|

Light and Lighting — Explanation and Justification of ISO/CIE 20086 — Energy Performance of Lighting in Buildings

February 14, 2024

DOI: 

10.25039/ISO/CIE TR 3092:2023

This Technical Report on ISO/CIE 20086 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 274, Light and lighting, in cooperation with CIE Joint Technical Committee 6.

It is important that lighting schemes are designed appropriately to provide the right light in the right place at the right time, while being energy efficient and conforming to local, regional, and/or national regulations. It is also important that the lighting systems are operated energy efficiently and managed by suitable lighting control systems.

Carrying out a comprehensive lighting design (daylight and electric lighting) for new or refurbished buildings will yield both effective and energy efficient lighting solutions that fulfil the lighting criteria specified in the lighting application standards. The lighting design process will show how much daylight will be available and how much electric lighting is needed and what scheme solutions will satisfy the required lighting conditions during the occupied and unoccupied periods.

ISO/CIE 20086 gives a procedure to estimate the required energy and the energy efficiency of the electric lighting scheme.

There is a risk that the purpose and limitations of ISO/CIE 20086 will be misunderstood, unless the background and context to its content is explained in some detail to users. If this information would have been placed in ISO/CIE 20086, the standard would be overloaded with informative content; and the result is likely to be confusing and cumbersome, especially if ISO/CIE 20086 is referenced in local, regional, or national building codes.

Therefore, this document accompanies ISO/CIE 20086 and provides informative content to support the correct understanding, use and national implementation of the lighting standard. It also provides explanation of the lighting energy calculation methodology and working calculation example of integrated lighting control options. ISO/CIE 20086 defines the methods for estimating or measuring the amount of energy required or used for lighting in buildings.

The method of separate metering of the energy used for lighting will also give regular feedback on the effectiveness of the lighting control. The methodology of energy estimation not only provides values for the Lighting Energy Numeric Indicator (LENI) but it will also provide input for the heating and cooling load estimations for the combined total energy performance of building indicator.

LENI represents the absolute amount of energy required for a lighting scheme and does not directly provide indications on the efficiency of the lighting technology employed. Therefore, a concept of expenditure factors intending to render energy flows in lighting systems more transparent is introduced in ISO/CIE 20086:2019, 6.5 and Annex E to complement LENI.

The publication is written in English. It consists of 82 pages and is available on the CIE Webshop or from the National Committees of the CIE.

More information available here

Related Articles


Changing Scene


Design

  • CDm2 LIGHTWORKS: The Real Work of Value Engineering – A Collaborative Approach

    CDm2 LIGHTWORKS: The Real Work of Value Engineering – A Collaborative Approach

    It’s a situation most lighting designers have experienced: a project you spent months designing comes back with a request to review and accept a value engineering package. You’ve seen it time and time again, a package of substitutions with a carrot of cost savings and a deadline. There’s no true value engineering offered, only substitution… Read More…

  • CSC LED: Spotted On Site – VARO Powers Refine Fitness Studio, Vancouver, BC

    CSC LED: Spotted On Site – VARO Powers Refine Fitness Studio, Vancouver, BC

    Lighting plays a critical role in shaping how a space feels and functions—especially in a fitness environment where visibility, comfort, and consistency are key. Throughout the studio, VARO Architectural Linear fixtures serve as the primary lighting solution, bringing both visual structure and performance to the space. The project features white 4′ 50W VARO fixtures, with… Read More…


New Products

  • Emerson: Appleton Explosionproof Rigmaster LED Series Luminaires

    Emerson: Appleton Explosionproof Rigmaster LED Series Luminaires

    Appleton Explosionproof Rigmaster LED Series Luminaires are a high-performance linear lighting solution in a rugged, corrosion-resistant housing, that can be ordered as a standard model or with emergency battery backup to fit all your hazardous location requirements. Providing comfortable, uniform illumination in a lightweight, low-profile design, the diverse mounting bracket options ensure this luminaire is… Read More…

  • Leviton | Viscor: Certolux – MBHSL LED Wall Mounted Behavioural Health Step Light

    Leviton | Viscor: Certolux – MBHSL LED Wall Mounted Behavioural Health Step Light

    The MBHSL Step Light is a durable, low-profile step light engineered to deliver safe, controlled illumination in demanding healthcare environments. Designed specifically for behavioral health and medical applications, it provides subtle wayfinding light that supports patient and staff movement without disrupting rest or comfort. Installed easily into a standard single-gang outlet box, the MBHSL Step Light integrates… Read More…