
Perhaps 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 expectancy
Life expectancy of most light sources is equated to the
complete failure of the lamp. However, with LED light
Fall 2014
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. ●
13
LED tips
7
tips for LED tape installs
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.
kick lighting. High output is used for task or room lighting,
cove lighting and backlit signage.
3
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.
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 locationrated 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.
1
4
2
5
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.
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
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.
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. ●
14 • Lumenations
kichler.com
tech talk
At your service
The Kichler Advanced Technical Support team
solves complex product and installation problems
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.
Fall 2014
Sample product installation layout
Customers can submit blueprints and work
directly with ATS to receive recommendations
and CAD drawings that lay out lighting products
and all necessary components.
“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.” ●
i
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 [email protected].
15
7711 East Pleasant Valley Road
Cleveland, Ohio 44131-8010
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