Ten years ago when you went to install your basic residential or commercial lighting it was a simple choice between incandescent or halogen light bulbs. Now, with all different levels of lighting automation available, there’s a whole new wave of options available. Instead of the basic on/off light switch, consumers are choosing between occupancy sensors, photocells, relays and automated systems all while they try to decipher how these will work with their current home or commercial electrical needs.

The huge growth in entry level lighting options doesn’t just affect consumers but professional integrators and electricians too as they look to increase sales and grow their business by tapping into the changing market.

In the lighting industry, the huge availability of cost effective products has gone a long way in increasing consumer awareness of the choices they have. However, what it hasn’t done is educate consumers of the true benefits and challenges associated with product diversity.

As a result, the professional installation industry is now working with a consumer that has been exposed to varied features and expectations on system capabilities. Whilst this can be difficult for contractors to navigate the good news is that with every challenge there is a way forward.

Integration

Most often, lighting solutions are designed to integrate and control their own brand of accessories, meaning they do not support third party integration or development. As such, contractors can be limited to one company who might not have the best solution for every problem. To anticipate compatibility issues make sure you take stock of your customer’s electrical infrastructure in the first instance so you can recommend products and solutions that you already know will work with the current system.

The end user

Many entry level products can be installed and configured by the end user, however professionally installed systems exceed in capability over the DIY products. System Integrators and electricians should focus and recommend these more powerful solutions which offer vast integration opportunities of connected technologies, such as audio visual, blinds, HVAC, energy and security. Ultimately, these solutions all share one thing in common; a professional to do the installation and the final commissioning.