Batteries are the life force inside portable electronic devices. But making sure your smartphone, laptop or mobile speaker has enough power is not always the easiest thing to gauge. Energy conservation experts at the German Environment Agency (UBA) have come up with some handy tips on how to keep those batteries running longer.
Stay away from the extremes
Lithium ion batteries are not designed to be fully charged or fully empty, and they age quicker if they are constantly kept at 100 per cent full, according to the experts. The agency also said total discharge of batteries (to 0 per cent) significantly damages the storage.
Avoid drastic cold
The batteries also don't do well if surrounding temperatures are too cold, as they rapidly lose capacity and can be damaged. Batteries work best when they are kept at room temperature. That's why it makes sense to keep your smartphone in your coat pocket when it's cold outside.
Can't stand the heat
Batteries also don't like it too hot. Users should not expose devices with batteries to drastic heat, the UBA suggested. Definite no-goes are windowsills under windshields of cars or other places in strong direct sunlight. Older devices without automatic charge termination also suffer when the battery is fully charged but kept on the power supply.
Store the device correctly
Lithium ion batteries slowly lose their charge when they are not being used. And since it's not good to completely discharge the device, it is best to store it at room temperature with between 40 and 60 per cent of the charge level.
Don't hoard spare batteries
The storage capacity of a battery decreases over time. So it doesn't always make sense to buy a replacement battery in advance. If it just lays around in a cabinet for years, it will not provide the full output when it's eventually needed. Wait and buy a newly manufactured battery when needed.
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