2012 Lighting Study

Background and Methodology

In October 2012, Consulting-Specifying Engineer conducted an online survey of its readers regarding lights, lighting equipment and lighting controls. Survey topics included types of products specified, challenges associated with lighting design, factors affecting product selection, familiarity with selected lighting manufacturers and information sources used when making decisions about lighting products. The survey sample was selected from readers who had provided email addresses and who had indicated relevant purchasing influence or authority. Survey questions further qualified respondents to ensure they had appropriate involvement in the specification, design and selection of lights, lighting equipment and/or lighting controls. Survey invitations were emailed to the sample on October 22, 2012. By the closing date of November 5th a total of 294 responses was received of which 238 met the purchasing involvement criteria.

Involvement in design and product selections

Office buildings and industrial/manufacturing facilities/warehouses are the types of building structures for which respondents are most likely to specify, design or select products. The majority (81%) are involved in the selection of lights, lighting equipment and/or lighting controls.

Office Buildings Industrial/Manufacturing Facilities/Warehouses Educational Facilities Hospitals/Healthcare Facilities Government Buildings/Military Facilities Research Facilities/Laboratories Parking Garages/Service Stations Engineered Multi-Dwelling/Retail Complexes/Restaurants Utilities/Public Works/Transportation Hotel/Motel/Resorts Churches/Religious Buildings Sports/Entertainment/Convention Center Facilities Correctional Facilities Other 0% 6% 20% 40% 60% 32% 40% 49% 48% 47% 55%

66%

Determine requirements/write specs Research and evaluate options Supervise or consult on projects Recommend brand

54%

52%

51%

50%

Select brand 28% 27% 27% 26% 25% 22% Not involved 80% 0% 19% Place order 16% Approve purchase 27%

38%

Retrofit systems only

5%

20%

40%

60%

80%

For which of the following types of building structures do you specify, design or make product selections? (n=294) In what ways, if any, are you involved in the selection of lights, lighting equipment and/or lighting controls? (n=294) Note: those not involved were disqualified from answering the remaining questions.

Job title and type of company

Nearly half (46%) of all respondents reported they are professional engineers and most are employed at consulting engineering firms or in-house engineering departments.

Job title/function
5% 6%
14%

Best Describes Company

6%

34%
38%

16%

46% 9%
26%

Owner, CEO, or President Pro. Engineer Other

Other Mgmt. and Sr. Eng. Mgmt. Other Eng. Title

Consulting Engineering Firm In-House Engineering Engineering/Architectural Firm Design/Build, Construction/ Contracting Firm Other

Please indicate your primary job title/function. (n=238) Which of the following best describes your company? (n=238)

Number of employees and annual revenue

Respondents represent a mix of firms in terms of employee size and total revenue.
# of People Employed by Firm
21%
28%

Annual MEP volume

32%
37%

10%

16%

13%
19% 1 to 19 employees 100 to 499 employees 20 to 99 employees 500 or more employees

24% Less than $1M $10M to $20M $1M to $5M Over $20M $5M to $10M

Approximately how many people are employed by your firm? (n=236) Which of the following ranges best describes your firms annual mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection design revenue? (n=231)

Years in design and respondent age

Two-thirds of all respondents have ten or more years experience in lighting design. A mix of ages are represented.

Years involved in lighting design

19% 19%

Age
3% 18% 19%

15%

25%
25%

35%
22%

40 and under
Less than 5 5 to 9 10 to 19 20 to 29 30 or more

41 to 50 Prefer not to say

51 to 60

61 and older

For how many years have you been involved in lighting design? (n=238) Which of the following ranges includes your current age? (n=238)

Office location
The vast majority of respondents were based in the U.S. with the largest proportions located in the South and Midwest regions of the country.
7% 22% 15%

26% 30%

Northeast South Based outside the U.S.

Midwest West

In what region of the country is your office located? (n=238)

Annual volume of lighting products specified

Almost one-fourth (23%) of all respondents work at firms that specify over one million dollars of lighting and lighting control products each year.
21%

23%

14%

29%

13% Less than $100,000 $500,001 to $750,000 Over $1,000,000 $100,000 to $500,000 $750,001 to $1,000,000

What is the total annual dollar amount of lighting and lighting control products specified by your engineering firm for new and existing buildings? (n=228)

Critical challenges affecting lighting design and retrofits

When asked to name, on an unaided basis, the most critical challenge or issue affecting the future of lighting design and retrofits, the most common responses pertained to three topics:
Energy efficiency (36 mentions) Standards and regulations/code compliance (30 mentions) LED lighting (20 mentions)

What is the most critical challenge or issue affecting the future of lighting design and retrofits? (n=178)

Information needs
When asked what lighting information would help them do their jobs more easily and effectively, respondents were most likely to mention technical information, cost information and information about LED products.
Technical/application information, guides and data sheets (16 mentions) Costs (13 mentions) LED-related topics (13 mentions) Product comparisons (8 mentions) Design assistance (6 mentions)

What information about lighting design, products and controls would help you do your job more easily and effectively? (n=156)

Lights or lighting products specified

Currently T5, T8 or T12 (any size) and lighting controls are the most frequently specified lights or lighting products. Those same products plus LED are most likely to be specified in the next 12 to 24 months.

0% T5, T8 or T12 (any size) Lighting controls LED CFL HID (high-intensity discharge) Halogen Ceramic metal halide Incandescent Sodium (high- or low-pressure) Other 7%
14%

20%

40%

60%

80% 89% 68% 86% 74% 79% 75% 76%

100%

57% 74% 50% 48% 35% 43% 41% 37% 20% 32% 25%

Currently specify Expect to specify

What types of lights or lighting products do you currently specify? (n=145) What types of lights or lighting products do you expect to specify in the next 12 to 24 months? (n=145) Base: Respondents who determine requirements/write specs

Biggest changes in lighting design or lighting products

Without a doubt, LED has driven the biggest changes in lighting observed by respondents during the past 12 to 18 months.
LED improvements, availability, implementation, cost reduction (68 mentions) Energy efficiency (6 mentions) Costs (4 mentions) Code requirements (4 mentions)

What is the biggest change in lighting design or lighting products that youve observed during the past 12 to 18 months? (n=116)

Types of lighting specifications

The most common way of specifying lighting is with a performance spec, totally open.

Performance spec totally open Open spec, engineering approval or brand required Performance spec, written around one manufacturer

10%

47%

30%

13%

10%

40%

34%

13%

9%

37%

40%

14%

Closed spec, multiple sources 4% Open spec, engineering approval 4% or brand not required Closed spec, single source and 2% alternate Closed spec, single source

51%

31%

14%

24%

31%

41%

27%

53%

18%

10%

65% Always Frequently Rarely Never

25%

Of the total lighting specifications issued by your firm, how often are you using each of the following? (n=135) Base: Respondents who determine requirements/write specs

Difficulty of lighting engineering and design challenges

Of the six challenges studied, inadequate budget for good design was rated the most difficult.

Inadequate budget for good design Interoperability and complementing systems

31%

48%

19%

2%

11%

39%

43%

7%

Speed of project delivery

9%

30%

46%

15%

LEED, Standard 90.1, sustainable design

8%

41%

42%

9%

Energy efficiency

6%

35%

36%

23%

Codes and standards changing frequently

6%

38%

45%

11%

Extremely difficult=4

Not difficult=1

Using a 4-point scale where 1 is "not difficult" and 4 is "extremely difficult", please rate the difficulty posed by each of the following lighting engineering and design challenges. (n=132) Base: Respondents who determine requirements/write specs

Payback period requested

For many of the products studied, the majority of respondents dont know or are not sure what payback period clients request.
Less than 6 mos. Ceramic metal halide CFL LED Halogen HID (high- intensity discharge) Incandescent Lighting controls Sodium (high- or low-pressure) T5, T8 or T12 (any size) 3% 3% 4% 3% 3% 6% 3% 2% 2% 6 to 12 mos. 10% 14% 14% 8% 10% 6% 10% 6% 16% 13 to 18 mos. 5% 12% 9% 10% 8% 4% 10% 6% 14% 19 to 24 mos. 14% 14% 18% 11% 13% 6% 21% 10% 16% 25 to 30 mos. 2% 5% 5% 2% 5% 5% 6% 5% 6% 31 to 36 mos. 4% 4% 10% 6% 5% 4% 8% 5% 8% More than 36 mos. 3% 5% 11% 5% 4% 2% 4% 3% 2% Not sure/ dont know 60% 43% 29% 56% 52% 67% 38% 63% 36%

What payback period is typically requested by your clients for each of the items listed below? (n=125) Base: Respondents who determine requirements/write specs

Frequency of vendor involvement in completing specifications

Two-thirds of respondents always or frequently involve vendors to help complete specifications.
2%

10%

32%

56%

Always involved Frequently involved Occasionally involved Never involved

How often are equipment vendors involved in helping you complete your specifications? (n=125) Base: Respondents who determine requirements/write specs

Importance of factors in selection of lighting products

Product quality is the most important factor in selecting one lighting product over another.
Product quality Energy efficiency of product Lifecycle cost Service support Initial product cost Manufacturer's reputation Previous experience with manufacturer Warranty Design support Technical advantage of product Lead/delivery time Interoperability Manufacturer's complete product series or system capabilities
40% 36% 34% 33% 32% 30% 28% 23% 23% 22% 15% 57% 45% 54% 48% 48% 51% 57% 26% 21% 23% 41% 51% 60% 18% 19% 18% 16% 68% 62% 43% 31% 28% 1% 3% 6% 1% 15% 19% 13% 2% 4% 2% 6% 2% 2% 3% 3% 4% 6% 3% 5%

Extremely important=4

Not at all important=1

In your design/specification activity, how important is each of the following factors to your selection of one lighting product over another? (n=191)