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Effects of Cold Weather on Your Office Equipment

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Office

Cold weather can put your office equipment at risk. Laptops, printers, mobile phones, and any other electronic machine could malfunction when the temperature drops. Here are some issues you should watch out for during the dead of winter.

  • Condensation

Condensation can happen when you move a computer from cold outdoor temperature into a warm office building. Toners tend to clump when there is condensation in a printer cartridge. Another gadget that is susceptible to condensation is your mobile phone screen. In all three instances, damage to the electronic device is highly probable.

  • Dead batteries

Battery drain is a common effect of cold weather. Office equipment that runs on batteries may instantly shut down due to an extreme drop in temperature. Mobile phones that are exposed to the cold for an extended period could risk battery damage.

  • Non-reaction of touch screens

The touch screen display of your tablet or notebook is sensitive to the cold. Smudging, ghosting and delayed reactions are common issues when the temperature is too low.

  • System errors

Electronic office equipment may begin to show system errors in freezing temperatures. As a result of damage to internal components, mobile phones might not be able to read a SIM card. Computers could have difficulty processing data or executing operations.

  • Freezing components

The LCD panel of your computer monitor becomes more rigid during cold weather. The same goes for internal and external components of mobile phones and laptops. That could cause spontaneous screen shattering.

11 Tips to Protect Your Office Equipment in Cold Weather

Caring for your computers

  1. Never leave your laptop or notebook in a cold car for extended periods. If you have to travel through freezing weather, always keep your computer inside its carrying case.
  2. If you’re working in -5°C or 23°F temperatures, shut down your computer before moving to a warmer room. Let it stay that way for a few minutes before turning the power back on.
  3. Laptop hard drives can freeze – literally – if they spend extended time in cold weather. Let your computer warm up to room temperature before pressing the power button. The same applies to other mobile devices.
  4. One way to keep your laptop warm is by switching to power save mode. It would keep the hard drive spinning instead of shutting down. The longer the laptop continues to run, the more heat it will generate.
  5. Always check the documentation of your computer for recommended operating temperatures and troubleshooting procedures. Not all laptops and tablets are the same and components could react differently to extreme temperature. Most Apple products work well between 32 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

Caring for your printers

  1. Toners are static-sensitive components, and so are transfer rollers, power supplies, and DC controllers. They are prone to discharge that could damage your printer or copier. Make sure you have enough stock during winter in case this happens.
  2. During cold weather, it is best to let your printer rest for a while before turning it on. It allows any internal condensation to evaporate.
  3. Printer ink can freeze too. Let it thaw until it warms up to around 10°C or 50°F before printing. Check other printer parts such as belts and electrical components and make sure they are entirely pliable.

Caring for other electronic devices

  1. Keep your electronic devices in a warm room as much as possible. If you have to take office equipment with you, store them in a protective case. Laptops and tablets should be well-insulated and heavily padded. Cover mobile phones with a weatherproof casing. Limit the number of hours they are in operation if you are out in the cold.
  2. Keep office equipment away from snow and ice. Dropping your laptop, tablet or mobile phone in freezing water can be extremely damaging. If your device does get wet, follow these steps to dry it out:
  • Get indoors quickly to prevent melted snow from freezing
  • Take out the battery and SIM card (if applicable)
  • Wipe the device with a microfiber cloth or paper towel
  • Put the device in an air-tight container with silica gel packets. Alternatively, submerge your device in a bowl of uncooked rice to draw out moisture.

Do not attempt to thaw your device with pocket warmers that are not intended for mobile electronic devices. These warmers can generate too much heat and melt internal components.

Contact Prestige for Your Office Equipment Cleaning Needs

Need help keeping your office equipment protected during the cold days? Call a day porter from Prestige Property Services.

Prestige provides day porter technicians and day matrons on site at 20 to 40 hours per week. Business hours are normally from 8 am to 5 pm, and from 6 am to 3 pm. Day porters are an excellent choice for maintaining multi-tenant properties with at least 40,000 square feet of space.

Prestige Property Services offers the following day porter services:

  • Dusting
  • Cleaning and disinfecting
  • Mopping and polishing
  • Vacuuming
  • Window washing
  • Blinds cleaning
  • Cleaning of light fixtures, baseboards, and office equipment
  • Emergency calls

Prestige can help you stay ready for winter. Ask for a quote today.

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day porter servicesoffice cleaningoffice cleaning serviceoffice equipmentoffice equipment cleaning
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