The path from LED upgrade proposal to design plan to installation isn’t always a straight line. Product availability, customer changes, and the realities of each location can throw a wrench in even the best laid installation plans.

For LED companies, having options can smooth out bumps that can derail an installation timeline. That’s what makes fixtures with selectable correlated color temperature (CCT) such a lifesaver.

In this post, we’ll talk about some of the advantages selectable CCT LED lights offer to distributors and contractors, as well as how they can streamline the installation process, helping LED companies avoid costly delays.

Benefits of Selectable Color Temperature LEDs for Distributors

Let’s face it, there is only so much available shelf space in a distributor’s warehouse, and choices have to be made on what to have in stock.

Having to keep an inventory of an LED fixture in multiple SKUs, just in case you need them? That’s a lot of occupied shelf space – which is less space available for a wider variety of LED products or even some new, innovative products customers may want to try.

No one has a crystal ball, so distributors can’t know in advance which SKUs will be needed for upcoming customer LED projects or in what quantity. A selectable color temperature LED fixture sets distributors up to be able to outfit contractors without making bets on future needs; bets that can leave them with inventory that doesn’t move.

Benefits of Selectable Color Temperature LEDs for Contractors

When a contractor is kitting out material for a project and loading equipment on a truck, they’re operating off the specs and the client’s requests.

Let’s say the client wants 5000K initially, then decides it’s not the right choice once they see the light in place. The contractors will have to reorder a different CCT, incur more shipping costs, go through the return material authorization (RMA) process, pull the correct fixtures, swap out the wrong fixtures for the new ones, etc. It’s a huge time waste that can delay project timelines and cut into profitability.

With color temperature selection, all they would need to do is go into the space and flip the switch to a different CCT. Depending on the number of fixtures, this can still be a big job, but much less of a hassle than having to replace the fixture altogether.

Bottom line: an installation that has fixture uniformity – but allows for color temperature selection by area – gives the install team the flexibility to adjust to conditions without slowing down the process … or having to adjust to a new fixture every trip up the ladder.

The Benefits of Selectable Color Temperature LEDs at Installation

To appreciate the advantages of selectable CCT, it’s important to keep in mind how CCT differs from the Color Rendering Index, or CRI.

• CCT tells you the color of the light emitted by the fixture, from warm to cool. You can tell the CCT just by by looking at the light source. Is it more yellow or blue?
• CRI value, on the other hand, tells you about how the color of objects appear under the light source. CRI is rated 1-100 with sunlight being classified as having a CRI of 100, the most “natural” looking light source, and 1 being the furthest from natural coloring.

Not every activity in a space will require a CRI close to 100, but visibility in general, and the feel of the space, will be dictated by the color temperature. That’s why the type of facility, and the activities done within in it, help determine the most appropriate CCT.

For example, a 5000K CCT setting is well suited for high mounting heights and some commercial spaces where clear visibility is needed, like schools or hospitals. Even warehouses and industrial facilities will request 5000K fixtures because in a dirtier or smokier shop: That degree of light provides better illuminations in a space with dark walls or dark floors.

But not every space is what you expect, which is why flexibility in color temperature selection is so important.

As helpful as guidelines are, the reality is that until the fixtures are installed in the space, it can be difficult to know if a CCT specified up front will actually deliver the quality of light needed for the customer’s use.

For example, when specing the job, you might have determined that 4000K was the right setting for how the space would be used.

But between your first visit and the installation date, the walls were painted a different color. Now the engineer, architect or owner has a problem with the quality of light from the SKUs you installed – and you need to start all over again with new fixtures.

With selectable color temperature LEDs, you already have the flexibility you need for that scenario built into the fixture. Selectable CCT LED fixtures like Litetronics’ LED Volumetric Troffers, LED Linear High Bay, and LED Light Panel all come with three options for CCT degree, 3500K, 4000K, 5000K and selectable wattage to boot!

Versatility That Delivers Visibility

The ability to select the CCT degree as needed during installation gives you the elbow room you need to accommodate a wide range of use case scenarios and keep your project on track.

When speaking to the customer about the choice of fixture, be sure to point out the benefits of having the flexibility of selectable color temperature LED lights. It will give them options to fine-tune the lighting in the facility at the time of installation without delays from needed all new fixtures.

Versatility and ease of installation are just a few of the many features of LED lights that contribute to ROI. Be sure to check out our e-book, How to Sell a Skeptical Customer on LED by Proving ROI for more! You can download it instantly, here.