LED Lighting – Advancements in Technologies

Did You Know? Mills Offers LED Lighting and Fixtures!

A recent addition to our product lineup, Mills offers an assortment of high-performance LED lighting fixtures. This includes recessed (in-ceiling), linear, and outdoor.

Why did we add fixtures to our solutions? We are following the technology. Years ago, we started by providing lighting dimmers. Then, as technology advanced, we offered lighting control. Now as technology is moving into the fixture itself, it makes sense for us to provide the fixtures as well.

Since we often provide the controls, providing the lighting fixtures allows us to take ownership of the total system which gives us greater control over the outcome. The key to controlling and dimming lights – especially LED lights – is to make sure the driver of the lights is compatible with the dimmer. There are a number of protocols involved with dimming lights (forward phase, reverse phase, 0-10V, etc.). The driver inside the fixture is what dims the LED – if that is incompatible with the dimmer controls, the lights won’t dim low enough or will flicker.  With Mills providing the fixture, we can make sure the driver is compatible with dimmer controls.

Bulb Quality is Important

When selecting an LED bulb, it’s important to always go with a high-quality bulb.  This is important for a couple of reasons: Color accuracy. The higher the CRI, the better the bulb is at rendering colors accurately. At lower CRI values, colors appear unnatural. That affects how everything looks in the space – from finishes to people.

Comparison of low color accuracy versus high color accuracy

Color consistency. When color consistency is poor, many shades of the same color can be seen fixture to fixture.  In the image below, the “warm white” bulbs from the same production line have a varying color temperature (between 2580K and 4260K) – the difference in temperature is quite noticeable and something you want to avoid.

Example of poor color consistency

Bulb quality is important. A lot of LED bulbs, (such as the ones you might find at the big box stores), don’t have great color accuracy and consistency, and they don’t dim particularly well in a fixture designed for an incandescent light.  Mills offers LED bulbs that that are  designed to work with many existing (S38, S30 and A20 lamps) fixtures. When paired with a lighting system processor, these bulbs can be added to existing fixtures for an easy retrofit solution.

LED Technologies

Whether you are renovating, building new, or retrofitting lighting in your existing space, the latest in LED technologies impact more than energy efficiency:

Digitally addressable technology makes it easy to assign controls (such as daylight, time clocks and occupancy sensors) to a fixture, (or groups of fixtures), via software. So, the control design is simple. And, because this is accomplished without complicated wiring, the electrical design is also simplified.

Warm Dim and Circadian lighting technologies transition from bright, bluish lighting in the morning and transitioning to warmer, yellower light temperatures that mimic the transition of color temperatures of daylight throughout the day.

Warm Dim/Circadian lighting technologies transition from bright bluish lighting in the morning to warmer yellow light temperatures that mimic daylight

Measured benefits of this type of lighting include increased motivation and productivity, improved concentration and energy and lower stress and anxiety.

Outdoor Fixtures

For years we have helped transform outdoor spaces into audio oases. We now provide outdoor lighting to create a visual oasis for you home. Proper lighting will change the look of your home and your yard.

Mills can transform your outdoor space utilizing path, area, in-ground, bollard, color-changing, and hardscape light fixtures. All these fixture types are low voltage LED. As such, the wiring requirements are similar to wiring for outdoor speakers. This eliminates the need for costly 120V electric to be installed.

Landscape lighting provides these important benefits:

Aesthetics. Focal points stand out and become more beautiful. Textures not seen in daylight become eye-catching detail. Architectural features can be accented, which brings the home and the landscape together for a resort-like feel.

Usability. Landscape lighting extends the time spent outdoors. Patios, pools, and children’s play areas become entertainment venues or just relaxing places to unwind.

Safety. Hazards such as steps, low-hanging plants, abrupt changes in elevation, or debris in a walkway can all be avoided with properly placed landscape lighting.

would conceal movement around the property.

Value. Landscape lighting not only brings a property to life, it also provides excellent return on investment by creating a stunning first impression when viewed by visitors.

If you’re thinking about adding some speakers to your outdoor space, why not consider some lights too?

If you’d like to learn more about our new lighting solutions – whether an architect or builder who is looking to streamline the lighting process, or a homeowner who wants better lighting, please contact us!