Photo by Prykhodov, iStock
Many of us are so connected to our phones, tablets and laptops that we panic when their batteries near the dreaded 0% mark. If you ever find yourself fretting over your device’s power levels, here are a few tips on striking the right balance between battery health and how you work and play.
Keep your battery about 40% to 80% charged. Modern rechargeable batteries contain two different materials that produce electricity when particles flow from one to the other. The flow reverses when being recharged. This back-and-forth process will degrade the battery over time, but keeping both sides of the battery in balance, with the device charged at about 50%, puts the least amount of stress on the battery. Of course, no one’s going to keep their phone half-charged all the time, so the experts advise a range of 40% to 80% or sometimes 20% to 80%.
Avoid overnight charging. Charging your device up to 100% or letting it drain to 0%, puts extra stress on the battery and can shorten its life. Manufacturers recommend charging your devices occasionally throughout the day rather than keeping them plugged in while you sleep. Newer electronics will actually stop charging at 100%, but each time the charge drops to 99%, charging will resume.
Keep it cool, but not cold. One absolute in battery care is don’t let your device get warmer than 95 degrees. Keep it out of the sun, and never leave it in a hot vehicle. If the device does get hot, don’t go to the other extreme and put it in the freezer. Just place it in the shade or take the cover off for a while.
Use less power. The easiest way to put less stress on the battery is to use less power. Close energy-draining apps and functions when you’re not using them, and activate energy-saving settings like putting the device to sleep sooner during periods of inactivity. Another easy way to reduce battery use is to activate the “airplane mode” button every now and then. You may be inconvenienced by a temporary pause on receiving e-mails or phone calls, but it might help you focus on that movie you’re watching, the trail you’re hiking or the conversation with your dinner companions.
Paul Wesslund writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the national trade association representing more than 900 local electric cooperatives.