[ Updated Tuesday, February 27, 2024 ]

3 Reasons You Might Need a Climate Controlled Storage Unit

The number one thing self-storage should give you is peace of mind. When you know that your belongings will be the same coming out of storage as they were going in, you have one less thing to worry about as you move through life’s phases and transitions.

Climate-controlled storage, sometimes called temperature-controlled storage, keeps your items in specific climate conditions for their safety and preservation. It costs more than standard storage units, but as an investment, as it reduces the chance of having to replace pieces damaged by extreme temperatures or air that’s too humid or dry. 

Here is a list of some our self-storage locations that have climate controlled storage units:

Wondering if climate-controlled storage is what you need? Here are three reasons you might need a climate-controlled storage unit:

1. You Need Storage Longer Than Expected

Does your job require a lot of travel and you need to store your belongings because you’re hotel-bound for the foreseeable future? Or, are you moving from one home to another and uncertain how long it will take? 

If you originally planned to store belongings for a few weeks but now need storage for a few months to a year or more, a climate-controlled unit is the way to go.

Most things in a storage unit will be OK for a few weeks, especially if the weather doesn’t change much. However, the longer your belongings are there, the more susceptible they are to damage from heat, cold, humidity, and dry air. 

These conditions can lead to mold, cracks, and pests. Even the boxes holding your items are vulnerable.

2. You Live In an Area with an Extreme or Fluctuating Climate

In the United States, most areas experience a fluctuating climate or extreme temperatures. Humidity, whether significantly low or high, also changes by location. If the weather changes quickly and/or frequently, these conditions can have a greater impact on storage unit contents.  

Without climate-controlled storage your belongings could end up:

  • Warped 
  • Cracked 
  • Rotted 
  • Moldy
  • Mildewed 
  • Discolored
  • Rusted
  • Disintegrated
  • Melted 
  • Peeled
  • Dried out
  • Stuck together

To prevent this, climate-controlled storage units generally maintain temperatures between 55 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, similar to most homes. Climate-controlled storage units can also help keep humidity levels in check. Further, these controls keep the air quality better, which is ideal for all stored items.     

3. You’re Storing Delicate or Valuable Items

While everything in your storage unit is important, certain items may be truly irreplaceable, such as family photos or important documents. And, while some of your belongings may look hearty, they still have delicate components, such as furniture or household appliances.  

Without climate control, specific materials can expand, contract, oxidize or host fungal growth. Wood, leather, upholstery, fur, metal, and paper are especially prone to damage from these processes.     

Ultimately, you could wind up with dangerous electronics, unreadable papers, smelly furniture, and ruined paintings. 

Climate-controlled self-storage is the best way to prevent a lot of this damage. Taking it a step further, indoor climate-controlled units have an extra barrier against dust, debris, flooding, tracked-in dirt, and pests. 

If you’re putting any of the following in your self-storage, we highly recommend opting for a climate-controlled unit:

  • Furniture, mattresses, and anything else made of or containing metal, wood, leather, wicker, or upholstery
  • Artwork and musical instruments
  • Important documents and papers
  • Antiques and collectibles like stamps, coins, and comic books
  • Makeup and toiletries (oils and waters can separate)
  • Wine
  • Medical supplies and pharmaceuticals
  • Electronics and household appliances (appliances are tougher than electronics, but still delicate)
  • Cars, RVs, and boats, especially classic and antique models
  • Clothing, shoes, and other accessories, especially those made of fur, lace, leather, precious stones, or metals and stored in bags
  • Sports equipment
  • Candles
  • Media including DVDs, videos, photos, books, vinyl records, magazines, cassettes, film, etc. 

These are just three reasons you might need a climate-controlled storage unit--but there are many more. If you’re considering climate-controlled storage, be aware that you may have fewer size options than with standard storage. Climate-controlled storage is often limited to indoor units, though drive-up units may be available.  

Yes, climate-controlled self-storage is going to cost you a little more. But, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your belongings, from a new computer to an old family photo album, will look and work as well coming out as they did going in.