As the temperature drops in Kelowna this winter, you’re probably wondering if your neon signs will be affected. The cold temperatures can sometimes make neon signs a little less bright, which definitely doesn’t help in the early dark evenings in Kelowna. This loss of brightness happens because the decrease in temperature has an effect on the gas. That being said, neon is considered an inert gas, so the loss of brightness is not due to the neon gas itself. In fact, neon is actually resistant to cold temperatures, but the gases combined with neon to create different colors, are the ones affected by the decrease in temperature. It’s actually the gas known as Argon that has a negative reaction to colder temps, so any signs that use argon gas may dim, flicker, or burn out completely when it gets cold.
How does this happen?
By now you’re probably wondering how and why this happens. The gases used in a neon sign work better in the warmer Kelowna temperatures. Neon signs are created when gas is placed within a closed tube, ignited by electricity, which then creates heat that results in a chosen color. The cold outdoor temperatures can disrupt this process, which then results in the sign becoming dim or your sign may begin to flicker.
How can this be fixed?
This can be fixed in a few different ways. One thing to remember is that this doesn’t mean your sign is damaged for good, as the sign will work as good as new once it warms up. Some signs can also come with cabinets where the neon sign is warmed up by the installed fluorescent lamps. For more information on neon signs, or any of your Kelowna sign needs, contact Signcraft today, or visit us on our Facebook page!
