5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About LED Retrofitting

Vital Signs USA, a full service commercial sign manufacturer and installer of commercial signage for the Chicago area, offers custom LED retrofitting. LED lights are considered more durable and more cost-effective than their fluorescent and neon counterparts. Why should you consider LED retrofitting?

Read on to learn more about how Vital Signs USA can work with you on your LED retrofit needs. Below are five things you probably didn’t know about LED retrofitting.

1. LEDs can reduce maintenance and energy costs up to 80%

Compared to fluorescent and neon lights, LED lights reduce maintenance and energy costs up to 80%. On average, LED lights running for 10 hours per day can last up to a decade, amounting to zero maintenance costs on your sign. Unlike fluorescent bulbs, LEDs have no filaments or fragile glass, meaning you can depend on this sign type to withstand the lifetime of 5-10 years. To replace one fluorescent bulb, a sign owner must pay for technicians, a truck, and safe disposal of the bulb, which can easily amount to hundreds of dollars. Rather than requiring maintenance 2-3 times per year, your sign won’t need to be serviced but once every 5-10 years.

2. LEDs reduce environmental impact

LEDs are considered the more eco-friendly option as compared to fluorescent and neon signs. Disposal of fluorescent bulbs requires the use of toxic mercury. Likewise, neon signs also contain mercury. Mercury is hazardous to the environment. White, blue, and green neon signs use argon/mercury and red neon signs use neon gas, which is considered so harmful to the environment that many states have already imposed a ban on such products. Additionally, a new law proposed by the state of California states that electrical energy use in signs must be significantly reduced. Because LED lights are dimmable, this is made possible by the use of LEDs whereas neon lights cannot be dimmed and will thus require too much energy to be used in California. LEDs are considered to have a lifetime energy saving of up to 40% over neon lighting.

3. LEDs are easy to install

Because LED signs don’t contain the fragile parts that fluorescent signage does, LED signs are considered extremely durable. LEDs are available to purchase and install within minutes, unlike neon lights which often break during transportation and installation, resulting in delays and potentially expensive repairs. And, because LEDs use smaller pass-through holes in a building’s structure, LEDs are much easier to install as they fit in confined places and offer more durable, flexible installation options.

4. LED stays brighter in cold weather

Neon signs’ brightness tends to drop considerably when temperatures drop below 35 degrees fahrenheit. In the dark, cold winter, this can wreak havoc on your company’s branding and visibility. Fortunately,LED modules stay brighter in cold weather, meaning your sign has excellent visibility, regardless of the temperature, all year round—ensuring that even the darkest, coldest winter days offer your company the marketing exposure needed to thrive.

5. LEDs are safer

LEDs, simply put, are the safer lighting option. Neon is considered a simple asphyxiant, and large amounts of neon can decrease the available amount of oxygen. Fluorescent lighting, on the other hand, can emit high levels of ultraviolet radiation. In fact, researchers at Stony Brook University found some fluorescent bulbs emitted rays so strong that they could actually burn skin on a cellular level. Additionally, whereas neon lights can use as much as 15,000 volts, LEDs have a secondary power of 12 volts. This voltage is much less prone to fire hazards, so you can rest easy knowing your LED retrofitted sign is in tip-top shape.

The bottom line

Consult with the team at Vital Signs USA to see if LED retrofitting is the right fit for your signage needs. Whether your business is a retail shop, a professional building, or a restaurant, Vital Signs USA can partner with you to ensure your signage is in perfect form.

Vital Signs USA travels to many different communities to provide top quality signs. Vital Signs USA’s service area includes all of metropolitan Chicago, including Lombard, Naperville, Oak Brook, DuPage County, and Schaumburg.

Get a free quote and visit vitalsignsusa.com to learn more about how Vital Signs USA can help your business succeed.