Lighting Value Comparison Tool
Compare luminaires using PMA's Lighting Value Index. It combines important performance specs, warranty and price into a single objective metric that will help to evaluate which product delivers more value over its lifespan per Rand spent.
Lighting Value Score results
Higher score = better value per Rand spent
Detailed comparison
Visual comparison
The gap between the two bars shows how much the warranty term reduces confidence in the lifetime claim.
Lighting Value Score result
—
Print the report or save it as a PDF to share with clients and colleagues.
What is LVI?
The Lighting Value Index (LVI) estimates how much efficient, maintained light a luminaire delivers over its lifetime, per unit of cost.
It combines:
- Luminous efficacy (lm/W)
- Rated lifetime (hours)
- Lumen maintenance (Lx)
- Population reliability (By)
- Purchase price
LVI = (Efficacy × Rated hours × AvgLM × Reliability) ÷ Price ÷ 1000What is LWVI?
The Warranty Adjusted LVI (LWVI) adjusts the LVI score by how well the warranty actually supports the lifetime claim.
Where a product claims a much longer rated life than its warranty covers, the score is reduced through the Warranty Confidence Factor (WCF).
WCF = √( min(1, Warranty years ÷ Life years) )
LWVI = LVI × WCF
Calculation steps
- Efficacy = Lumens ÷ Watts
- Avg lumen maintenance = (1 + L) ÷ 2
- Reliability factor = 1 − B
- LVI = (Efficacy × Hours × AvgLM × Reliability) ÷ Price ÷ 1000
- Life years = Hours ÷ 8760
- WCF = √(min(1, Warranty ÷ Life years))
- LWVI = LVI × WCF
Interpreting the results
Higher scores mean better value per Rand.
Use LVI to compare raw technical performance. Use LWVI for procurement decisions, where warranty backing matters.
| Product | LVI | LWVI |
|---|---|---|
| Product A | 6.8 | 6.4 |
| Product B | 7.5 | 6.3 |
Product B looks stronger technically, but has weaker warranty support.
Disclaimer
The Lighting Value Comparison Tool is a comparative tool based on claimed manufacturer data and simplified assumptions. It does not replace detailed lighting design or technical evaluation, and it does not account for important details such as:
- Photometric performance and light distribution
- Application-specific lighting requirements
- Thermal management and operating environment
- Driver quality and component reliability
- Surge protection and electrical performance
- Ingress protection (IP), impact rating (IK) and build quality
- Installation conditions and maintenance practices
Results should be used as a guide alongside project-specific requirements and professional judgement.
Prime Market Agencies accepts no liability for decisions made solely on the basis of this tool or the results it generates.
For help interpreting these results, or choosing the right solution for your project, get in touch with us.
Intellectual property notice: The Lighting Value Index (LVI), the Warranty Adjusted Lighting Value Index (LWVI) and this comparison tool are the intellectual property of Prime Market Agencies. All rights reserved. This tool and its underlying methodology may not be copied, reproduced, distributed or used to develop derivative works without the prior written consent of Prime Market Agencies © 2025.