Increasingly frequent and extreme heat waves can become a silent enemy to both your comfort and your electronic devices. Excessive heat not only affects your health but can also damage or render useless your cell phones, computers, tablets, household appliances, and all types of technological devices. That's why it's essential to know and apply a series of practical tips to protect your electronic devices from high temperatures and ensure their durability and proper functioning throughout the summer.
Why does extreme heat affect electronic devices?
Most electronic devices are designed to operate within specific ambient temperature ranges.When these limits are exceeded, overheating negatively affects the efficiency, lifespan, and even safety of the equipment. Extreme heat can cause internal component failure, reduce performance, inflate batteries, causing unexpected shutdowns and even fires.
Some factors that aggravate the situation in a heat wave:
- Increased energy demand: Appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners work harder, increasing wear and tear and internal heat.
- Poorly ventilated environments: A closed or poorly ventilated environment accumulates heat, making it difficult to dissipate temperature.
- Electrical fluctuations: High power consumption can cause voltage spikes that damage unprotected devices.
- Delicate materialsModern electronic components, especially lithium batteries and environmentally friendly solders, are more sensitive to high temperatures.
Complete Guide: 14 Tips for Protecting Your Electronic Devices During a Heat Wave
- Avoid direct sun exposure
Always place your devices in shaded areas, away from windows, terraces, or desks where sunlight shines. The sun significantly increases the device's temperature and can damage it. Battery and circuits.
Don't leave devices in the car: The interior of a vehicle can quickly reach temperatures of over 70°C, making it one of the most dangerous places for cell phones, laptops, tablets, and cameras. If you have no other option, place them under a light-colored blanket and leave the car in the shade. - Facilitates ventilation
Make sure the equipment has clear space around it and that the vents are clean and unobstructed.- Regularly clean fans, air vents and dust filters on laptops, PCs, routers and household appliances. Adequate airflow helps dissipate heat better.
- Avoid placing appliances in closed cabinets or on shelves.
- Charge your devices in cool, ventilated environments
Charging batteries generates additional heat. Do this preferably in open spaces or with good airflow. If possible, use fans or moderate air conditioning.
Avoid thick blankets or covers while charging the device. - Reduce the use of thick covers or cases in summer
Cases protect against impacts, but hinder heat dissipation. During heat waves, remove the case when you're at home or in safe places. - Disable unnecessary features and apps
The more open applications and active functions you have, the more the CPU works and the more the device's temperature increases.- Turn off WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, and mobile data if you don't need them.
- Close background applications from the task manager.
- On computers and consoles, avoid running heavy programs or demanding games during the hottest hours.
- Keep the screen off or on low brightness
The screen is one of the components that generates the most heat. Reduce the brightness to the minimum necessary and activate the automatic screen shutdown.- Use the dark mode on mobile phones, tablets, and computers. In addition to protecting your eyes, OLED and AMOLED displays generate less heat with dark backgrounds.
- Avoid fast charging in extreme heat conditions
Fast charging raises the battery temperature, which can be dangerous in high ambient temperatures. If your phone allows it, select conventional charging or use standard chargers. - Do not fully charge the battery on hot days
According to university experts, the ideal is to maintain the charge at 60-80% to avoid voltage spikes and minimize thermal stress on the battery. - Use cooling bases or external coolers
On laptops and consoles, use bases with fans to improve dissipation.- Always place your laptop on a hard, flat surface, not on a bed, sofa, or blanket.
- Plan the use of appliances
Avoid using large appliances, such as ovens or dryers, during the middle of the day. Place refrigerators and routers in well-ventilated areas and away from heat sources. - Unplug chargers when not in use
Many chargers continue to generate heat and consume power even when not connected to a device. They can also overload the power grid at critical times. - Update the system and applications
Keeping your operating system and apps up to date improves energy efficiency and thermal management of your hardware, as many manufacturers introduce improvements to temperature control. - Avoid humid and saline environments
In coastal areas, humidity and salt water can corrode internal circuitry. Store equipment in a dry location and add silica gel bags to cases or drawers to absorb moisture. - Watch for overheating symptoms and give your equipment a rest
If you notice that your device is getting too hot, act quickly:- Turn off the device and place it in a cool, sunlight-free area.
- Do not place the equipment in the refrigerator or freezer (sudden temperature changes damage the components).
- Avoid using or charging the device for a few minutes after overheating.
Remember: just as your body needs rest, your devices will also appreciate a break during the hottest hours.
Additional aspects: Safety, maintenance and breakdown prevention
- Use surge protectorsPower grids can be stressed during heat waves, increasing the risk of voltage spikes. A good surge protector will prevent damage in the event of unexpected surges.
- Perform preventive maintenanceTake your equipment to a trusted service center for an annual internal cleaning, especially for computers and laptops. Keep USB and HDMI ports, ventilation slots, and keyboards free of dust.
- Avoid cleaning with liquidsNever clean electronic equipment with water or liquids on very hot days. Use compressed air or dry cloths to avoid the risk of short circuits or internal moisture.
- Protect your devices in harsh environmentsIf you're going to the beach or pool, protect your phones and tablets in waterproof bags and away from direct sunlight. Sand and salt can infiltrate and damage circuitry.
- Monitors the temperature of the device: Use apps like smart thermometer, CPU-Z or other recommended applications to monitor internal temperature and adjust usage if it spikes.
- Update firmware and drivers: : Not only the operating system, but also the firmware of the device and its components can include improvements to protect against the risk of overheating.
What are the main types of damage that a heat wave can cause to your devices?
- Battery swelling and degradation: Heat accelerates the wear of lithium batteries, can swell them, and even cause an explosion or fire.
- Premature component wear: Processors, memories and electronic circuits deteriorate rapidly with repeated exposure to high temperatures.
- Spontaneous shutdowns and restarts: Many devices' safety systems shut down the device if they detect dangerous temperatures.
- Reduction of useful life: Constant operation at high temperatures shortens the life of the device.
- Data loss or corruption: Sudden overheating can cause storage failure and loss of important information.
- mechanical damageThermal expansion can affect physical parts such as screens, housings, or even break internal welds.
Frequently asked questions about device care during the heat wave
- What temperature is dangerous for my devices? Most smartphones and laptops work best between 10 and 35°C. Don't use consoles, laptops, or mobile phones above 35°C, and never in direct sunlight.
- What do I do if my device is too hot? Turn it off, place it in the shade, and let it cool down gradually. Do not use cold fans or put it in the refrigerator/freezer.
- Is it good to use heat-resistant covers? Use them only if they are accompanied by silica gel to prevent moisture. It's best to remove the cover in a cool, interior space.
- What happens if I leave my phone in the car? Heat can permanently damage the battery, display, and circuitry. Never leave devices in the car in direct sunlight, even if they're turned off.
- Should I unplug appliances? When not in use, yes. It's recommended to unplug chargers and electronic equipment during peak power usage times, especially during storms or heat surges.
Extra recommendations for special situations
- On vacation at the beach or in wetlandsStore your laptop or phone in an airtight case and use silica gel packs to minimize moisture. Keep devices away from sand and protect them from salt spray.
- In case of thunderstorms: Unplug sensitive equipment to protect it from power surges. If you're using a UPS or power strips with surge protection, verify they're working properly.
- Long-term storageIf you are not going to use a device during extremely hot days, store the device with the battery half charged in a cool, dry place.
- Electric vehicles: Keep in mind that battery range decreases in extreme heat, so plan your journeys and avoid leaving your car in the sun for long periods of time.
The increase in heat waves makes protecting your electronic devices a crucial task to avoid unpleasant surprises, unexpected expenses, and the loss of valuable information. With these comprehensive tips, you'll minimize the risk of breakdowns, extend the lifespan of your devices, and enjoy the summer with maximum technological peace of mind. Share this information with your loved ones: prevention is essential when the heat is on and technology is part of your daily life.
