Duracell batteries come with an expiration date depending on the origins of the batteries. Although, you will find people claiming otherwise. They may use terms like ‘Use Before’ date, and ‘Manufacture date’ instead of ‘Expiration Date.’
Manufacture date matters because the manufacture date can tell you the battery’s lifespan. Batteries start discharging and degrading from the moment they leave the factory. Therefore, if you bought your batteries five years after they were manufactured, those five years should factor into your calculations. Don’t assume the battery starts at zero when you buy it.
The National Renewal Energy Laboratory (Transportation And Mobility Research) has developed tools that use thermal, mechanical, and electrochemical degradation modes to estimate the battery’s lifespan, proving that predicting a battery’s life expectancy is easier said than done.
Battery Shelf Life And Why Batteries, Including Duracell, Have Expiration Dates
People use terms like ‘Shelf Life’ and ‘Expiration Date’ interchangeably. While the words are related, they don’t mean the same things:
- The expiration date doesn’t refer to the death of a battery. When a battery crosses its expiration date, the manufacturer can no longer guarantee optimal performance. It no longer has a full charge. You may notice that it takes longer to charge, yet it discharges quicker than usual.
- The shelf life tells you how long a battery will retain its charge when you don’t use it. This matters to people that keep batteries in storage for long periods.
How Battery Chemistry Affects Their Lifespan?
Different battery types tend to manifest varied discharge rates and shelf lives, for instance:
- Alkaline batteries – Shelf life of five to ten years.
- Carbon Zinc – Shelf life of three to five years.
- Lithium – Shelf life of ten to twelve years.
- Nickel Cadmium (Rechargeable) – Shelf Life of 18 to 36 months.
- Nickel Metal Hydride (Rechargeable) – Shelf life of three to five years.
- Lithium (Rechargeable) – Shelf life of two to three years.
- Lead Acid (Rechargeable) – Shelf life of six months to three years.
How To Interpret And Read The Expiration Date On Duracell Batteries’ Packaging?
Most of them use a straightforward format that starts with the month followed by the year. For example, Mar 2009.
Common Date Formats Used On Duracell Battery Packaging
Most manufacturers show a month and year. Then again, you may find batteries that show the date, month, and year (MM/DD/Y) using numerical figures. For instance, ‘09016’ is ‘September 1st, 2006.’
The first two digits are the month, while the next two digits point to a specific date. The final number is the year. Fortunately, Duracell’s expiration dates are much easier to interpret.
Why Does The Expiration Date Matter?
Duracell makes several promises about its products regarding their durability, longevity, reliability, and safety. But those promises are only valid in the months and years before the battery expires. Once the battery crosses the expiration date, you can’t trust it to perform optimally.
This is why the expiration date matters. It tells you when a battery’s performance will deteriorate, allowing you to secure a replacement before your appliance fails.
Risks And Consequences Of Using Expired Duracell Batteries
- The battery will lose its charge faster than usual.
- The battery will charge slowly.
- The battery may refuse to charge.
- The battery may refuse to hold its charge.
- Nao Medical expects expired Duracell batteries to leak, causing sores, blisters, and burns.
- Expired batteries are more likely to explode, catch fire, or release harmful gases when exposed to extreme conditions.
How An Expired Duracell Battery May Affect The Performance Of Devices?
An expired battery’s performance dropped by 70 percent. Once that happens, the performance of the device will also suffer. Some devices will refuse to start.
Others will start, but their functionality will dip dramatically. Those that work will remain in operation for a much shorter duration.
Potential Issues Such As Decreased Capacity, Leakage, Or Failure To Power Devices
Expired batteries will work, but they become inconvenient because their capacity has fallen significantly. They won’t hold their charge for long; once discharged, it will take longer than you remember to charge them.
Some batteries will lose most of their charge the moment you disconnect them from the charger. Eventually, the device will refuse to start. The biggest problem is leakages because they can damage your equipment.
The manufacturer is unlikely to pay for damage that occurs because of a leak after the expiration date. This is why many consumers prefer to replace batteries that expire even though they still work.
Tips On Proper Storage And Handling Of Duracell Batteries To Extend Their Shelf Life
- Avoid extreme temperatures. Stick to room temperature.
- Avoid storage spaces with high humidity. Look for a vapor-proof container.
- Use recommended chargers.
- Dispose of batteries that show signs of leaking.
- Don’t keep batteries in devices you don’t expect to use for a long time.
- Don’t keep batteries in devices that no longer work.
- Don’t recharge disposable batteries.
- Don’t mix new and old batteries in the same device.
- Turn off devices you’re not using.
- Don’t store batteries with metallic objects.
- Don’t allow the opposing ends of batteries to touch in storage.
- Don’t puncture or crush the batteries.
Best Practices For Keeping Batteries Fresh And Ready For Use
- Don’t discharge batteries fully unless they require deep-discharge cycles.
- Remove dirt and corrosion before putting the batteries in storage.
- Keep the batteries at 40 percent before putting them in storage. Don’t store depleted batteries.
- Don’t leave the batteries idle on a shelf for longer than the manufacturer recommends. Replace batteries that spend too much time in storage.
- Keep them away from excess heat or cold.
Guidance On Safe Disposal And Recycling Of Expired Duracell Batteries
You can’t just throw expired Duracell batteries in a household bin. But then, what do you do with them?
- You should recycle batteries because disposing of them using conventional means harms the environment.
- The United States Environmental Protection Agency has also noted that batteries contain critical raw materials like cobalt and graphite that have significant value to the United States. Recycling allows the country to recover these materials.
- According to Insider, you can place common alkaline AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V batteries in the trash.
- Disposable lithium batteries should go to a recycling program. The same goes for rechargeable batteries. But they require a specialized recycling center.
- Place the batteries you want to recycle in plastic bags after covering their terminals with electrical tape.
Information On Battery Recycling Programs Or Drop-Off Locations
- Duracell is a member of the Call2Recycle scheme. You can use call2recycle collection points to recycle Duracell batteries.
- Duracell funds The Big Battery Hunt, which encourages young people in UK schools to collect and recycle batteries.
- If you can’t find any of Duracell’s recycling schemes in your area, talk to your local authorities. Check their platform for information on recycling collection points in schools, libraries, and the like.
- From what nidirect government services have seen, many retailers and supermarkets will take any batteries you return to a recycling center.
Details On Duracell’s Warranty Or Guarantee Policy Concerning Battery Expiration
What does Duracell say about expired batteries in its terms and conditions? What guarantees do they offer?
- Duracell batteries have a 10-year warranty.
- The terms and conditions guarantee a specific number of cycles. In other words, you can’t contact Duracell to make a claim if the battery’s performance deteriorates after it exceeds the promised number of cycles. This applies to expiration dates.
- Duracell’s policy emphasizes factory defects related to the material and workmanship. They won’t cover damage resulting from your actions.
Any Warranty Coverage For Devices Damaged By Expired Duracell Batteries
According to this snapshot of a Duracell guarantee, the company promises to repair or replace devices that sustain damage because of their batteries. That includes damage that occurs because of leaks.
Usually, manufacturers cannot guarantee the performance of a battery after it exceeds the expiration date. Check your Duracell battery manual for clarification on whether or not you can make claims after the battery expires.
Tips For Identifying Counterfeit Duracell Batteries, Which May Lack Proper Expiration Dates
If Duracell batteries have failed you in the past, consider the possibility that you bought a counterfeit product.
- The labels on genuine Duracell batteries do not peel off.
- The batch numbers are laser-etched into the label, not printed.
- Authentic batteries don’t have misspellings.
- The packaging is not cheap or poorly constructed.
- According to the Counterfeit Report, authentic Duracell batteries come from Germany, China, the US, and Belgium; the label will say so.
How To Purchase Authentic Duracell Batteries From Reliable Sources?
- Use Duracell’s official platforms.
- Use recognizable sellers like Amazon.
- Find a retailer with a strong reputation. The reviews from previous customers will tell you whether the retailer in question sells counterfeit or genuine products.