AA batteries are among the most commonly used batteries in any household. To say that there is a need to find ways to extend their battery life is not an exaggeration. Considerable household savings can be realized when people make it a point to observe practices that will extend battery life. Also, the more we are able to reuse batteries, the better it is for the environment.
Switch off devices when not in use
If we make it a habit to switch off the device which is idle and not in actual use, we are doing away with the bad habit of wasting battery life. This is something often taken for granted and always with the thinking that the device will just be left for a while. More often than not, the open device is forgotten as attention is diverted to other matters. Closing and reopening battery-operated devices usually do not take much effort so switching them off makes better sense.
Remove batteries in devices which will not be used for extended periods of time
Removing batteries from devices which will be stored and not to be used for some time is another way of extending battery life. This practice does not only prolong battery life but also the life of the device in which it is used. Batteries have a tendency to leak after some time especially when exposed to hot temperatures. Battery leakage can damage devices. Owners tend to forget about the inserted batteries of devices that are not commonly used.
Store batteries in a cool dry place
Not many people are aware that even brand new, never been used batteries can lose their electrical capacity when exposed to elevated temperatures. The best place to store them is any cool dry place at normal room temperature. Although there are many people who swear by the advantage of storing batteries in refrigerators, this is not really necessary.
Use rechargeable batteries
Rechargeable batteries obviously offer longer life than non-rechargeable batteries for the simple reason that they can be given power over and over again. Of course, this cannot go on forever since there will come a time that batteries will no longer be able to be recharged. It is quite safe to say that they are able to offer several uses before they are disposed. The danger in charging non-rechargeable batteries cannot be overemphasized. Rechargeable Nickel Metal Hydride batteries last longer than their alkaline counterparts. Owners must take care not to wait for battery power to be fully depleted to recharge since this can result to shorter battery life.
Use the right kind of battery
Not all batteries are the same even if they are all AA. Some devices drain batteries faster than others. There are batteries specially designed for high-drain applications and a quick comparison among those offered in the market can provide the right one. Using batteries that are not fit for such purpose might leave device owners with unfinished work and tasks in the most inopportune time. There may be differences in cost but buying the right battery at a higher cost is more cost-effective than buying several lower-priced batteries.
Briana Cameron is a regular blogger for Optimize Life with topics in batteries and other electronics. She also provides online marketing for Royal Battery Sales in Canada.
Originally posted on March 7, 2014 @ 5:51 am