Practical advice on commercial lighting from LED retrofits to lighting design.

Reopening has started around the country. People are starting to fill restaurants, retails stores, grocery stores, and other buildings again.

At the same time, cases of COVID-19 are still rising in many states.
As we look at ways to reduce the spread of the virus, one of the main challenges is reducing transmission and keeping occupied spaces clean.

Here’s a common dilemma: a company hires a general contractor to oversee a large-scale renovation or new construction buildout, or a series of projects. But when it comes to lighting, the company isn’t sure who should purchase the products.

Dimming LEDs can be tricky for a variety of reasons. It can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint the source of the particular issue you're facing, like flickering.

When LED lamps first started to make their way to the market, early adopters were frustrated when they tried to dim them. In most cases, the technology wasn’t far enough along. So in a setting like a restaurant, where ambiance is often king, many were understandably reluctant to switch to LED.

It wasn't that long ago we were answering the question: can LED lights be dimmed? The answer is yes, but years later problems can still surface when you try to run LED lamps or fixtures on dimmer controls.

Why are there still issues, even when lamps and fixtures are more reliable and dimmers more tolerant?

As a lighting specialist that deals with mostly restaurant clients, Brandon Melton faces the topic of LED dimming almost daily. Brandon has many years in the lighting world and works with some of Regency's largest restaurant chain customers to eliminate common LED dimming issues and properly light their spaces. Here's Brandon with more: 

More is not always better in restaurant lighting. We've touched on that before when discussing pitfalls to avoid in restaurant lighting. Regardless of whether you manage a fast casual or fine dining restaurant, your lighting needs to be inviting, warm, friendly, and consistent with your brand to bring your customers in and keep them comfortable so they're likely to return.

Whether you manage a fast food restaurant or a high-end steakhouse, it’s imperative to have the right lighting. You want your customers to feel comfortable in your space and you want the food they order to look attractive when it makes it to the table.