The key facts

  • A gap of about 5 cm around the body reduces overheating of the compressor and cooling system
  • It is better to keep the battery charge between 20–80%
  • A surge protector or stabilizer protects electronics from voltage surges

Practical rules from an engineer

The service life of household appliances and electronics can be extended without special skills, engineer and inventor Alexander Mikhalevich, founder and technical director of the company Renton, told Gazeta.Ru. His first rule is that appliances do not like extremes of temperature and humidity. Devices placed flush against a wall or in a niche without ventilation overheat, which harms microchips and motors; a gap of at least 5 cm around the body of a refrigerator or computer reduces the load on the compressor and cooling system. Humidity accelerates wear just as much as overheating.

Batteries, power and care

According to Mikhalevich, you should not discharge devices to zero or constantly keep them at one hundred percent — both modes wear out the battery the fastest; it is better to keep the charge between 20–80%, and when charging a smartphone overnight, enable charge optimization in the settings. He called voltage surges the main enemy of sensitive electronics: even imperceptible fluctuations are destructive for power supplies, so a quality surge protector or voltage stabilizer helps. Dust clogs ventilation openings, disrupts heat dissipation and provokes overheating — regular cleaning with a soft brush or lint-free wipes noticeably extends the life of appliances.

First signs of breakdown and placement

“It is important to notice in time the first warning signs of approaching breakdowns: unusual noise, vibration, a burning smell or malfunctions. A minor fault fixed immediately often prevents a major breakdown. If an appliance starts behaving strangely, it is better to contact a specialist or run diagnostics,” Mikhalevich noted. He also advises not to place appliances on a vibrating surface — for example, a washing machine on a wooden floor or a monitor on a wobbly shelf, since constant vibration loosens moving parts. Sunlight is harmful to plastic and seals, and heat is harmful to batteries and screens. Earlier, as the outlet recalls, readers were already given advice on how to choose appliances that will not break down within a year.