USA Today has an excellent article about endangered neon signs (many of them on old Route 66) and preservationists’ efforts to rescue or restore them.
An interesting passage here:
Neon fell out of favor in the 1960s and 1970s when urban renewal was a priority and zoning regulations often banned new neon signs. When businesses were sold or remodeled, their neon signs often were thrown away.
Neon signs are more fragile, harder to repair and use more electricity than LEDs, says Bob Clauss of Parvin-Clauss Sign Company Inc. in Carol Stream, a Chicago suburb. Those factors often prompt businesses with old neon signs to replace them, he says. “Customers are looking for a good value, and they want to do what’s right for the environment,” Clauss says.
I’m not against LED lighting per se. POPS in Arcadia, Okla., uses it effectively in its signature 66-foot-tall pop bottle, and the energy savings from LEDs are enormous.
But those who have historic neon signs should not replace neon with LED-based tubing. I’ve seen it tried, and It is not a viable substitute. I’d be inclined to stick with old-fashioned neon tubing until modern technology comes up with a good alternative.