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Commercial Lighting Solutions For SoCal Businesses: Why We Think Different Is Better

Posted by Matt Sedlock

May 21, 2013 4:30:00 AM

describe the imageWhen Western Energy Control Solutions took the opportunity to represent two of the top manufacturers in the lighting industry in southern California, we knew we were doing something a little different.

Offering Cree™ and Lutron™ product lines gives our clients the best possible opportunity to achieve aggressive goals for energy efficiency while using the top of the line products in terms of innovation and performance. That made sense to us. Instead of trying to be everything to everybody, our philosophy is to carry the top lines in selected product categories. Our business model seeks to create a family of products that don’t complete with each other but complement each other. We choose the top lines, become experts on our chosen brands and in doing so, we are better able to serve our customers in a way that achieved maximum growth and success.

How is that different? Most lighting companies represent hundreds of different lighting lines (and often there’s a lot of overlap in what those lines offer). Frankly, it’s impossible to be an expert on that many different lines of solutions and advise clients about which solution is best for them. At best, a company that offers hundreds of lines may know a little bit about a lot of things.

We thought a different approach was better. That’s one reason our plan is to never carry more than 10 product lines. Not only do we end up offering better quality products this way, but also by focusing on fewer (and better) products, we know this stuff inside out. That means when you come to us for advice about lighting or energy solutions, we know what will work for your specific situation. And if there’s ever a problem, we know how to take care of it. And we also know that the lines we choose are going to be around for years to come.

Is different really better? Our clients seem to think so. We’ve experienced tremendous growth. Even in a tough economy our focus on offering the best products and the most knowledgeable, expert services has enabled us to grow more than 30 percent in most of our markets. But what’s most important is that it enables our clients to know that they can count on getting the very best solutions for their business.  

We think different is better when that difference is focused on quality products and outstanding expert advice and service. If that’s a difference you’d like to see in the lighting and energy solutions you choose for your business, shoot me a note. I’d love to help you come up with a solution that will meet your needs—and exceed your expectations!

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Topics: cree, lutron, southern california commercial lighting, commercial lighting solution choices, value

Thinking Inside (And Outside) Of the Southern California Lighting Box

Posted by Jimm Reifsnyder

Apr 9, 2013 4:30:00 PM

Sensors thinking inside and outside the boxIf you’re responsible for the design, specification or installation of commercial or residential lighting systems, you know that your customers are increasingly thinking “outside the box” when it comes to solutions for their homes and businesses. Nobody, it seems, is content to simply “turn on the lights.”

Commercial and residential clients alike want solutions that offer more than illumination. They want solutions that automatically control lighting, window coverings and heating/cooling systems. And they’re after more than simple automation. They want to create environments that are more comfortable and more conducive to productivity. And they also want energy efficiency that is easier on the environment—and on their wallets.

That means if you want to meet your customers’ needs—whether they are commercial or residential customers—you need to provide “out-of-the-box” solutions that push the boundaries of conventional light and energy systems. But doing that will also require some “inside-the-box” thinking, because inside the “box” is where you’ll find the item that drives a lot of this capability: sensors.

It may seem obvious, but lights and window coverings and heating/cooling systems that automatically adjust still need something to tell them when to make an adjustment. It used to be: “Last one out, please turn off the lights!” Now the last one out turns off the lights (opens or closes the shades, and turns down the heat) without lifting a finger. And that’s a good thing, because people are notoriously bad at remembering to do those things—resulting in a lot of wasted energy.

Sensors can now track usage of rooms and automatically adjust the environment of the room according to need. Even if your customers forget to turn off the lights, the sensors in the systems you install for them won’t forget.

What’s really great for individuals in our industry (and of course, their customers) is that sensors today are more reliable—and affordable—than ever. And, yet, despite that, there is still a huge opportunity for both commercial and residential installation.

It’s not surprising that Lutron is leading the way in incorporating sensors into their lighting and energy control systems. They are even offering a Sensor Layout and Tuning Service to ensure that their wired or wireless daylight sensors and occupancy sensors will help projects achieve energy-savings goals. They even provide a detailed sensor layout for the installing contractor to use. And the service also includes up to two visits after installation to adjust the system for optimal results.

Are you thinking both “inside-and-outside-the-box” when it comes to lighting and energy controls for your customers? Are you taking advantage of the opportunities that sensors create to deliver the kind of systems your clients want?

If you’d like more information about incorporating sensors in commercial solutions, shoot Matt Sedlock a note. If you’re interested in residential solutions, send a note to me, Jimm Reifsnyder.

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Topics: Southern California Lighting Solutions, southern california commercial lighting, Energy Efficiency, Southern California residential lighting

Southern California Lighting Blog

This blog provides the latest news and information about Western Lighting & Energy Controls, its product lines, and other information to the lighitng industry.

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