Overview
ISO/CIE 20086:2019 - Light and lighting - Energy performance of lighting in buildings - specifies standardized methods to evaluate the energy performance of lighting for general illumination in non‑residential buildings. The standard defines how to calculate or measure the energy required or used for lighting, producing outputs such as annual energy use and inputs for the Lighting Energy Numeric Indicator (LENI) and for building heating/cooling load assessments.
The scope is limited to general indoor lighting in non‑residential buildings; it does not cover lighting requirements or detailed lighting design, the technical characteristics of lamps/control gear/luminaires, display or desk lighting, luminaires built into furniture, or dynamic scene simulation.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Three alternative methods for assessing lighting energy:
- Method 1 - Comprehensive calculation: full, time‑step based modelling using detailed input data.
- Method 2 - Quick calculation: simplified, faster estimation for early design or budgeting.
- Method 3 - Direct metering: measured energy used for lighting (preferred for existing systems).
- Input data categories: lighting system characteristics, product data, system design parameters, operating conditions, and physical constants.
- Calculation elements: applicable time steps, operating‑condition modelling, energy calculation and expenditure factors (losses, controls, standby).
- Output/Deliverables: annual energy requirement/consumption for lighting, LENI values (preliminary and comprehensive), and inputs for combined building energy performance.
- Quality control and compliance: procedures for verifying calculation inputs and outputs, methods for compliance checks across all three methods.
- Supporting annexes: installed power estimation (simplified and for existing buildings), occupancy estimation, expenditure factors, and constant illuminance methods.
Practical applications - who uses this standard
ISO/CIE 20086:2019 is directly applicable to:
- Lighting designers and consultants estimating energy impacts of lighting schemes.
- Energy auditors and sustainability consultants preparing building energy assessments and LENI benchmarking.
- Facility managers and building operators who meter lighting energy and want standardized reporting and verification.
- Building services engineers and architects using lighting energy inputs for HVAC load calculations.
- Policymakers and code authorities defining compliance checks and performance targets for non‑residential buildings.
Practical benefits include consistent energy accounting for lighting, informed design decisions during budgeting and detailed design stages, and objective evaluation of lighting control effectiveness via metering.
Related standards (normative/informative)
- ISO 8995‑1/CIE S 008 - Lighting of workplaces (indoor)
- ISO 30061/CIE S 020 - Emergency lighting
- ISO 10916 - Daylight utilization impact on lighting energy
- IEC 60598 series - Luminaires
Use ISO/CIE 20086:2019 when you need a standardized, repeatable method to quantify lighting energy for non‑residential building performance, LENI reporting, or energy policy compliance.