How much does it cost to run a neon sign?
A neon sign costs about 0.4¢ per hour, 2.2¢ a day, $0.66 a month and $8 a year at typical use (6 hours a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. LED flex 'neon' signs draw about 5-30 W; traditional glass neon with a transformer draws roughly 60-150 W.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LED neon (small) | 10 | 0.2¢ | 1.1¢ | $0.33 | $4 |
| LED neon (medium) | 20 | 0.4¢ | 2.2¢ | $0.66 | $8 |
| Glass neon | 100 | 1.8¢ | 11¢ | $3.29 | $39 |
At 6 hours a day and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.02 | 0.4¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| 2 hours | 0.04 | 0.7¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| 4 hours | 0.08 | 1.4¢ | $0.44 | $5 |
| 8 hours | 0.16 | 2.9¢ | $0.88 | $11 |
| 12 hours | 0.24 | 4.3¢ | $1.31 | $16 |
| 24 hours | 0.48 | 8.6¢ | $2.63 | $32 |
Cost to run a neon sign in every state
The same neon sign costs $5 a year in North Dakota and $19 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.45 | $5 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.46 | $6 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.47 | $6 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.47 | $6 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.49 | $6 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.49 | $6 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.49 | $6 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.50 | $6 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.50 | $6 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.51 | $6 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.51 | $6 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.51 | $6 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.51 | $6 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.52 | $6 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.52 | $6 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.52 | $6 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.54 | $6 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.54 | $6 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.55 | $7 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.55 | $7 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.56 | $7 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.56 | $7 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.56 | $7 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.57 | $7 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.57 | $7 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.57 | $7 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.58 | $7 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.59 | $7 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.60 | $7 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.60 | $7 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.61 | $7 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.62 | $7 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.65 | $8 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.67 | $8 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.68 | $8 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.69 | $8 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.76 | $9 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.77 | $9 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.77 | $9 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.87 | $10 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.87 | $10 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.88 | $11 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.97 | $12 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.98 | $12 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.02 | $12 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.04 | $12 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.07 | $13 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.07 | $13 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.11 | $13 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.20 | $14 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 0.9¢ | $1.59 | $19 |
How to cut the cost
- Put signs on a timer; open signs often run 24/7.
- Dim LED neon to 50-70% indoors.
- Replace old glass neon with LED neon, which uses about 70-80% less.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Similar look at a fraction of the power and no high-voltage transformer.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neon sign | 20 | 6 hours a day | $0.66 | $8 |
| LED strip lights | 24 | 5 hours a day | $0.66 | $8 |
| LED string lights | 15 | 5 hours a day | $0.41 | $5 |
| Lava lamp | 25 | 6 hours a day | $0.82 | $10 |
| Salt lamp | 15 | 12 hours a day | $0.99 | $12 |
| Security floodlight | 30 | 11 hours a day | $1.88 | $23 |
| CFL bulb | 13 | 3 hours a day | $0.21 | $3 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a neon sign per hour?
A neon sign drawing 20 watts uses 0.02 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 0.4¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.2¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 0.9¢.
How much does it cost to run a neon sign per month?
At typical use (6 hours a day), a neon sign costs about $0.66 a month and $8 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a neon sign use?
Most neon signs use 5 to 150 watts, depending on the setting (led neon (small) 10 W, led neon (medium) 20 W, glass neon 100 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a neon sign use?
About 0.12 kWh a day and 44 kWh a year at typical use (6 hours a day).
Does a neon sign use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 44 kWh a year it's a small share (0.4%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a neon sign or an LED strip lights?
At typical use, a neon sign costs about $8 a year versus $8 for an LED strip lights. So the LED strip lights is cheaper by about $0 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a neon sign?
- Put signs on a timer; open signs often run 24/7.
- Dim LED neon to 50-70% indoors.
- Replace old glass neon with LED neon, which uses about 70-80% less.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.