This article will show you how to keep Ring Doorbell warm, so let’s get to it!
Cold weather influences your Ring Doorbell’s performance and battery life. You want to keep it warm and functional in winter so you don’t miss any important notifications or events.
To keep your Ring doorbell warm, choose the right location and consistently monitor your device’s health. Additionally, make sure you check and clean for snow buildup to keep it warm.
Let’s discuss other ways to maintain your Ring Doorbell’s functionality in cold weather!
How to Keep Ring Doorbell Warm – How to Keep it Working
Knowing how to keep Ring Doorbell from freezing maintains its functionality and keeps your home secure and connected.
Before we enumerate the steps, let’s elaborate on the importance of keeping your Ring Doorbell warm.
Importance of Keeping Your Ring Doorbell Warm
Cold weather conditions often result in missed package deliveries, security breaches, and missed visitors.
By keeping your Ring Doorbell warm, you avoid these problems and ensure your device works properly and is reliable during winter.
Other problems caused by cold temperatures:
- Reduced battery life
- Damaged internal components
- Poor video quality
Let’s keep your doorbell warm and cozy to remain operational and effective even during the coldest months of the year.
Methods to Keep Your Doorbell Warm
There are several methods to keep your Ring Doorbell from freezing. Some are simple and easy, while others require extra tools and accessories. We’ll explain each of them below and provide tips and notes for the best results.
#1: Choose the Right Location
Ideally, you want to mount your Ring Doorbell on a wall facing either south or west. These orientations get more sunlight and warmth during the day.
Walls facing north or east get less sunlight and are more susceptible to cold winds.
- Choose a sheltered location to avoid direct sunlight, wind, rain, and snow exposure.
- Ensure ample clearance around the doorbell for proper air circulation.
- Mount your doorbell at least 48 inches above the ground to protect against flooding.
- Place your doorbell away from vents or heat sources.
- Install it away from metal objects like pipes and gutters, as they conduct cold.
- Position your doorbell near wood or brick surfaces, as they retain heat.
Pro Tip: If you live in an area with harsh winters, consider using protective covers or heat tape to prevent freezing and maintain your doorbell’s functionality.
#2: Use Protective Covers Like a Silicon Skin
Protective covers are designed to protect your Ring Doorbell from scratches, bumps, and other forms of damage.
One excellent example is silicon skin, which fits perfectly over your device and provides a comfortable grip.
Here’s how to install a silicon skin cover on your Ring Doorbell:
- Remove the existing faceplate.
- Clean the doorbell using a soft cloth.
- Align the silicon skin cover with the doorbell.
- Insert the silicon skin cover onto the doorbell.
- Tighten the security screw.
- Test your Ring Doorbell to make sure it is working properly.
Pro Tip: Ensure the silicon skin is the right size for your doorbell. If it’s too small, it will interfere with your device’s sensors. If it’s too big, it will come off easily.
#3: Use a Heat Tape
A heat tape is a special type of electrical tape that generates heat when plugged into a power source. Wrap it around your Ring Doorbell or its wires to provide constant warmth to your device.
Here’s how to use a heat tape on your Ring Doorbell:
- Choose the right heat tape for your Ring device.
- Measure the circumference of the doorbell to determine how much you need.
- Cut the heat tape to size, leaving an extra length to wrap around the doorbell.
- Secure the heat tape in place.
- Strip the insulation off the ends of the heat type to expose the conductive wires.
- Connect the heat tape to a power source.
- Wrap it around your doorbell, ensuring it is evenly spaced.
- Use electrical tape or zip ties to secure the heat tape in place.
Pro Tip: Ensure the heat tape doesn’t touch other electrical wires to prevent a short circuit.
#4: Change Your Doorbell Settings
Changing your Ring Doorbell’s settings helps optimize your device’s performance and functionality in winter.
It also saves battery life, minimizes false alerts, and ensures you only receive notifications for significant events.
To change your doorbell settings in the Ring app, follow these steps:
- Open the Ring app.
- Tap on Devices and select your doorbell from the list of devices.
- Tap on the Settings tab.
- Scroll down and tap Motion Settings.
- Go to Motion Detection.
- Tap Advanced.
- Toggle the switch on Reduce Motion Detection During Cold Weather.
Note: Modify the Night Vision and Video Recording settings on your Ring Doorbell to keep it warm and maintain its optimal performance.
Pro Tip: Regularly update your Ring Doorbell’s firmware to fix any bugs causing it to overheat.
#5: Checking and Cleaning For Ice or Snow Buildup
Ice or snow buildup lowers the temperature of your Ring device, affecting its performance and battery life.
It also obstructs the view of your camera and reduces video quality, so ensure you check and clean your doorbell regularly during winter.
- Turn off your Ring Doorbell.
- Gently remove the ice or snow using a soft cloth or brush.
- Use a hair dryer on the lowest setting if the ice or snow is frozen.
- Repeat these steps to remove the ice or snow completely.
- Once the snow is removed, turn on your doorbell.
Note: If you have a battery-powered Ring Doorbell, check the battery and replace it if it has been frozen.
#6: Use a Power Adapter for Constant Charging
A power adapter connects your Ring Doorbell to an electrical outlet and provides a steady power flow to your device.
It’s usually inexpensive and easy to install, making it an excellent way to keep your device warm.
- Purchase a Ring Plug-in Adapter (2nd Generation).
- Plug the adapter into an outlet near your device.
- Use the included cable to connect the adapter to your doorbell.
- Your adapter will now power your doorbell.
Note: The Ring Plug-in (2nd Generation) is only compatible with battery-powered Ring Doorbells.
#7: Mount in a Sheltered Location
Mounting your Ring Doorbell in a sheltered location protects it from rain, snow, wind, and direct sunlight. For instance, install it under a porch, an awning, a roof, or a tree.
The places will help keep your device warm by:
- Blocking the cold air or wind and rain or snow
- Reflecting some of the heat from the surrounding environment to raise its temperature
- Shading your device from direct sunlight to prevent it from overheating
To mount your Ring Doorbell in a sheltered location, make sure that:
- The area is within the range of your WiFi network
- The site does not obstruct the view of the camera or sound of the speaker or mic
- The area does not interfere with the night vision or motion detection of the device
- The place is easy to access and maintain
#8: Consistently Monitoring Your Device Health
Your device’s health has a set of indicators that show how well your Ring Doorbell is performing.
Consistently check it using the Ring app on your smartphone or tablet to detect any issues or problems with your device and fix them before they affect its performance and functionality.
Here are the indicators you should monitor:
- Battery level
- Signal strength
- Firmware version
Keeping a vigilant eye on these metrics will help maintain the reliability and effectiveness of your Ring Doorbell.
Tips for Maintaining Clear Visibility and Functionality in Winter
In addition to keeping it warm, you must ensure your Ring device captures and transmits high-quality video and audio.
Here are some tips to help you achieve this:
- Adjust motion sensitivity to account for temperature-related motion detection.
- Regularly clean the lens to prevent buildup from affecting video quality.
- Provide sufficient ambient light for better vision.
- Check for obstructions for improved coverage.
- Test the speaker and microphone to ensure clear communication.
- Keep your device up to date.
Quick Recap
We have shown you how to keep Ring Doorbell warm using various methods. The easiest involves choosing the right location and using a protective cover or heat tape. You should also regularly check and clean for ice or snow buildup.
By following these methods, you’ll winter-proof your Ring Doorbell and enjoy its benefits all year round.
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Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.