Neon sign vs. LED strip lights: running cost
A neon sign is cheaper to run: about $8 a year versus $8 for an LED strip lights at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $0 difference.
| Neon sign | LED strip lights | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 20 W | 24 W |
| Watt range | 5–150 W | 5–72 W |
| Typical use | 6 hours a day | 5 hours a day |
| Energy per year | 44 kWh | 44 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 0.4¢ | 0.4¢ |
| Cost per day | 2.2¢ | 2.2¢ |
| Cost per month | $0.66 | $0.66 |
| Cost per year | $8 | $8 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $19 | $19 |
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What drives the difference
- Neon sign: LED flex 'neon' signs draw about 5-30 W; traditional glass neon with a transformer draws roughly 60-150 W.
- LED strip lights: Common 16-ft (5 m) RGB strips draw about 15-36 W at full white; colored scenes and dimmed settings use less. Controllers idle at about 0.5-1 W.
Ways to cut either cost
LED neon sign
Similar look at a fraction of the power and no high-voltage transformer.
See options on Amazon Smart plug with timer
Cuts controller standby and enforces off times.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, a neon sign or an LED strip lights?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), an LED strip lights costs about $8 a year versus $8 for a neon sign. That's $0 more.
How many watts do neon sign and LED strip lights use?
A neon sign typically draws 20 W (range 5–150 W). An LED strip lights draws 24 W (range 5–72 W). Watts alone don't decide cost. Hours of use, cycling and standby matter just as much.
Rates: EIA, 12 months ending 2026-07. Methodology.