4 Simple Strategies to Extend the Life of Your TV

For an amazing entertainment experience, you might shop around, compare TVs and then buy a brand with the best picture and sound you can afford. But even high-quality televisions don’t last forever.

The picture can eventually become dimmer and dimmer, until one day the TV stops working altogether. In fact, some modern day TVs only have a lifespan of about 10 years. So you’ll mostly likely find yourself shopping for a new TV at least once every decade. What gives?

Well, luckily, there are ways to extend the life of your TV to ensure getting your money’s worth.

1. Avoid extreme temperature shifts.

If you’re buying an indoor television and you regularly use your home’s heating and air conditioning system, you don’t have to worry about extreme temperature shifts. But if you prefer not using heat or air conditioning, keep your TV in an area that’s not too hot or too cold, or else you could shorten its lifespan.

The location should be a comfortable temperature with little or no humidity. Also, identify the location of your TV’s vent before mounting or positioning it on a console. Some televisions vent from the back. In this case, don’t put these televisions too close to a wall or they could overheat. Instead, leave about 4 inches between the television and the wall.

2. Watch for dust accumulation.

You can’t eliminate dust completely from your home, so dust regularly to avoid a buildup or accumulation. This is particularly important for extending the life of your television. Make sure you dust around your television set—top, bottom and sides—using an anti-static cloth. Don’t forget to remove dust from the TV vents. Do this about once a week and you’ll keep your TV running smoothly for a long time. If using spray dust remover, use a brand that’s safe for electronics, and don’t saturate the cloth.

3. Use a surge protector for electronics.

Even if you don’t have a lot of electronics connected to a single wall outlet, it’s safer to use a surge protector. This is especially useful if you have a high-quality television set. Surge protectors are inexpensive devices that protect your electronics from sudden power spikes. This is when voltage suddenly increases, and can happen from power outages, power company malfunctions and lightning strikes. With your electronics plugged directly into a wall outlet, a sudden surge of power could damage the electronic to the point of non-repair. A power surge, on the other hand, provides a protective shield, ensuring a safe amount of electricity.

4. Never leave the television on.

It might not come as a surprise, but the life of your television also depends on usage. So the more you use your television, the sooner it will die. There are no hard or fast rules regarding usage, but its life is based on hours. So it’s important to never leave your TV on when you’re not watching it. Don’t sleep with the TV on at night, and turn off the TV before leaving the house. Also, avoid relying on the television for background noise. Turn on the radio instead. Too much usage not only shortens its life, it can also cause overheating and damage your television.

Bottom line: A television is an expensive investment and, naturally, you want to extend its life and get your money’s worth. If your television dies, you might be able to replace some parts and continue to use it, but depending on the cost of the repair and the age of the TV, you might be better off purchasing a new one.