How to Take Care of Your HD TV

Filipinos love all things tech. From the latest smartphones to the newest type of HD television for sale online, Philippine consumers are always excited about the latest products.

When it comes to TVs, in particular, Filipinos are always on the lookout for models that can enhance their viewing experience. The good thing is that there are plenty of options to buy online nowadays: standard LED TVs, smart TVs, 4K ultra HD TVs, and more.

Of course, no matter how affordable TVs have become over the years, it’s a major purchase for most Filipino households. Thus, it’s only practical to take good care of it, ensuring its excellent performance and prolonging its lifespan. Here are some tips to make sure that your HD TV will stay in good shape for years to come:

Take Off Plastic Covers

Filipinos have the habit of keeping the protective plastic packaging of some items. This makes sense, in some cases; for example, keeping the plastic on the remote can prevent its buttons from getting caked with dirt. On your TV, however? Not so much.

Keeping the plastic coverings on your TV screen can get in the way of heat dissipation. Eventually, the excess heat can affect the display panel and shorten its lifespan or even cause irreparable damage. Besides, keeping the plastic sheet will get in the way of the beautiful visuals of your TV.

Aside from the plastic cover, you should also remove any stickers attached to the screen. Usually, these are advertising materials or some highlights of the TV’s features. Take these off so you can see the screen in its entirety. Not removing these stickers can also result in the accumulation of dirt, particularly when the sticker loses the adhesiveness on its backing.

Use a Soft, Dry Cloth to Remove Dust

Any TV—LED or otherwise—needs to be cleaned from time to time to prevent dust from clouding the screen and worming its way into the circuitry. The good thing is that it’s very easy to clean your HD TV using a soft, dry cloth. No need for any cleaning fluids, detergents, or any other chemicals since these can damage the screen and the plastic frame.

If there’s a stubborn smudge like an oily fingerprint, lightly moisten a corner of the cleaning cloth you’re using and rub gently.

Mind the Temperature and Moisture

Extreme temperatures aren’t good for any electronics, TVs included. As such, you need to place your HD TV in a cool, dry place that doesn’t go lower than 10°C or higher than 35 to 40°C. It’s also best if you can put your TV away from direct sunlight, not just to minimize heat exposure but also to prevent screen glare.

In addition, make sure that your TV isn’t in a high-humidity room. Over time, the moisture can get into the insides of your TV and cause corrosion. If it can’t be avoided, invest in a dehumidifier. You can also remove other sources of humidity in the room, such as an aquarium.

Get a Voltage Stabilizer

When electricity fluctuates, your appliances can receive extreme amounts of excess voltage and end up with burned circuits. You definitely don’t want this to happen to your TV; while burned circuits can be repaired, the damage may become permanent if the fluctuations happen often enough.

To prevent this unfortunate incident, invest in a voltage stabilizer or a surge protector. In fact, you should buy one even before you purchase a new TV so you can immediately plug it in and prevent any surges from the start.

Activate the Screensaver

If you’ve decided to purchase an OLED TV, take note that it’s prone to what is called “pixel burn” or image retention. This is a phenomenon in which a portion of the screen darkens due to an image being on display for long hours. A good example here would be TV shows or network logos that stay on the corner of the screen throughout their broadcast. Once the pixels get burned onto the screen, it can become a permanent shadow that can interfere with the display.

Fortunately, it’s easy to prevent pixel burn by switching programs every so often. Most HD TVs nowadays also have screensavers, specifically to address pixel burn, so turn on this feature. Of course, turning off the TV when you’re not watching is always a good idea; it’s also quite friendly to your electricity bill.

Turn It Off

Speaking of turning off your TV, did you know that LED TVs have a set lifespan? The standard is more or less 65,000 hours of viewing. The more you watch—or at least, the longer your TV is running—the shorter your TV’s lifespan will get.

Simply put, if you want your TV to last longer, you should use it responsibly. Limit your viewing hours to let the screen (and your eyes!) rest and, of course, turn the TV off if you aren’t watching.

With these simple steps, you can maximize your TV and keep it in great viewing shape for years!