How Many Good Battery Habits Do You Really Have?

Batteries are rarely talked about – until they’re drained – then we’ll tell everyone as we beg desperately for a charger, hoping to get enough juice to last the day. The truth is, they’re a miracle of engineering that gets taken for granted when full and cursed when flat. If it feels like your battery is running out faster, you might be right. But it’s not because of ‘battery memory’ and needing to be cycled (that’s an older battery type called NiMh), it’s because the modern LITHIUM-ION batteries in phones and laptops just simply wear out over time. Fortunately, extending your battery life is easier than you think! Which of the following GOOD battery habits do you have?

1. Charge whenever you can: 

Lithium-ion batteries don’t like being charged all the way up and then drained all the way down. No wonder, it even sounds exhausting. Give them a little charge here and there, and they’ll be happy.

Shallow discharges and recharges are better than full ones, because they put less stress on the battery, so it lasts longer. When your battery is discharging, Battery University recommends that you only let it reach 50 percent before topping it up again. While you’re charging it back up, you should also avoid pushing a lithium-ion battery all the way to 100 percent.

2. Don’t leave your laptop plugged in all the time: 

Modern laptops prevent over-charge by stopping the flow of power when the battery registers as fully charged and Lithium-ion batteries have built-in safeguards designed to stop them from exploding if they’re left charging while at maximum capacity. However if you do fill your battery all the way up, it is best to not leave the device plugged in all the time; since electronics will age faster if they’re constantly plugged in while already charged to 100 percent. Instead, follow the shallow discharge and recharge cycle we just mentioned.

3. Watch for overheating: 

Check that your laptop’s vents are clear with good airflow, and if necessary, help it out with a cooling laptop stand. Phone chargers also generate heat, so at night make sure you have enough airflow around both your charger and phone, and never sleep with it under your pillow.

4. Charge batteries before storing: 

If you’re blessed with backup batteries, make sure to give them a half charge before storing. They’ll naturally discharge and age over time, so this gives them a fighting chance to still be viable when you need them.

5. Keep your cool: 

We know to avoid water with our phones, but we’re less careful about exposing it to heat. This includes leaving it in your car all day, placing it on top of your PC, or even in a sunny spot by the window. Wireless and rapid chargers can also be an issue, as the amount of heat they generate will affect your battery.

6. Replace your battery:

No matter what you do to improve your battery’s longevity, most will start to lose a large part of their charge capability after 2-3 years. Replacing the battery is a cost-effective maintenance that can extend the overall life our your laptop, phone, and other battery-powered electronics. If the device has an internal battery that is difficult to access, you can contact a local technology repair company to do the replacement for you.

Is keeping your lithium-ion battery happy easier than you thought? Your battery will wear out over time, but you can push that day a few years into the future if you remember to keep it charged and keep it cool.

Contact us for more information on our battery replacement services.