Color or Shine? This or That? You must get confused about what to choose whenever you're considering lighting up your space. Whether you want to light up your cozy living room, a trendy cafe, or a striking storefront, you're likely to be part of the ongoing debate between neon and LED lights.
You will find both neon and LED lights with unique elements, but if you’re conscious about energy efficiency and long-term savings, the choice becomes important.
In this blog, you’ll explore the fascinating world of neon and LED lights, unraveling the differences between them to see which one truly suits your preferences and energy efficiency.
The Basics: Lighting 101
You must be thinking, what’s the basic difference between neon and LED lights. You must understand first what you're dealing with:
- Neon Lights: You will find these classic tubes filled with neon gas that shines brightly when an electric current passes through them. You must be aware of their vibrant colors, and you can see them being used in signage and decorative lighting.
- LED Lights: Light Emitting Diodes, also commonly known by their short form - LED. You must have seen these efficient light sources everywhere, from your own home to electronic displays.
Time for Energy Consumption Showdown
The most significant difference between neon and LED lights you will find is their energy efficiency.
You must know how neon lights require high voltage to excite the gas inside the tubes, which then produces light. This process consumes a considerable amount of energy.
It can be surprising for you how LED lights need less power to produce the same amount of light as neon lights. For your information, LEDs can convert about 95% of the energy they consume into light, with only 5% wasted as heat. Interesting right?
This efficiency transports to lower electricity bills and a smaller carbon footprint.
Light Lifespan: Burn Bright, Burn Long
The neon lights definitely will give you a longer lifespan that typically lasts upto 8,000 to 15,000 hours. However, you must know the repercussions as well. As they are fragile, the gas can leak over time, causing the light to get dim or damage.
On the other hand, you will find LED more durable, lasting upto 50,000 hours or even more. You’d be happy to know how LEDs are less prone to damage. This means that you can be carefree about frequent replacements, and it’ll become more hassle-free for you as well.
You will be delighted to know how LEDs are relatively maintenance-free, too. Therefore, once you install them, you can forget about them until they need to be replaced. You will find LEDs a convenient option, especially if you prefer a set-it-and-forget-it approach.
Environmental Impact
If you’re environmentally conscious, the difference between neon and LED becomes even more critical. The neon lights contain gasses like neon or argon, which are absolutely harmless, but they need a significant amount of energy to produce and recycle.
You will find LEDs much more eco-friendly. That’s because they don’t contain harmful gasses and are made from recyclable materials. They will be extra beneficial for you as they have a longer lifespan and frequent replacements. Hence, your overall energy wastage will be resolved.
Therefore, by choosing LEDs, you’ll make a greener choice for the environment.
Color Pop: Brightness and Glow Game
If you’re looking for brightness and color, then you must consider the difference between neon and LED lights.
- Light: Neon lights are known for their bright, striking colors, which are not easy to match. But you should also keep in mind that they are not as bright as LEDs when it comes to white light or other saturated colors.
- Color: You can go for LED lights if you’re looking to add color and pop to your regular Neon lights. You’ll find neon lights good at first, but they can’t change colors dynamically, providing more versatility.
The Verdict: Who’s the Brightest Bulb
So, when it comes to the difference between neon and LED lights, it must be clear which you must choose and that would be neon lights.
Now, you must have understood by now why neon lights are better than LED lights. The reasons are that- they use less energy, last much longer, and require less maintenance. Moreover, they ensure environmental management for you as well.
There’s no denying that LED lights have a certain appeal, but if you consider the above-mentioned facts, you will ultimately be drawn to neon lights.
Are you ready to make the switch?We at Best Buy Neon make sure that you houses look prettyand your spaces are illuminated with energy-efficient Neon signs!