Tips to protect and extend the life of your TV

Many consumer electronics have become incredibly reliable, especially when compared to devices from years past. But your electronics aren't invincible. According to Asurion claims data, your TV may even be more susceptible to problems during the summer months—more issues are reported on televisions in July than any other month, and June and August follow right behind. But don't worry, there are things you can do to keep your TV working at its best throughout the year. Check out this info from Asurion Experts on what to expect from your TV and how to best protect it.

How long should a TV last?

Modern TVs get dimmer as they get older, measured in how many hours they've been used. But it doesn't happen very fast, even if you watch a lot of TV.

Whether you buy plasma, LCD, LED or a new OLED television, you can likely expect the television to outlast the technology itself. The average lifespan of a TV is 10 years, even if you leave it on all the time. However, if you consider how TV technology has improved in the past 10 years, it's likely that you'll want a new TV before yours truly dies.

Tips for preventing problems & damage to your TV

Use a high-quality surge protection device

Electrical surges are a big problem for TVs and other modern electronics. To be on the safe side, protect your TV by plugging it and your peripherals into a high-quality surge protection device.

While summer thunderstorms and brownouts are common reasons for surges, they're not the only cause. When your refrigerator or dryer starts, these energy hogs can send a surge through the rest of your system. Even if a single small surge doesn't blow out your device, small power surges can add up to real damage over time.

Clean and dust your TV screen regularly

Sounds pretty simple, but is very important. You can use an anti-static cloth and cleaning solution to keep the surface looking sharp—for a complete guide, check out this article on how to clean your TV screen without damaging it.

Keep your TV in a climate-controlled room

Using or storing your TV away from humidity and drastic temperature changes is key for keeping it working at its best. If you're inside a climate-controlled house, you're in great shape. If you have an outdoor TV or don't use your air conditioning, the changes in temperature and moisture will likely shorten your TV's lifespan significantly.