Planning for the holiday season now is key to meeting your customers’ expectations. It is also a good time to check with your distributor network and begin ordering the products you will need for this season.
Many new products have been coming out for holiday use and all-year celebrations. Permanent holiday lighting seems to be a big trend in our landscape lighting industry.
Several manufacturers have released outstanding solutions to address a permanent lighting system. Most of these systems are installed underneath the eaves of the home or in their own track mount. Depending on the manufacturer, one can control these either through remote control, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, or a transformer with full control. Some of these can be adapted into digital multiplex systems for added control.
It’s important to educate yourself on these new systems. Choose the one that will work best for you and your clients. Most manufacturers will be glad to speak with you about the features and benefits as well as the installation practices.
Get fully trained in the operation and installation procedures of these systems to make sure you look good when describing this to your customer.
Several manufacturers now have transformers that work with their fixtures. These encompass an entire color changing system.
These systems offer some dynamic results as far as color changing and full control. Your white light and Kelvin temperature changing can also be done through the systems. A benefit of these is that they can be used all year long for everyday landscape lighting and holiday lighting.
When choosing a manufacturer, it’s very important to remember that the manufacturers have created a complete system that only works with their transformers and fixtures. This will be very good when it’s a new installation. Get fully trained in the operation and installation procedures of these systems to make sure you look good when describing this to your customer.
Several manufacturers have retrofit products that will allow you to convert an older system into a newer smart system. These will be in the form of retrofit lamps that will fit into most fixtures. Be sure to check the fixture ahead of time to see if the lamp will fit into it. One must do a little bit of extra homework as well when installing these retrofit projects.
If you’re working with Wi-Fi, you may need to check with the manufacturer on the best practices for installing these products. You may even seek the assistance of a Wi-Fi professional. These professionals can provide you with a stronger Wi-Fi signal out into the landscape for the customers’ current system. Once the Wi-Fi is connected properly, the customer can control these products through an app. The control can be done from anywhere in the world if they have a good cellular or Wi-Fi signal. Most apps are made for handheld devices, so be aware of that before someone wants to control this on their computer.
If Wi-Fi becomes a problem, Bluetooth systems are also available. Range can be extended with Bluetooth repeaters which work with that manufacturer’s products. Keep in mind that Bluetooth systems will not allow you full control from anywhere in the world, but instead allow for local control on that property. Discuss all these options to make sure that your customers’ expectations are clear before installing any of these products.
Many manufacturers make a variety of static-colored lamps. These lamps can be retrofit into all fixtures depending on the lamp type. Common lamps will be G4 by pins, MR16s and PAR36 styles. Beam spreads and wattages may be limited on these products.
With static colors, one is usually limited to red, blue, green and amber. To create another color, one can use a fixture that can take two lamps. By mixing green and blue together one can get an aqua look. Red and amber can create an orange color. Red combined with blue can create magenta.
Education in the requirements of all system constructions, as well as all cultural holidays will give you the ability to articulate with confidence when speaking with your clients. Speak to them about their lighting requirements and ask about the holidays they may celebrate.
I wish you all the best in the upcoming holiday season and all holidays you celebrate.
