Is it safe to use an Indoor TV Outside ?

Getting Started

In the past few years, more and more people started to expand their patio area and try out new ways to relax there. In fact, they realized this is a great place for parties and just having fun as a whole. That being said, figuring out whether you can use an indoor TV outside or not can be a bit tricky, as there are some rules related to that, and you have to figure out what works for you and what doesn’t.

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With that in mind, there are some aspects you need to consider.

One of them is the fact that you might want to use regular TV outdoors. Having a flat-screen TV outside sounds ok. That’s especially true during the summer. The problem is that weather can change randomly, it can start raining and so on. And when that happens, you will have some issues to deal with.

The main problem at that time is the fact that humidity and sun exposure are things that will destroy the overall appearance and power of your TV as it stays outdoors.

Yes, it might work once or twice, but if you constantly keep it outdoors without any proper protection, then there will be issues and that’s something you really need to address as fast as possible.

What we think about using regular TV outside is that it’s easier if you make sure that the TV is protected. Figuring out what weatherproof protection you will bring there is a very good idea.

It’s the weather that can mess up things, so handling all of that the right way is exactly what you need to consider. It’s definitely important because when you don’t think about that there will be issues and that’s something to consider.

Check these issues before you install outdoor TV

Can temperature changes damage the indoor TV if you put it outside?

Normally the indoor TV is set to function between 40-100 degrees F. As soon as you expose it to temperatures that are either higher or lower, then that will become a problem. Not only the components will be damaged, but brightness control and even the screen itself will have to suffer at times. You should always read the manual and see the usage temperatures just to be safe.

You will notice that there are some very specific requirements in this regard, otherwise the TV will have severe damage and that’s definitely the type of thing you have to avoid all the time.

Should you use the regular TV outside during the summer? Yes, as long as the temperature is within the limits we already shown. If the temperature gets out of control and it’s too low or too high, you must bring the TV inside.

Granted, this is a challenge for most of us because it requires moving the item all the time and that alone can be incredibly tricky to be honest. And if you do this right, the payoff will be quite great every time.

Debris

What we noticed is that most of the time debris appears out of nowhere and it can easily end up bringing in problems. Debris is hard to handle and if you really want to do this properly, you want a TV that doesn’t have lots of holes or places where the debris can enter.

Obviously, that will be very hard. And it’s one of the reasons why people should not use their indoor TV outdoors. Yes, it makes sense but as soon as you see lots of dust, dirt and grime on your stuff, then it will end up being a major problem. As long as you know what you are getting into and what you can expect, the payoff will be astonishing and you will be very happy with the results in the end.
Another thing that you might not consider is the fact that debris, grass clippings, dirt and so on are things that put the unit at risk. Internal components need a very specific temperature and a lack of debris to work properly.

As soon as you have debris accumulations on electrical items or electronics, they will generate heat. Which is why the TV motherboard can overheat for example. This is not going to be a major issue right from the start but it will become one very soon if you don’t take care of it the right way, so consider that and you will be fine.

Sun damage

Exposing your TV to the Sun might not seem that much at first. But the problem is that things get worse the more you expose it. So if we’re talking about constant exposure, then things will become very problematic. And that’s why constant attention and focus are crucial here. If you don’t have those, then there will be issues and that’s obviously something to avoid.

The indoor TV needs an Outdoor TV Cover in order to obtain the best protection, otherwise you will damage it.

Constant sun damage will definitely make the overall image quality lower than expected as time goes by. It can also damage the TV’s plastic and many other things. But if you pay attention to it and use a cover then you will find it easier to protect it and that will help quite a lot.

Humidity

Humidity is one of those things that will also end up damaging your television beyond repair if you bring it outside. Ideally, you want the outdoor TV to be water-resistant. Or at least you need to have some sort of waterproof protection. Otherwise, you will end up having issues if you’re not careful and put your TV in a humid location.

Some TVs have protection against that, but many of them do not. And if that happens, then you will end up with trouble and you need to find some ways to handle the situation in a professional manner no matter the situation.

What humidity levels do you need to pursue? Again, this will depend on what TV you own at this time. If the humidity is over 80%, then you will have moisture collecting on the TV components. On the other hand, if you have low humidity levels, the colors are washed out and dark. So you really need to find a middleground with all of this, something that might actually work if you pay attention to how you can handle and use it correctly. It’s all a matter of perspective and carefulness most of the time, if we do it right of course!

So you have to pay a lot of attention to requirements, and if you do it properly, it will be very well worth the effort. Of course, it can become stressful and demanding at times, but you will have a great experience either way as long as you are willing to commit to it and make it work.

Dew

When you take your TV outside you also have to think about dew. This forms on the inside of your indoor TV when you keep it outside. That appears when the temperatures shift too much. If now it’s too hot and earlier it was too cold, then these temperature problems will cause quite the challenge and struggle. It’s not going to be the simplest thing to deal with, true, but in the end that’s the type of thing that you need to consider and handle, otherwise, it becomes a problem and you have to manage it!

Mold Threat 

When you decide to install your indoor TV outdoors, there is a huge risk involved that you should be aware of. When the TV is exposed to the elemental forces for a long period of time, it may become prone to mold, mildew, and other kinds of buildups. The risk is especially high when the weather is sultry, and there is a lot of humidity in the air. 

You should always be on the lookout to ensure that condensation cannot reach the crucial components of your TV set. If the situation goes unchecked, your expensive TV will soon become heavily damaged, as mold and other harmful buildups can have a negative impact on your LED, LCD, or plasma TV. 

To keep the system well-protected from such threats, you can choose to stick to the indoors, when it comes to TV installation. And if you really have to take it out into the open, don’t forget to invest in protective gears for the TV.

Bug Attack 

The outside environment contains a lot of factors that are simply beyond your control. When your TV is installed at the patio or any other area exposed to nature, it will inevitably invite a host of bugs and pests. Spiders love crawling around items, and in no time, your TV, the mount, and the attached wires can become home to a disturbing amount of spider webs. The same goes with moth’s cocoons disrupting your expensive investment. When you decide to bring your indoor TV out under the open air, these bugs will get the best of it, and the damage they cause in the long term is seldom reparable.  Hence, if your TV is specifically meant to be installed indoors, don’t ignore the manufacturer’s instructions. Indoor models do not come with additional weather protection, making it difficult for the model to cope with the environment, outside the safety of your room. And in case you cannot resist the temptation of an outdoor TV-viewing experience, you may have to take some serious precautions beforehand, to ensure safety.

Preserving the TV Warranty

Your TV comes with a warranty for a certain period of time. Within that stipulated time frame, if the model incurs any damage, the company will take care of it. However, the warranty comes with certain terms and conditions. To be able to avail the perks, you have to ensure that you haven’t treated the TV poorly. In case you place the TV outdoors without proper protection, your warranty will stand annulled. As a result, the company won’t take any responsibility for the issues plaguing your TV, and you have to bear the entire cost of repairing it by yourself. And we are quite sure you wouldn’t want to take such a huge burden.  The longevity of your TV can become severely threatened when you try to install an indoor TV at an outdoor location. Besides that, if you have strict rules and regulations at the residential building that you stay in, you will be penalized if an accident occurs because of the TV.

How can I protect my TV from outside?

Based on our experience, we believe that a regular TV is not going to last for a long time outside. And that’s because you will put it face to face with a variety of elements. And while those might sound ok at first, they can end up being very problematic. To the point where you don’t really know what to do and how to manage such a situation.

But you can use an outdoor TV cover. A good cover store should have covers for the indoor TV or outdoor TV. Usually TV covers are the ones that will help extend the life of your unit without having to worry too much. Yes, an outdoor cover is very dependable and not super expensive either. So it actually makes a lot of sense to buy such a cover if you can. It’s not going to break the bank and the best part is that it pushes things to the next level and it enhances your capabilities naturally. Just make sure that you always focus on picking the right cover.

Also, it’s a good idea to hang the TV under the covered patio if you want to use an outdoor cover. You also have to keep in mind that the indoor TV has to stay at the most powerful brightness and that can be an issue for the most part. It’s not ok to force brightness in situations like these, and you will see that most of the time. Which is why handling the entire process correctly is the most important aspect to consider in a situation like this.

Try to place it properly

The problem that most people tend to have is their indoor TV can be hard to place outside. The reason behind that is it’s mostly related to location. Picking the right location and adapting to all of that is not going to be very easy. But with the right approach and a good set of ideas the payoff will be second to none, so try to consider all of that and the results will be really good. Adaptability is key when it comes to regular TV’s, so having a stand or a way to put it on the wall will help you a lot.

As we mentioned earlier you need to measure your television and choose a good outdoor TV cover to use with it. While it will take a little bit to find the right option, the experience will be really good and that’s exactly what you need to think about with all this kind of stuff.

Is it safe to keep your indoor TV outside?

Normally it’s a much better idea to try and buy an outdoor TV. The regular TV is not designed to withstand the elements, and that can be a problem. Dust, dirt, grime and sun exposure are very problematic for the indoor TV. This is not an UV resistant or water resistant unit. But it doesn’t have to be either. If you buy a cover for it, then you can easily protect the TV and keep it outdoors.

Why would you do that? The primary reason is obviously the overall cost. A regular TV is way less expensive when compared to an outdoor TV. Yes, outdoor TVs and more specifically the larger resolution ones will require thousands upon thousands of dollars as an investment. In this case, you don’t have to worry about that. It’s way less expensive, which means the ROI is so much better. And that really matters, especially if you have a lower budget, but still expect the best value.

The Bottom Line

If you can’t afford getting an outdoor TV you can use the indoor TV outside. But at that point it’s mandatory to buy a good and reliable TV cover. Once you do that, the cover will protect your TV and that will be really helpful. There won’t be any more sun damage, dust or dirt accumulation and so on. Don’t hesitate and invest in the best TV cover you can find, then you can hang your TV outside and put a cover on it when you’re not using the unit!