Mike Yu has owned Midtown Auto Service on Almeda Road for 25 years, and every summer, he faces a common problem with cars that fail to start due to battery issues. While many believe that cold weather is responsible for killing batteries, Yu explains that it is actually heat that causes batteries to fail more quickly. The extreme heat during Houston’s summers is particularly harmful to car batteries, which are prone to rapid deterioration under such conditions.
The Impact of Heat on Batteries
Rob Milstead, president of Texford Battery Company near the University of Houston, elaborates on the effect of hot temperatures on various types of batteries, including those in cars, laptops, and cell phones. Milstead explains that high heat can prevent a battery from operating efficiently by damaging its internal parts. This damage compromises the battery’s ability to store and release energy, ultimately shortening its lifespan.
Yu further clarifies that, under typical conditions, car batteries last between three and five years. However, in Houston’s scorching temperatures, the lifespan of these batteries is often reduced by about one-third. Car batteries are designed to withstand temperatures between 90 and 110 degrees, but in southeast Texas, they are frequently exposed to temperatures as high as 140 degrees, which accelerates wear and tear.
Optimal Temperature Ranges for Consumer Electronics
Milstead notes that consumer-electronic batteries, such as those in laptops and smartphones, perform best when kept in temperatures ranging from 70 to 75 degrees. He stresses that keeping devices in hot environments or charging them for prolonged periods creates heat within the battery, leading to inefficiency and potential damage. To preserve the battery’s longevity, Milstead recommends not overcharging and maintaining a charge level of about 75%.
Both Yu and Milstead offer some helpful tips to protect batteries from the harmful effects of heat. Yu suggests using a fan directed at the car’s radiator when it is parked to cool the battery. For electronic devices, Milstead advises charging them in cooler environments to minimize heat buildup. It’s also important to avoid keeping devices fully charged for long periods. Charging phones and laptops inside or in shaded areas can further reduce the risk of battery damage caused by high temperatures.