As temperatures rise, it’s not just people who start to feel the heat — your IT hardware does too. Computers, servers, and other electronics are sensitive to extreme temperatures, and a heatwave can spell disaster if precautions aren’t taken.
Whether you’re working from a home office or managing tech for a small business, here’s how to keep your devices cool and running smoothly when things heat up.
1. Keep it clean and dust-free
Dust acts as insulation and traps heat. Over time, it builds up in fans and vents, blocking airflow and increasing the internal temperature of your hardware.
💡 Smart Tip:
Regularly clean vents and fans using compressed air. Avoid using a vacuum directly on the hardware, as it can cause static damage.
2. Maintain proper airflow
Ensure that all devices have adequate ventilation. That means no stuffing laptops into drawers, stacking hard drives, or placing routers in enclosed cabinets.
💡 Smart Tip:
Leave several inches of space around desktops and network devices. Position them in a way that lets hot air escape freely.
3. Use cooling pads or external fans
For laptops or hot-running desktops, cooling pads or USB-powered fans can make a noticeable difference in temperature.
💡 Smart Tip:
Use a cooling pad when gaming, rendering video, or doing anything processor-intensive during hot weather.
4. Avoid direct sunlight
It seems obvious, but many setups still end up catching the afternoon sun through a window.
💡 Smart Tip:
Rearrange desks or use blinds to prevent direct sunlight from baking your devices.
5. Check your server room
If you manage a small business with a server cabinet or room, ensure it’s properly cooled and monitored.
💡 Smart Tip:
Install a temperature monitor in your server room or cabinet. If you don’t have proper air conditioning, consider moving critical hardware to a cloud service during summer months.
6. Back up, just in case
Overheating can lead to hardware failure. Summer is a good time to revisit your backup strategy.
💡 Smart Tip:
Use a combination of local and cloud backups and test your recovery process before you need it.
7. Use power protection
High temperatures often lead to summer storms and electrical surges.
💡 Smart Tip:
Use surge protectors or an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for critical devices.
8. Monitor system temperatures
Use software tools to monitor your system’s internal temperatures. Most operating systems or third-party utilities offer this feature.
💡 Smart Tip:
Set up alerts so you know if something’s overheating before it shuts down unexpectedly.
Need a hand? Smart Computers can help
If your IT systems are feeling the heat, we’re here to help — remotely or onsite. Whether it’s emergency support or proactive maintenance, our expert team can get you back up and running quickly and safely.
🔧 Remote IT Support
🛠️ Onsite IT Support
Stay cool – and keep your tech cooler
Looking after your IT hardware during hot weather isn’t just good practice—it’s essential to keep your business or home office running smoothly. With the right care (and a little help from Smart Computers), you can beat the heat and avoid costly downtime.
At Smart Computers, we offer a wide range of IT services to help businesses and individuals stay connected and secure. Whether you need computer and laptop rentals, expert IT support, or solutions like Smart Protect for antivirus and data backup, we’ve got you covered. We also provide Smart Cloud services including website hosting and Office 365. Learn more about our IT support and Smart Cloud services.
