The Stages of a Lighting Energy Survey — How Warehouses, Factories & Offices Cut Costs with LED Upgrades
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The Stages of a Lighting Energy Survey — How Warehouses, Factories & Offices Cut Costs with LED Upgrades
A professional lighting energy survey (also called a lighting audit) tells you exactly how much your lighting costs, identifies safety or compliance gaps, and models the real savings from energy-efficient LED upgrades and smart controls. This guide explains the full process, special considerations for warehouses, factories, and offices, data-driven case studies, and a large FAQ to answer common questions.
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What is a Lighting & Energy Survey?
A lighting energy survey is a site assessment performed by a lighting engineer to measure existing fittings, light levels, operating hours, and energy use. It identifies under- or over-lit areas, evaluates controls and daylighting opportunities, and produces a detailed energy report that includes:
- Current energy & maintenance costs (kWh, £)
- Lux measurements and compliance checks against workplace standards
- Recommended products and control strategies (LED, sensors)
- Estimated energy, carbon, and maintenance savings
- Payback, ROI, and financing options
Authoritative references:
The Stages of a Lighting Energy Survey
Surveys typically follow two broad stages: the on-site walk-through and the post-survey energy report.
Stage 1 — On-site Walk-Through Assessment
During the walk-through an engineer will:
- Record every fitting: type, wattage, condition, and mounting height
- Measure illuminance (lux) at key task areas using a lux meter
- Confirm operating hours and review electricity tariff(s)
- Check for glare, uniformity issues, and high-risk low-light zones
- Note access issues and any specialist installation requirements
- Identify control opportunities — daylight harvesting, zonal sensors, or integration with BMS
Equipment used: lux meter, clipboard/tablet, digital camera, handheld counter, PPE, and access equipment.
Stage 2 — The Energy Report
The engineer converts collected data into a written energy report containing:
- Measured baseline energy use (kWh) and cost (£) for lighting by zone
- Proposed LED or control solutions and product specifications
- Projected energy & maintenance savings (kWh, £) and CO₂ reduction (tCO₂e)
- Payback period, net present value (NPV), and ROI estimates
- Installation considerations, warranties, and proposed timelines
Tip: include recent electricity bills for the most accurate financial model — the report will use your tariff and UK emissions factors to estimate carbon savings (BEIS conversion factors).
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Lighting Surveys for Energy-Efficient LED Lighting
LED retrofits deliver the biggest savings. When designing LED systems, surveys pay particular attention to:
- Beam angle & glare control — important for vehicle operators or precision tasks
- IP rating — for wash-down, dusty, or cold environments (IP65, IP66)
- Colour temperature & CRI — e.g., ~4000K with high CRI for offices or inspection zones
- Lux levels & uniformity — compliance with BS EN 12464-1 and CIBSE LG7
- Warranty & lifespan — 5–10 year warranties and >50,000 hours life
- Control compatibility — DALI, 1–10V, or wireless control for daylight/presence sensing
Reference: Energy Saving Trust — Lighting
Factory Lighting Surveys — Special Considerations
Factories commonly have harsh conditions and long operating hours. A factory lighting survey typically focuses on:
- Robust, low-maintenance fittings
- Quick re-start capability — replacing metal halide/sodium fixtures with slow restrike times
- Task-specific lux requirements
- Ensure IP and IK ratings for rugged environments
- Mitigating glare in precision work areas
Learn more in our factory lighting page
Warehouse Lighting Surveys — Special Considerations
Lighting is often a large proportion of a warehouse’s energy spend. Surveys emphasize:
- High-bay LED replacements for HID or fluorescent fittings
- Zonal control (aisle occupancy sensors, PIR, or microwave)
- Cold store performance — LED behaviour in low temperatures
- Glare management for forklift drivers
- Vertical illuminance on shelving for picking efficiency
See detailed warehouse lighting options here
Office & Commercial Lighting Surveys
In offices and commercial spaces, the focus is comfort, wellbeing, and productivity. Surveys check:
- Appropriate lux levels for screen work and meeting rooms
- Low flicker, glare-free panels
- Daylight integration to reduce energy use
- Controls for booking/occupancy sensors
- Alignment with WELL/BREEAM/ESG targets
Example Lighting Survey Case Studies
The examples below demonstrate potential savings and ROI. Replace tariff or hours with your site’s values.
Assumptions:
- Electricity price: £0.18 / kWh
- CO₂ factor: 0.18 kgCO₂e/kWh
- Hours per year: specified per case
| Case | Baseline kWh | Baseline £ | After kWh | After £ | Annual Saving £ | Payback (yrs) | CO₂ Saved (t/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large warehouse — 500 high-bays | 1,200,000 | £216,000 | 450,000 | £81,000 | £135,000 | 1.8 | 220 |
| Engineering factory — 300 fixtures | 495,000 | £89,100 | 198,000 | £35,640 | £53,460 | 2.1 | 98 |
| Office building — 600 panels | 216,000 | £38,880 | 120,000 | £21,600 | £17,280 | 2.5 | 34 |
CO₂ calculation: annual kWh saved × 0.18 kg/kWh → tCO₂e.
Book a free audit for your site-specific calculation
Lead Magnet: Free Lighting Survey Checklist
Convert visitors into leads with a one-page PDF outlining what the engineer will check:
- Number & type of fittings
- Lux measurements at task level
- Operating hours & tariff
- Controls & daylight availability
- Installation access & specialist equipment
FAQs — Lighting Energy Surveys
How long does a lighting survey take?
3–5 hours for a single building; multi-building sites take longer.
Is the survey really free?
Yes — a no-obligation site assessment and report is provided free.
Will a survey disrupt operations?
No — surveys are designed to minimize disruption.
What savings can I expect from LED upgrades?
40–70% energy savings, plus reduced maintenance.
How is payback calculated?
Payback = Capital cost ÷ annual energy & maintenance savings. Reports show simple payback and sometimes NPV/IRR.
Do surveys include CO₂ calculations?
Yes — typically using BEIS conversion factors. See BEIS 2023.
Which standards are referenced?
- BS EN 12464-1
- CIBSE LG7 (offices)
- HSE guidance HSG38
Book your free lighting survey | Contact us
References & Further Reading
- CIBSE — LG7 Lighting for Offices (2023)
- HSE — Lighting at Work (HSG38)
- BEIS — Greenhouse Gas Conversion Factors (2023)
- Energy Saving Trust — Lighting
- BS EN 12464-1 summary
Meta Title: Lighting Energy Survey Stages | Free Lighting Audit for Warehouses, Factories & Offices
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