led sign conversions

Monument Sign LED Conversions – Lake County – While you can upgrade any sign to led, monument signs benefit the most.  Monument Sign LED Conversions – Lake County Illinois In Illinois, monument sign LED conversions have become a standard upgrade for businesses, schools, and municipalities. This popularity is driven by a unique combination of the state’s extreme climate, aggressive energy-efficiency incentives, and the high-traffic nature of its commercial corridors. 1. Resilience Against Illinois Winters The most practical reason for the surge in LED conversions is the “Chicago-style” winter. Traditional fluorescent and neon lights struggle in freezing temperatures; they often flicker, dim, or require higher voltage to “strike” (turn on) when the mercury drops. In contrast, LEDs are solid-state electronics that thrive in the cold, maintaining consistent brightness and instant-on capability even during a polar vortex. This reliability ensures that a business remains visible during the long, dark winter months when sunset occurs as early as 4:30 PM. 2. Powerful Utility Incentives (ComEd & Ameren) Illinois has some of the most robust energy-efficiency programs in the country. Major utility providers like ComEd (serving Northern Illinois) and Ameren (serving Central and Southern Illinois) offer significant rebates and “instant incentives” for LED retrofits. ComEd often provides per-watt-reduced incentives that can cover a substantial portion of the installation cost. Ameren offers “Small Business Direct Install” programs that simplify the transition. These programs often result in a “payback period” of less than two years, after which the 60–80% reduction in energy costs goes directly to the bottom line. 3. Reduced Maintenance and “Bucket Truck” Fees In Illinois, labor for exterior sign repair can be expensive, often requiring specialized equipment like bucket trucks or cranes. Traditional signs require frequent bulb and ballast replacements. LEDs, however, boast a lifespan of 50,000 to 100,000 hours. By converting, property owners virtually eliminate the need for annual service calls, which is particularly beneficial for monument signs located near busy, high-wind roadways where maintenance can be a logistical headache. 4. Dynamic Messaging for Competitive Markets Beyond simple lighting retrofits, many Illinois businesses are converting static faces to Digital LED Message Centers. In competitive suburban areas like Naperville or Schaumburg, the ability to change promotions remotely without “changing letters” by hand in the snow is a massive advantage. These digital displays offer high-contrast visibility that cuts through rain, fog, and heavy glare, ensuring the brand stands out 24/7. Why Choose Nu Glo Signs For Monument Sign LED Conversions – Lake County Choosing Nu Glo Sign Company (based in Grayslake, IL) is a strategic move for businesses in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin due to their deep-rooted local expertise and specialized equipment. While large national franchises offer “cookie-cutter” solutions, Nu Glo is a family-owned operation that has navigated the specific architectural and weather-related challenges of the region since 1982. Here is why they are a preferred choice for Northern Illinois businesses: 1. “Polar Vortex” Tested Signage Northern Illinois presents a unique engineering challenge: extreme heat in the summer and sub-zero temperatures with high winds in the winter. Nu Glo specializes in LED conversions and high-durability fabrications designed specifically to withstand these fluctuations. Their signs are built to avoid the common “flicker” or dimming issues that traditional fluorescent tubes face during Illinois winters. 2. Massive In-House Fleet (100ft+ Reach) Maintenance is often the hidden cost of signage. Nu Glo stands out because they own and operate their own cranes and bucket trucks with reaches exceeding 100 feet. The Benefit: Many local sign shops have to rent this equipment, passing that cost onto you. The Scale: Whether it’s a high-rise wall sign in Lake County or a massive pole sign along I-94, they can service it in-house, leading to faster response times for repairs. 3. Comprehensive Local Expertise Nu Glo handles the entire lifecycle of a sign, which is critical given the strict and varied zoning laws in Illinois municipalities like Gurnee, Libertyville, and McHenry. Permit Navigation: They have decades of experience dealing with local village boards to ensure your sign meets “setback” and “lumination” codes. Full-Service Shop: We provide everything from initial concept and 3D acrylic design to electrical wiring and long-term maintenance. 4. Specialized Maintenance & Repair Unlike companies that only want to sell you new signs, Nu Glo has a heavy focus on repair and restoration. We are known for: Cleaning and Refacing: Revitalizing sun-faded sign faces to make them look new without the cost of a full replacement. Parking Lot Lighting: Extending our services to the surrounding property to ensure customer safety and visibility. LED Retrofitting: Helping businesses take advantage of Illinois energy rebates (like those from ComEd) by swapping old, expensive neon or fluorescent internals for high-efficiency LEDs. And keep in mind, virtually any signage can be converted to LED Backlighting including… Wall Signage Pole Signage Road Signage Cabinet Signs Monument Signs Channel Letter Signs Sign Services today for your signage solutions in Lake County. Ask for a free estimate today! 847-223-6160 or 847-417-2342