2018 Lighting, Lighting Controls Study

2018 Lighting and Lighting Controls Study: Five lighting industry findings

Respondents to the Consulting-Specifying Engineer 2018 Lighting & Lighting Controls Study identified five high-level findings:

  1. Total annual revenue: During the most recently completed fiscal year, the average engineering firm earned $7 million in mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection revenue, 8.1% of which was generated through lighting and lighting control products specified for new and existing buildings.

  2. Involvement: Eight in 10 engineers are responsible for determining the requirements/writing the specifications for projects involving lights, lighting equipment, and/or lighting controls; two-thirds research and evaluate the lighting options and/or recommend the brand to be used. The average engineer spends 24% of their time researching or specifying lighting and lighting controls.

  3. Lighting technologies: Engineers most commonly specify LEDs, lighting controls, and addressable systems for new and existing nonresidential buildings. While still among the top lighting products in use, the popularity of any sized T5, T8, or T12 fixture has declined from 56% to 48% over the past 12 months.

  4. Current challenges: Having an inadequate budget for high quality design remains the top challenge for engineers. Other difficult tasks include adhering to the expected project delivery date and keeping up with frequent changes to codes, regulations, and standards.

  5. Design factors: When comparing lighting products, engineers are heavily weighing the technical advantages to each option, as well as the manufacturers’ reputations, initial costs, energy efficiencies, and overall quality.

Access the full 2018 Lighting & Lighting Controls Report to view additional findings.


The Consulting-Specifying Engineer 2018 Lighting & Lighting Controls Study is sponsored by



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