—and What You Must Do Now

Summer’s rising temperatures and soaring humidity aren’t just uncomfortable—they can severely damage your business technology. If your printers, computers, network switches, or storage devices run in spaces above
85°F or in humidity over 80% RH, you risk unexpected failures, shortened lifespans, and costly downtime. Read on to learn why this matters and how to protect your critical equipment.

Safe Operating Ranges

Most business-grade IT gear is designed for:

• Temperature: 50°F – 85°F
• Humidity: 20% – 80% RH (non-condensing)

Exceeding these thresholds—even briefly—introduces risk: heat buildup can fry components, while moisture invites corrosion and electrical shorts.

What’s at Risk?

• Network Switches: Sustained heat can degrade performance, cause packet loss, or lead to permanent failure.
• Workstation Computers: Processors throttle down to avoid overheating—resulting in sluggish performance—and may crash under extreme conditions.
• Printers & Scanners: High humidity leads to paper jams, ink clumping, and sensor malfunctions.
• Storage Devices (HDD/SSD): Thermal cycling and moisture intrusion reduce drive lifespan and increase risk of data loss.

Real-World Impact

Last summer, we saw a client lose two network switches during a week of unrelenting 95°F days. The cost of emergency replacements and the half-day downtime far exceeded the investment in simple cooling measures. Don’t let your business be next.

Immediate Action Steps

1. Measure & Monitor: Install a digital thermometer/hygrometer near critical gear. Check readings daily.
2. Improve Airflow: Add clip-on or rack-mount fans to circulate cooler air around devices.
3. Relocate Sensitive Equipment: Move switches or printers out of lofts or sun-exposed areas whenever possible.
4. Use Temporary Cooling: In unconditioned spaces, portable evaporative coolers or window fans can lower ambient temps by 5–10°F.
5. Schedule a Professional Checkup: We’ll identify hot spots, test component health, and recommend permanent solutions.

Don’t wait for equipment to fail under the next heat wave. Taking these simple steps now can safeguard your technology, avoid emergency repairs, and keep your business running smoothly through the hottest months.