Staying power
Many electronics can require a considerable amount of wattage to stay powered on and perform at their best, such as powerful home theater receivers and amplifiers.
Without proper ventilation, these components can produce high temperatures that can cause harm to electronics and damage the cabinet that houses them.
Most electronics rely on the natural motion of air in the room around them to dissipate heat build-up. But for systems enclosed in a non-ventilated media cabinet or stacked on top of each other, the lack of any natural air circulation will generate pockets of hot air around the components. When this occurs, the temperature will keep rising if not ventilated, resulting in expensive damage over time.
Electronics begin to break down and fry at temperatures above 120 degrees. Most systems tend to run 10 to 20 degrees hotter than room temperature, so anything you can do to reduce the build-up of heat will help to protect your investment better. However, the hotter the temperature, the less functional the machine will become.
The following techniques will help reduce heat, increase ventilation and ensure that your components remain cool and run smoothly.