Neon Signs

Think of neon lights. What comes to mind? Las Vegas, the 70s, and maybe even China Buffet (the one with the good egg rolls) down the street? China Buffet, in addition to practically every other small business in our country has some form of neon lighting to greet and welcome you into their store. It’s warm, welcoming — and inviting.

So why is used so much? Simple — it gets attention. Not only that, but it invokes nostalgic feelings of that time on vacation, at the bar, that time at a restaurant, etc. These are previous, enjoyable experiences. Neon lights have an aesthetic appeal to them and spectral properties that normal incandescent lighting does not.

If neon lights fit the theme of your rec room, consider the following.

How long do neon lights last?
For a neon sign that stays on 24/7, you can expect it to last for about a decade. Some can quit a few years before that, while some can make it for up to 15-20 years. It’s a solid investment.

How energy efficient are neon signs?
Extremely. Neon lights are bright because of their small, concentrated band of light. Typically, it uses less energy than a regular light bulb. Costs to operate a neon light 24/7 are about a quarter a day.

Can neon signs flash on and off automatically?
Sure, but you have to order something called a flashing transformer with your sign. This switch allows you to control the flashing speed, as well as leave the sign on all the time.

When watching a movie, can I dim the sign?
This is possible as well, but you need a dimmable transformer. This will come with a knob attached near the ON/OFF chain and allows you to control the brightness of your neon sign. Be aware that you want to make sure to buy the dimmable transformer designed for your specific neon light, as there can be compatibility issues when using a generic hardware-store brand dimmable transformer.