Neon Vs. LED Lights

Neon Sign

Neon signs have been a part of modern life since the early 1900s. Bright and dramatic, signmakers have bent them into an enormous array of flashy designs. High-brightness light-emitting diode (LED) signs have been making inroads in the early 21st century. Efficient and safe, they have many advantages over neon and few drawbacks.

Safety

(Reference 2) Neon signs are powered by a high-voltage transformer, posing a shock hazard. LEDs run on low-voltage DC current with reduced shock risk.

Efficiency

(Reference 2) LED signs use up to 70% less electricity than a comparable neon sign. Since LEDs run cooler, less energy is wasted as heat.

Esthetics

(Reference 2) City dwellers are still surrounded by a sea of neon, and people are used to its appearance. Many prefer its warmer tones over the more clinical look of LEDs.

Brightness

Newer generations of LEDs have been pushing the brightness envelope. In 2010, they're on a par with neon.

Maintenance

(Reference 1) LED and neon signs will both lose brightness over time, about 10 years of continuous use. LEDs will dim gradually, and neon will flicker and go out completely.

References

• LED Sign Works: LED vs. Neon
• Bright Neon Signs: What's the Difference in Neon and LEDs?