Is Storing Lithium-ion Batteries in a Garage Safe?

Should you store lithium-ion batteries in the garage? Lithium-ion batteries are a great technology, but they do require some care. In this guide, we’ll talk about when how to store lithium-ion batteries to ensure the longest and safest lifespan. 

If the environment is controlled, it is usually safe to store lithium-ion batteries in the garage. However, if the garage has a tendency to get really cold in the winter, or really hot in the summer, then you should consider storing the batteries in a different room or in a temperature-controlled area. 

Let’s talk more about the nature of lithium-battery, and how to care for them properly. 

Where Should You Store a Lithium-ion Battery? 

Let’s look at several different locations and talk about whether they are a good option for lithium-ion batteries or not. We’ll start by talking about the garage, then we’ll talk about different areas. 

Places to store the lithium-ion battery: 

• In the garage (detached, connected, temperature controlled)
• In a shed 
• In a closet 
• In a basement 

Now, we’ll go into these storage areas in more detail. We’ll talk more about how to maintain batteries later on. 

Storing Lithium-ion Batteries in the Garage: Risks and Benefits 

The garage is probably the most common place to store any type of power tool battery, including lithium-ion batteries. If you’ve purchased anything with a battery recently, especially a power tool, then you’ve likely encountered these new batteries. 

They are an awesome technology, but they also require some specific care – and the garage may not always be the best place for them. 

While many people will store their Lithium-ion batteries in the garage, there are a few reasons or risk factors, that make this someone dangerous. Let’s talk about them. 

Detached Garages and Lithium-ion battery Storage 

If you have a detached garage, then it might not be a great idea to store your lithium-ion batteries there, especially if you live in a cold climate. Why? 

Well, most detached garages are neither heated nor cooled. This means that, in the winter months, your batteries will likely be exposed to freezing temperatures, and this can be very damaging to the batteries. 

Also, if temperatures rise above 50 degrees Celsius, this can also be a problem for some lithium-ion batteries. So, in general, unless you’re very careful, a detached garage isn’t the best place for lithium-ion batteries. 

What about an attached garage? 

Storing Lithium-Ion Batteries in an Attached Garage 

An attached garage is a better option for storing lithium-ion batteries. However, there are still a few things you need to keep in mind. 

First, not all attached garages are created equal. Some have insulated garage doors, and some don’t. This means that many attached garages still become very cold in the wintertime, and very hot in the summer – not ideal for battery storage. 

So, should you store your batteries in an attached garage that isn’t temperature controlled? If you feel this is your only option, here are some things to think about. 

First, do your best to insulate the garage. This is cheaper than building a heating or cooling system, and it might be enough to protect your batteries.  

Second, try to store the batteries on a wall that is connected to the house – this will at least provide some passive heating and cooling that will help prevent the batteries from freezing. Avoid storing them next to an uninsulated door, or near any windows. 

But what about if your garage is temperature controlled? 

Can You Store Lithium-ion batteries in a Temperature Controlled Garage? 

If your garage is fully temperature controlled, then you can store your batteries there with no worries. However, there are a few things to keep in mind here. 

First, is the garage both controlled for summer and winter? Perhaps you have some heat source for the garage in the winter, and this is a good thing, but if you don’t have any way to cool the garage in the summer, then the batteries could still be potentially damaged. 

So, in short, if the garage, connected or not, is temperature controlled, then you don’t need to worry about your batteries. However, if the garage is only controlled for one season, then think about moving your batteries around during the uncontrolled season. 

Now let’s talk about some other storage scenarios. 

Should You Store Lithium-ion Batteries in a Shed? 

In general, sheds are bad places for any type of battery, lithium-ion batteries included. Why? 

First, sheds tend to be humid and damp, and this can be a problem for any sort of power tool or battery. 

Second, shed are almost never temperature controlled, and this can have detrimental effects on lithium-ion batteries, as we’ve already mentioned. 

I would only store a battery in a shed under a few circumstances. First, if you live in a very mild environment, where you know it won’t be too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter. 

Second, if the shed is dry, and well build. As anyone knows, there are sheds and then there are sheds – if you’re shed isn’t waterproof and sturdy, shy away from placing any powered tool in there. 

Is a Closet a Good Place for Lithium-Ion Batteries? 

In general, a closet within your home is a good place for lithium-ion batteries. You want to ensure that the closet is safe from pets or children and that there is no chance that any sort of moisture can affect the batteries. 

Make sure there is no food or water than could spill on the batteries. As long as all this is good, then the closet may be the best place for battery storage, particularly in the wintertime. 

Let’s talk about another place you might think about storing batteries in your home. 

Can You Store Lithium-ion Batteries in a Basement? 

Many people wonder if it’s okay to store their batteries in a basement. And, in general, the basement is a fine place to store batteries. But there are a few nuances to this that you should keep in mind. 

First, if the basement isn’t finished, as in it still has exposed dirt and it’s a damp basement, then you should probably find somewhere dry to store your batteries. 

Also, keep in mind that some basements frequently flood – as you could imagine, it’s never could for your lithium-ion batteries to become flooded with water. 

If the basement is clean and dry and finished, then it should be a fine place to store your batteries. 

How to Care for Lithium-Ion batteries? 

Now that you know where to store lithium-ion batteries, let’s talk about some ways to care for them. 

Now’s a good time to mention something boring: owner’s manuals. If you can stomach it, you should try to read them any time you buy something that has a lithium-ion battery. These guides will have information that is specific to your battery, and they will also have warranty information. 

If you care for the battery correctly, it may qualify for the warranty if something goes wrong. However, if you do something that voids the warranty (even accidentally), then you could be out of luck if something goes wrong.  

With that said, here are several things to keep in mind to protect your lithium-ion battery: 

• Charge the battery properly 

• Avoid Storing the battery in the power tool 

• Consider fully using the battery before charging

Let’s go over these things in more depth. 

How to Properly Charge a Lithium-Ion Battery 

Read the owner’s manual when it comes to charging your lithium-ion battery. But in general, you should remove the battery once it’s done charging, and you should never use a different charger. 

Should You Store Batteries in the Power Tool? 

In general, you should avoid storing the batteries in the power tool while they are not in use. This may vary for different models, so check your owner’s manual. Also, you don’t want to accidentally lose your battery! 

Now let’s talk about whether you should fully use your battery or not. 

Do You Need to Fully Use the Battery? 

Some lithium-ion batteries may require you to leave them on the charger to charge fully before removing them. Other batteries should be fully discharged before your recharge them – this has to do with the battery’s memory, as it’s called. 

Some chargers, known as smart chargers, will automatically optimize the charging cycle – ensure you have the right kind of charger and that you figure out what your lithium-ion batteries need. 

Now, let’s go over our last thoughts on how to protect and store lithium-ion batteries. 

Last Thoughts on Where to Store Lithium-Ion Batteries 

Lithium-ion batteries are solid parts of any tool or gadget, but they need to be stored in the right area. In general, you can store lithium-ion batteries in the garage if the garage is dry and temperature controlled. 

In general, you should be careful about storing your lithium-ion batteries in a shed, even if you live in a temperate environment. If the shed is not controlled, the cool weather in the evening can reduce the battery’s lifespan. 

The main thing is this: store lithium-ion batteries in a temperature-controlled environment that meets manufacturers’ specifications. Avoid extremes of temperature, and you should be alright.