SNAPONE

THE LIGHTING OPPORTUNITY

Jeff Thomas, Product Manager for Lighting from Snap One, explores how consumer trends and new technology are creating opportunities for installers to grow their business in lighting and lighting control.

We have built an industry on creating and delivering premium quality audio-visual experiences for homeowners. That expertise will continue to be a fundamental pillar, essential to our continuing success as a sector.

However, through continued research and advances in technology, new categories of integration and automation present opportunities that not only enhance everyday experiences, but also provide a better standard of living. We can offer a range of attractive customised lighting solutions for clients that extend beyond lighting switches and dimming controls.

This is a major market opportunity that would add an entirely new category for integrators.

EDUCATING CLIENTS

The typical on/off light switch is one of the most familiar and longest-lived home technologies ever, having retained the same basic design and functionality for nearly 130 years. But lighting and lighting control have come a long way, especially in the last few years.

The vast majority of homeowners can be readily persuaded to move away from the basic light switch when they learn how a kitchen or open plan living space with six on/off light switches can now be controlled through a much more appealing multi-button keypad featuring custom-engraved buttons. Not only is the keypad more attractive, but each button can provide simple on/off and dimming control of individual lights as well as one-touch control of multiple lights preconfigured to the customer’s preferred light levels.

Adding to brightness control, today’s integrators can deploy a spectrum of advanced capabilities that transform everyday experiences at home for clients and their families, adding new levels of vibrancy and enjoyment.

Pre-programmed lighting scenes are still one of the easiest and most powerful demonstrations in a showroom. Homeowners are quickly impressed by the synchronised ramping and the perfected presets, becoming excited as they imagine how lighting scenes would enhance their everyday needs and tasks, from dining and cleaning, to relaxing and entertaining, each with specific lighting levels, colours, and use of fixtures.

Integrators can enhance that experience further still with voice control, scheduled automation, trigger-based illumination, tuneable coloured LED bulbs and fixtures, and direct integration with security systems.

IMPROVING DESIGN AND AESTHETICS

As lighting control and home automation adoption increases, integrators can provide more options, colours and styles to meet the demanding aesthetic expectations of a wider range of interior designers, architects and clients.

Take Snap One’s recently launched Contemporary Lighting range as an example. Contemporary Lighting brings an attractive industrial design with a choice of ten exclusive finishes that will provide the perfect complement to modern interior design schemes.