Energy-efficient lighting industry professionals are anticipating strong business in 2011 as a result of continued investment in energy-efficiency projects, according to a survey by Yorba Linda, Calif.-based Precision-Paragon [P2], a division of Hubbell Lighting, Inc.
A majority (73%) of the energy-efficient lighting professionals who responded to the survey said they expect to see an increase in revenue from energy-efficiency retrofit projects in 2011. They were similarly positive about the industry as a whole, with nearly 75% of the respondents saying they expect the overall market for energy-efficient relighting projects to experience growth in 2011.
The survey was distributed to more than 1,900 energy-efficient lighting professionals, including energy service contractors, energy-focused electrical distributors, and lighting retrofit contractors.
Most of the respondents said they expect the first quarter of 2011 to be their slowest period, with their busiest time occurring in the second or third quarter. As a sign of optimism, many claimed they are planning for increased business as part of their infrastructure strategy. Despite the uncertain economic times, 46% of respondents said they are “building for growth” in 2011. Only 2% said they planned to cut back.
In addition, survey takers indicated they believe that linear fluorescent lighting remains the right technology for the vast majority of energy-efficient lighting projects, with 80% reporting that it is the predominant technology they expected to install in the coming year. LED technology was the second-place choice by a wide margin.
Along with cost savings from energy-efficient lighting upgrades, federal support for energy-efficiency projects could help to explain the positive outlook among lighting industry professionals. Economic stimulus money has been targeted toward green job creation, and the administration’s budget proposal for 2011 would increase support for energy-efficient commercial buildings.
More detailed survey results are available at the [P2] blog.
Source: Precision-Paragon [P2]