Tech survival kit for the cold: how to protect your devices and the warmth of your home

As the country has been hit by severe frosts, user habits have also changed: we’re at home more, the heating is on at maximum, while mobile phones and smart devices used outdoors are struggling with the extreme conditions. Technology can now provide solutions to these situations, but only if we are aware of a few basic rules.

“Tech-hypothermia”: why does everything sink faster?

It is common to experience that a phone that was still charged in the morning flashes red by noon, or an e-scooter/cordless tool left outside does not start. The reason for this is to be found in the chemistry of lithium-ion batteries: the cold slows down the internal chemical processes, the resistance increases, so the capacity apparently decreases drastically.

• What should we do? Keep the phone close to the body, in an inside pocket, where our body heat protects it. Use a headset to make phone calls, so your device doesn’t have to be in the freezing air.
• Safety reserve: At minus 10 degrees Celsius, a power bank is not a convenience, but a safety device. When you’re driving, always have a charged external battery with you – in a vehicle stuck in the snow, this is your only connection to the outside world.

The “locking” rule The biggest danger isn’t the cold itself, but the change in temperature. When you enter a room at +22 degrees Celsius from -5 degrees Celsius, condensation forms on cold surfaces – including the inside of your laptop, phone or camera. This moisture can cause a short circuit or corrosion.

• Expert advice: Do not turn on or charge a device you brought in from outside immediately! Give it 20-30 minutes of acclimatization time until it reaches room temperature.

Heat smartly: air conditioning is not just for cooling

Many people are still afraid to turn on the air conditioner in winter, even though modern inverter devices that can also be used for heating provide excellent and economical heating down to -15 or even -20 degrees. Because these devices draw energy from the outside air and do not use a heating element, they can be more energy efficient than traditional solutions.

• How to use it? Don’t keep turning the device on and off. Air conditioning is most effective when it keeps the temperature constant. Don’t be alarmed if the outdoor unit stops and hums from time to time: it defrosts itself, which is part of normal operation.
• Additional solutions: If the central heating is insufficient, fan heaters provide quick, local heat (e.g. when bathing), while oil radiators and electric convectors are suitable for more permanent additional heating.

Invisible dangers: dry air and surges

The cold air outside is already dry, which is made worse by intensive indoor heating. Humidity below 40% is not only harmful to mucous membranes and furniture, but also increases the risk of electrostatic charging, which can damage sensitive electronics. During the heating season, the use of humidifiers is therefore recommended from both technological and health perspectives.

In addition, the increased energy demand due to cold weather (heating, lighting, simultaneous use of home appliances) places a greater burden on the electrical network.