Are Rechargeable Batteries Worth It?
Just like electricity, batteries power a lot of things in our lives. From cell phones and cars to laptops, smoke alarms, remote controls, and torches, the humble battery is indispensable. With billions of batteries ending up in the trash yearly, it’s worth wondering whether rechargeable batteries are worth their extra cost and whether they are really making a difference to the environment. Yes, they are! Having said that, rechargeable and disposal batteries both have their place. Here’s why.
Rechargeable vs Disposable Batteries
At home and work, you probably use a range of different cell types from small AA and AAA batteries for television and air conditioner remotes to C and D batteries for flashlights or portable boomboxes. Depending on the device they are used in, disposable batteries can last from a few weeks to six months. Rechargeable batteries, on the other hand, can last around four to five years.
Since standard batteries run out faster, they need to be replaced more often which can become costly. In addition, they create a lot more waste (both the battery and its packaging) which is not good for the environment.
Rechargeable batteries last a lot longer, but you will need to purchase a charger for the specific size of battery you are using. This can be a pricey outlay. The good thing is that the charger is a once-off purchase and the waste produced is a whole lot less.
When to Use Rechargeable Batteries
When using gadgets that require frequent battery replacement (every 30 to 60 days), going for a rechargeable type is ideal. Being able to recharge the same AAA battery multiple times will save you a lot of money and waste. Since you will be using the charger often, it is well worth the extra investment.
Cost-effective devices to power with rechargeable batteries are cameras, wireless gaming controllers and kids’ toys.
When to Use Disposable Batteries
Using rechargeable batteries is a great way to reduce waste, but it is not always the most effective option. Items like wall clocks, smoke detectors, radios, and wireless keyboards use very low currents of electricity. This means that even disposable batteries can last an incredibly long time.
Buying a set of eight AA or AAA batteries to power your wireless mouse and keyboard could keep both devices running for 18 months. This is not a bad deal considering that purchasing a rechargeable pack of batteries plus a good quality charger will cost you six to seven times as much.
Getting your money’s worth out of the rechargeable option will take you almost 10 years which likely won’t be worth it. There’s also the electricity used for the charger and the fact that the batteries won’t effectively hold a charge after that many years.
In this case, disposable batteries will serve you well.
Recharging Tips
It is worth spending money on a good quality charger if you are going to be using rechargeable batteries often. They should be able to hold between 500 and 800 charge cycles. To get the most out of your rechargeable batteries, always remove them from the charger as soon as they are fully charged. Alternatively, get a charger that switches off automatically when charging is complete.
Regardless of the battery type you choose, always dispose of them responsibly.
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