Businesses love finding ways to reduce operating costs—however, cutting back on expenses can be tricky. After all, you don’t want to ruin your customers’ experiences.
You may be considering cutting back on staff time on the floor, but this can lead to backups in all departments consumers depend on.
Another option may be foregoing a sale or reducing your advertising budget, but neither of these are great options. However, a Phoenix sign company may be able to give you some suggestions like combining energy-efficient LEDs with solar power.
Benefits of Solar-Powered Signage
Keeping your business signage illuminated day and night doesn’t have to run up your energy bill. LEDs are a cost-effective solution. The lights are long-lasting, sometimes up to ten years, need little to no maintenance, and use around 80% less electricity than traditional luminaires. Sounds good so far, right?
You can further increase your savings when you combine LEDs with solar power. The sun provides most of the energy necessary for your sign to light up and since LEDs are energy-efficient, you don’t have to worry about your sign going dark.
Flexible Installation
Do you have a spot that is perfect for a business sign but there aren’t any available power sources close by? This is a common issue many businesses face. Previously, their only solution was to either choose another location or go with a battery-powered sign.
Going with another location often means losing visibility, as consumers may not be able to spot your signage as easily in the less preferred location.
While battery-powered signs are a viable option, there are downsides. Changing out the battery packs is expensive and time-consuming. If the sign is in a hard-to-reach place, it may be almost impossible to replace the battery.
Solar-powered signage eliminates these issues. You can install the sign in your preferred location. Since you’re not dependent on traditional power sources, it doesn’t matter if there isn’t a connection nearby. The solar-powered battery ensures your sign is illuminated.
Don’t forget that LEDs use less energy than traditional bulbs like fluorescent tubes so the stored solar power lasts longer.
Little to No Maintenance
We previously mentioned that LEDs are long-lasting and need almost zero maintenance. LEDs can last on average up to ten years before it’s time to replace the diodes.
Just think about the savings your business will see on replacement costs alone. Now add in the reduced maintenance expenses, and your business is probably looking at significant savings.
The same low maintenance costs also apply to solar batteries, as the battery is designed to last for around 5 to 15 years. Unlike traditional batteries, when it’s finally time to replace a solar-powered battery since the process is relatively easy. Even during the replacement process, you’re still saving on maintenance costs.
Best of all, if there is a power failure, you don’t need to worry about electric surges shortening out the battery or the lights. LEDs are extremely durable in adverse weather conditions and can withstand power surges without any noticeable wear or tear.
Show Off Your Commitment to the Environment
Is your business working toward its LEED certification? If so, congratulations! If you’re not sure what LEED certification is or confused about getting started, here’s a quick summary.
LEED is the acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The certification and system are globally recognized and indicate green buildings and businesses. The certificate is also something consumers are starting to pay attention to and look for in the brands they support.
The framework has multiple sections but one is devoted to energy efficiency. Yes, this section covers lighting and business signage.
Switching from neon, incandescent, and fluorescent signage to LEDs is a good start. However, you can take it a step further by also using solar power instead of electricity.
Being able to let your consumers know you’re taking steps to reduce your business’s carbon footprint is always good for your brand. However, before you start installing solar batteries there are a couple of downsides to be aware of.
The batteries used to store solar power aren’t known for their extended lifespans. You should expect to replace the solar battery every five to 15 years or so.
These batteries aren’t cheap but you can see a return on your investment in the form of energy savings. The batteries also need to be taken to an authorized recycling facility, and there isn’t one in every city.
With this being said, there are plenty of reasons to consider combining LEDs and solar power in your business signage. To learn more, talk to a professional sign company today.