Here’s why you should think twice before storing your electronics in the garage

For the most part, the garage seems like a pretty sensible place to store electronics. There’s usually plenty of room for unused TVs, old laptops, game consoles, cable boxes or spare monitors so they don’t take up space in the main part of your home. However, storing your electronics in the garage can be a slow and brutal way of turning them into paperweights, depending on where you live and the condition of your garage.

Most garages in the United States do not have climate control simply because it is the default safe position. Because carbon monoxide or other hazardous gases could potentially enter the home through connected ducts, most state and local building codes treat garages as the orphans of the home. Worse yet, most garages are not insulated and tend to have a greenhouse effect, often 10 to 18 degrees warmer than the outside temperature. For example, the dry heat of the southwest can accelerate the aging of batteries and, in some areas, produce rapid and significant temperature swings in the evening.

No matter where you live, moisture can corrode contacts and solder joints and create condensation inside devices. Of course, this doesn’t mean that every garage will destroy every gadget. A properly closed and insulated garage in a mild climate presents a relatively low risk. However, as a general rule, you should never store electronic devices in a garage unless the temperature is controlled or the environment consistently remains within the manufacturer’s recommended storage conditions.

The best answer is to store them in a climate-controlled environment, probably inside your home where space is available. Before storing anything, you should always back up your important data, remove all disposable batteries, and periodically charge all rechargeable devices. Most devices have some form of manufacturer recommendations for long-term storage. For example, Apple recommends storing a MacBook in a cool place with its battery at 50%.

If garage parking is your only realistic option, there are steps you can take to help mitigate the risk. Use rigid, sealed, weather-resistant bins, not a basic Tupperware container or cardboard boxes. Place the silica desiccant packs inside the container and wrap any delicate materials in anti-static bags. Also, do not place bins on a concrete floor. Instead, place them on a shelf or in an elevated location. Finally, avoid sealing the device in the presence of humidity. For example, if it’s hot and humid outside, seal the unit indoors, where it’s cool and dry.

A set of humidity sensors is also handy. Place one near storage bins and monitor temperature and relative humidity sensors throughout the hottest and coldest months of the year. If it’s very hot outside, especially for an extended period of time, move the equipment indoors or seriously consider storing it in an air-conditioned location.

Not necessarily. But it also depends on your definition of cold: Mississippi cold or northern Minnesota cold? Most TVs can withstand a cold snap as long as the temperature stays within the manufacturer’s recommended storage ranges and they stay dry. It is the freezing conditions that create problems, including a rapid and significant change in temperature. Additionally, you should never bring a cold TV indoors, plug it in, and turn it on immediately.

Give it time to sit and come to room temperature so that any interior moisture has time to evaporate. The same logic applies to computers, cameras, printers, routers, speakers, and all gaming consoles, vintage or not. Check the manual for each item or view it online as acceptable storage conditions vary. Most manufacturers’ guidelines allow a little more leeway in storage versus operating conditions, but almost always call for a moisture-free environment.

Humidity is a major problem in coastal areas and the Southeast during cold months. A winter in the Outer Banks, North Carolina, is more brutal when it comes to electronics in the garage than a winter in Las Vegas. Exposure to humidity is anathema to electronics, whether it’s hot or cold outside, and coastal regions are perpetually humid. A sealed desiccant is useful in both climates, but it’s always a good idea to stick to a stable humidity range, if possible.