real neon signs collection — Custom LED Neon Sign & Wall Decor Art | NeonsignLife (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a neon sign and a LED neon sign? ›

LED neon signs like NeonPlus® are around 80% more energy efficient than traditional neon signs, using far less power and giving off only an inconsequential amount of heat. As they also tend to made from materials which are fully recyclable, they have a smaller carbon footprint.

Traditional neon signs are called so because they use neon, or argon, gas to create the bright colour. Genuine neon signs give off an inimitable glow, created by pumping glass constructions with the right gas depending on the final colour of the sign.

Much of the high cost of traditional neon signs is a result of how rare they are now. That process is a mastered art known by few and done professionally by even fewer — so when there's only a handful of people able to make neon signs through that complicated process, the price is naturally high.

Vintage porcelain neon signs are among the most sought after and most expensive of all porcelain signs. Restaurant and shop owners want them displayed in their establishment, collectors love to show them off in their back room or garage to their friends, and many are still in use above businesses, hotels, and houses.

Many neon signs up until this point were also made from glass containing lead. Health concerns over the use of lead in construction in the 1960s contributed to the decline of neon signage in favor of safer options.

The color of the light depends on the gas in the tube. Neon lights were named for neon, a noble gas which gives off a popular orange light, but other gases and chemicals called phosphors are used to produce other colors, such as hydrogen (purple-red), helium (yellow or pink), carbon dioxide (white), and mercury (blue).

– one of the most common questions we receive from our customers. Generally, neon light signs can easily last about eight to fifteen years when taken appropriate care of. However, the longevity of neon signs depends on several factors, such as usage, quality of the materials, external damages, and more.

Over time, the gas content of the neon tube may decrease due to physical processes. Theoretically, it is possible to refill the gas. However, since this is a logistically and financially very costly undertaking, it is usually more efficient to replace the glass element in question.

Between the lines: Many Pacific Northwest companies replaced their neon signs during the '70s and '80s following campaigns to ban them because they were considered "tacky" and "garish," said collector John Bennett of John Bennett Properties.

What are the disadvantages of neon signs? ›

Luminous neon glass tubes in the neon signs typically last about 8 to 15 years. If put in the right environment and well-maintained, then you could get your money's worth. Coatings last for up to 7 to 10 years, depending on the sign's brightness and usage.

A red neon light's electricity consumption is around 3.5-4 watts per foot. If you run a neon sign for 12 hours non-stop, every foot of it will use about 15.3-17.5 kilowatt-hours of electricity every year. By way of comparison, let's look at neon vs. LED power consumption.

While it may seem counter-intuitive, the truth is that it's best for your neon sign if you leave it plugged in all the time. Why? The sign's power transformation will wear out much sooner if your sign is continually turned on and off every day.

When properly maintained, outdoor neon signs can last for decades. This makes them a wise investment for any business owner who wants to make a long-term impact.

Energy savings - Here, an LED sign is the clear choice as it can be up to 10x more energy efficient than the same sign made from glass neon tubes. Versatility - LED lights come in a much wider range of colors and can be bent much more tightly, giving you better options as regards shapes and styles of signage.

Traditional neon lights have a life expectancy of about 10,000 hours. That means that you will need to plan to change the lights periodically based on how much you use the sign. LED lights have a life expectancy that is three times longer, which means that you won't have to replace them nearly as often.

– one of the most common questions we receive from our customers. Generally, neon light signs can easily last about eight to fifteen years when taken appropriate care of. However, the longevity of neon signs depends on several factors, such as usage, quality of the materials, external damages, and more.

Convert your neon sign lighting to LED

Ease of installation, little or no maintenance and maximum system energy efficiency generate ROI results that work. Neon-to-LED Rapid Retrofit by Ventex will lower your energy bills, reduce your maintenance costs and enhance your image.