And projectors aren't the only components that can have a problem with heat. A friend of mine in Texas has seen the bricks in a house's exterior walls get so hot that they cause the touchpanels mounted in them to overheat and lock up.

THE DEEP FREEZE
Cold can be every bit as rough on your gear as heat. As color touchscreens have become more affordable, some people have allowed the temptation to place them in deck and pool areas to overrule their common sense. While this might be great for summer use, most liquid-crystal screens don't like extreme cold any more than they like extreme heat.

I was once called in to fix a job where an installer had mounted a touchpanel in a sunroom. In summer, the room became an oven when the outside doors were closed, and in winter, the temperature in the unheated space often fell below zero. The previous installer had to replace the panel after every summer and winter. My solution was to install a wireless touchpanel — but it was an expensive solution.

ON THE BEACH
Our next danger zone is coastal areas, with their high humidity and salt-filled air. Good outdoor speakers can handle all kinds of environmental adversity, but the salt fog of coastal states and the high humidity of the tropics are still bad for them. These speakers are tested and rated for exposure to heat, cold, moisture, and salt fog, and a well-designed model will make it through season after season of abuse.

a. THUNDERSTORMS To avoid having lightning strikes fry your gear, use first-rate surge protection on all lines coming into your A/V system. b. HIGH ALTITUDES Make sure all of your equipment is rated to perform at high elevations. The thinner air can cause anything that generates heat to fail. c. EXTREME HEAT Keep all of your A/V equipment well ventilated. d. FLOODING Avoid using the basement for a home theater if you live in a flood region. If that’s the only possible location, make sure to keep your gear well off the floor. e. TORNADOES Mount your gear in closets or in extremely rigid equipment racks. f. EARTHQUAKES Use a restraining cord to tether your flat-panel TV. Better yet, mount it directly to the wall studs. g. SALT-WATER SPRAY All outdoor speakers are rated for their ability to withstand exposure to salt water. Make sure the ones you buy can handle the conditions in your area.

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