Can't find exactly what you need, or need to propose a substitute for a specified product? We can help. This article explains how to request an alternate or equivalent fixture and what to expect.

When Would You Need an Alternate?

There are a few common scenarios:

• A specified product is unavailable or has been discontinued
• You need a fixture with the same performance specs but from a different manufacturer
• You want to propose an approved equal or substitution on a project
• The listed product doesn't meet a specific project requirement (voltage, mounting type, CCT, etc.)

How to Submit an Alternate Request

The fastest way is to contact our team directly. Have the following information ready:

• The original product name, part number, or spec sheet (if available)
• What you need to match: wattage, lumens, CCT, beam angle, mounting type, certifications (DLC, UL, etc.)
• Project context if relevant (spec job, open bid, commercial retrofit, etc.)
• Your timeline

Reach us at:

• Email: support@relightdepot.com
• Phone: 888-548-6387, Mon to Fri, 8 AM to 8 PM ET
• Submit a ticket: https://help.relightdepot.com/portal/en/newticket

What We Look For When Matching

When evaluating an alternate, we look at the same criteria your engineer or project owner would use:

• Photometric performance: lumens, efficacy (lm/W), beam angle, distribution
• CCT and CRI: color temperature and color rendering index
• Wattage: input wattage and whether it fits within the circuit load
• Certifications: DLC listing (required for utility rebates), UL or ETL listing, Energy Star if specified
• Physical form factor: dimensions, mounting method, housing type
• Dimming compatibility: 0 to 10V, TRIAC, DALI, or other dimming protocols
• Warranty: check the spec sheet for the specific warranty terms on any product we recommend

We'll work with you to find something that checks the right boxes. If a rebate is in play, DLC listing on the substitute matters, and we'll flag that.

A Note on Spec Jobs

If you're working on a specification project where the engineer of record (EOR) or architect has specified a particular product, any substitution typically needs to go through the formal approval process on that project. We can provide spec sheets, photometric data (IES files), and product documentation to support your submittal. What happens with that submittal is between you and the design team.

We're not in a position to approve substitutions on behalf of a project owner or EOR. We can supply the information you need to make the case.

Value Engineered Quote Requests for Whole Projects

If you have a full project schedule of fixtures and you'd like us to propose value-engineered alternates across the entire package, we have a dedicated service for that. Send us the fixture schedule and any relevant spec sheets, and our team will propose alternates for each line item with comparable photometric performance, DLC listing where needed for rebates, and pricing that reflects the volume of the project.

You can submit a value-engineered quote request directly here: relightdepot.com/value-engineered-quote.

This is a great fit for contractors, ESCOs, and property owners who are working from a designed schedule but have flexibility on manufacturer and want to reduce material cost without compromising performance.

What Happens After You Request an Alternate

1. Our team reviews your requirements.
2. We identify one or more potential matches from our product catalog.
3. We send you product details and pricing.
4. If you want to move forward, we quote it and process the order.

If we don't carry a suitable alternate, we'll tell you. We won't push a product that doesn't fit.

Questions?

Contact us at support@relightdepot.com or 888-548-6387. You can also visit our support portal at https://help.relightdepot.com.