From the Lifehacker Vaults: Storing Batteries in the Freezer to Extend Life
By energy_linguist, April 14, 2010, Gadgets & Technology
Via the Huffington Post and GreenBatteries, DIY blog favorite Lifehacker presents an interesting suggestion on extending the life of your batteries:
Freeze them.
Common store-bought batteries of the NiMH and NiCD variety (more on that below) stored in your freezer can boost battery life by as much as 90% according to the article, which is a fantastic way to kill two birds with one stone. Not only are you reducing battery waste from tossing disposable batteries in the trash more frequently than most of us would like, but you are of course saving money by reducing the cost and frequency of replacement.
Also, alkaline batteries are slightly different in nuts and bolts, and tend to lose their charge at a slower rate than NiCD and NiMH varieties, so it may or may not show significant difference in battery life by storing in the freezer. The article does, however, states that storing at room temperature, especially if you live in a particularly warm climate, will aid in shorter battery life.
Oh, and NiCD (Nickel-Cadmium) and NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) are simply two different types of battery … just in case you were curious.
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