2.4.0.84300 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events (Details)truefalseIn Millions, unless otherwise specifiedfalse1false USDfalsefalse$D2013Q1_M0228_SubsequentEventMember_ESCOBusinessMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001065860duration2013-02-27T00:00:002013-02-28T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$1false 0truefalsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse1false USDtruefalse$D2013Q1_M0228_SubsequentEventMember_ESCOBusinessMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001065860duration2013-02-27T00:00:002013-02-28T00:00:00falsefalseSubsequent eventus-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_SubsequentEventMemberus-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseESCO businessus-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldilime_ESCOBusinessMemberus-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$nanafalse0Subsequent event | ESCO business2true 3us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItemsus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Subsequent events3false 4lime_CashPurchasePriceOfAssetsSoldBeforeWorkingCapitalAdjustmentlime_falsedebitdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse40000004.0USD$falsetruefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the purchase price of assets sold, subject to working capital adjustment.No definition available.false2Purchase price of assets sold, subject to working capital adjustment4false 4us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashDivestitureAmountOfConsiderationReceived1us-gaap_truedebitdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse92000009.2USD$falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of noncash consideration received for selling an asset or business through a noncash (or part noncash) transaction.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4313-108586 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4304-108586 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 32 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4332-108586 false2Liabilities assumed5false 4lime_CashPurchasePriceOfAssetsSoldAfterWorkingCapitalAdjustmentlime_falsedebitdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse19000001.9USD$falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the purchase price of assets sold, after application of the working capital adjustment in accordance with the Purchase Agreement.No definition available.false2Purchase price of assets sold, after application of working capital adjustment6false 4lime_EffectivePurchasePriceOfAssetsSoldlime_falsedebitdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse1110000011.1USD$falsetruefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the effective purchase price of assets sold.No definition available.false2Effective purchase pricefalseSubsequent Events (Details) (Subsequent event, ESCO business, USD $)HundredThousandsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruefalsefalseSheethttp://www.lime-energy.com/role/DisclosureSubsequentEventsDetails16