A hot summer workday doesn’t just make you sweat. It can overheat your devices too. Laptops, desktops, and other tech tools are at greater risk of performance issues, hardware damage, and even shutdown when exposed to heat for too long.
For small to mid-sized businesses, preventing device overheating isn’t just a comfort issue. It’s essential for ensuring reliable performance, protecting data, and avoiding costly downtime. Here’s your practical guide to keeping your tech cool and secure this summer, with expert support from SkyViewTek.
1. Keep Devices Out of Direct Sunlight ☀️
Make sure laptops, desktops, and external equipment stay away from sunny windows or other heat-prone areas. Even a few hours of direct sunlight can cause internal temperatures to climb dangerously high.
Why it matters:
Sun exposure accelerates overheating, causes performance slowdowns, and shortens the lifespan of your devices. Heat is a common reason for sudden hardware failures.
Pro tip:
Use blinds or reposition your work setup to ensure your workstation stays shaded throughout the day.
2. Use Cooling Pads or Stands 🌬️
Support airflow by placing laptops on cooling pads or adjustable stands designed to increase ventilation. For desktops, ensure there’s enough space for air to circulate beneath and behind the tower or monitor.
Why it matters:
Efficient airflow helps your device’s internal fans do their job—keeping internal components at safe operating temperatures.
Pro tip:
Choose USB-powered cooling pads with built-in fans for laptops used in high-performance environments.
3. Never Block the Vents 🛑
Don’t stack paper, boxes, or personal items near ventilation areas, especially around fans and power supplies. On laptops, placing them on soft surfaces like couches or beds may silently block airflow and trap heat.
Why it matters:
Blocked vents prevent heat from escaping, causing internal temperatures to rise quickly, leading to performance issues and possible component damage.
Pro tip:
Do a weekly desk check: clear clutter around all intake and exhaust areas on devices. SkyViewTek’s managed IT services include proactive support to keep your systems efficient and running cool—no guesswork needed.
4. Give Devices a Breather 🖥️
If you’re running hardware-intensive software (like video editing tools, large spreadsheets, or cloud backups), schedule automated breaks to let your devices idle. Even short pauses can prevent thermal buildup during busy days.
Why it matters:
Running processors nonstop under heavy load increases the risk of thermal throttling and unexpected shutdowns.
Pro tip:
Use scheduling tools or batch heavy workloads earlier in the morning, when ambient temperatures are cooler.
5. Monitor Temperatures with Free Tools 🌡️
Use system-monitoring software to keep an eye on internal temperatures, fan speeds, and CPU/GPU loads. Popular free tools are available for both Windows and macOS.
Why it matters:
Monitoring provides early warnings of overheating or fan failure—so you can act before it turns into a crisis.
Pro tip:
Encourage your team to install basic monitoring tools like HWMonitor (Windows) or TG Pro (Mac) across devices running in high-use roles.
Bonus Habit: Make Summer Device Wellness a Team Priority 💼
Encourage your staff or coworkers to follow these best practices as part of your summer tech care routine. Simple habits, shared across your team, can lead to longer device lifespans, greater productivity, and fewer emergencies.
Ready to optimize your tech this season?
Let SkyViewTek help you protect your devices, minimize outages, and maximize performance with tailored IT support and cybersecurity services.
📞 Call 610-590-5006 or contact us today to keep your business running smoothly—even in the summer heat.