Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Loss per share

Basic loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted loss per share is computed giving effect to all dilutive potential common shares that were outstanding during the period. Dilutive potential common shares consist of incremental shares upon exercise of stock options and warrants, unless the effect would be anti-dilutive.

A reconciliation of basic and diluted loss per share is provided as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three months ended						Nine months ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Basic and diluted loss per share:
Net loss	$	(403	)	$	(1,651	)	$	(5,095	)	$	(3,758	)
Basic and diluted loss per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding		8,781			4,916			7,276			4,671
Basic and diluted net loss per share	$	(0.05	)	$	(0.34	)	$	(0.70	)	$	(0.80	)

Options, warrants and convertible securities representing approximately 174,853 and 2,407,422 shares of common stock were excluded from the loss per share calculation for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and 990,449 and 1,464,113 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Basis of presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements (“financial statements”) include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, Energy Focus LED Solutions, LLC (“EFLS”) in Nashville, Tennessee, and Crescent Lighting Limited (“CLL”) located in the United Kingdom. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated.

We have prepared the accompanying financial data for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The accompanying financial data and information should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 (“2013 Annual Report”).

In the opinion of management, the accompanying financial statements contain all normal and recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our financial statements and accompanying notes. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions that may impact us in the future, actual results may be different from the estimates. Estimates include, but are not limited to, the establishment of reserves for accounts receivable, sales returns, inventory obsolescence and warranty claims; the useful lives of property, equipment, and intangible assets; revenues recognized on a percentage-of-completion basis; and stock-based compensation. In addition, estimates and assumptions associated with the determination of the fair value of financial instruments and evaluation of long-lived assets for impairment requires considerable judgment. Actual results could differ from those estimates and such differences could be material.

Our independent public accounting firm has issued an opinion in connection with our 2013 Annual Report raising substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern. The interim financial statements have been prepared assuming we will continue to operate as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the settlement of liabilities in the normal course of business. The interim financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result from uncertainty related to our ability to continue as a going concern.

Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified within the financial statements, and related notes thereto, to be consistent with current year presentation. See our discussion of the reclassification of discontinued operations in Note 3, Discontinued Operations.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Recent accounting pronouncements

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists, which amends ASC 740, Income Taxes. The amendments provide guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit, as either a reduction of a deferred tax asset or as a liability, when a net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013 and may be applied on either a prospective or retrospective basis. The adoption of this ASU did not materially impact our disclosures.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue Recognition - Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which is a comprehensive revenue recognition standard that will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and either full retrospective adoption or modified retrospective adoption is permitted. We are in the process of evaluating the impact of the standard.

Update to significant accounting policies

There have been no material changes to our significant accounting policies, as compared to the significant accounting policies described in our 2013 Annual Report.

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

Stock-based compensation

On May 6, 2014, our Board of Directors approved the Energy Focus, Inc. 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”). The 2014 Plan was approved by the stockholders at our annual meeting on July 15, 2014, after which no further awards could be issued under the Energy Focus, Inc. 2008 Incentive Stock Plan (the “2008 Plan”). The 2014 Plan allows for awards up to 600,000 shares of common stock and expires on July 15, 2024. The 2008 Plan is described in detail in our 2013 Annual Report. The following table summarizes our stock-based compensation (in thousands):

	Three months ended				Nine months ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Cost of sales	$	4	$	1	$	10	$	2
Research and development		3		11		5		26
Selling, general, and administrative		145		41		395		121
Total stock-based compensation	$	152	$	53	$	410	$	149

Total unearned compensation was $485 thousand related to stock-based compensation at September 30, 2014, compared to $236 thousand at September 30, 2013. These costs will be charged to expense and amortized on a straight-line basis in subsequent periods through the third quarter of 2016. The weighted average period over which the unearned compensation is expected to be recognized is approximately 2.1 years.

The fair value of each stock option is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Estimates utilized in the calculation include the expected life of the option, risk-free interest rate, and expected volatility, and are further comparatively detailed as follows:

	Nine months ended
	September 30,
	2014			2013
Fair value of options issued	$	3.44		$	1.72
Exercise price	$	4.48		$	2.47
Expected life of option (in years)		5.6			7.2
Risk-free interest rate		1.79	%		1.32	%
Expected volatility		97.93	%		90.24	%
Dividend yield		0	%		0	%

Option activity under our stock plans during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was as follows:

	Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)
Outstanding as of December 31, 2013		286,188		$	15.30
Granted		278,000			4.58
Exercised		(3,000	)		2.30
Cancelled/forfeited		(94,632	)		14.32
Outstanding as of September 30, 2014		466,556		$	9.19		8.2
Vested and expected to vest as of September 30, 2014		429,781		$	8.18		8.2
Exercisable as of September 30, 2014		244,648		$	13.32		7.3

Standard Product Warranty, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Product warranties

We warrant finished goods against defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service for periods generally between one and five years for products and labor. Settlement costs consist of actual amounts expensed for warranty services which are largely a result of third-party service calls and the costs of replacement products. A liability for the estimated future costs under product warranties is maintained for products outstanding under warranty and is included in “Accrued liabilities” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The warranty activity for the respective periods is as follows (in thousands):

	Three months ended						Nine months ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Balance at the beginning of the period	$	68		$	150		$	75		$	159
Accruals for warranties issued		32			7			48			46
Settlements made during the period (in cash or in kind)		(24	)		(17	)		(47	)		(65	)
Balance at the end of the period	$	76		$	140		$	76		$	140