Why You Should Choose a Climate Controlled Self Storage Unit

Air conditioner units in the sun

Why You Should Choose a Climate Controlled Self Storage Unit

In many cases a traditional storage unit is appropriate, but if you live in an area with extreme temperatures or are storing items that are valuable or require extreme care, you should choose a climate controlled storage unit. By controlling the climate around your belongings you can prevent damage to your items. Extreme high and low temperatures may cause wood to warp or leather to crack, while high humidity can cause photos to stick together and documents to mildew and discolor. Climate controlled storage units are maintained at a constant temperature between 55°F and 85°F year-round, and humidity levels are maintained around 55%. Climate controlled units are also superior to traditional units when it comes to dust and pest resistance. A few examples of items that may be susceptible to damage without climate control include:

Collectibles

Your antique, coin, stamp, wine, or artwork collection needs to be protected from temperature changes and humidity in order to preserve them for years to come. Extreme temperatures and humidity can start the oxidation process, ruin the metal in coins and cause stamps to curl and stick. Without consistent, cool temperatures, wine can age too quickly, giving it an unpleasant taste while fluctuating temperatures and humidity can wreak havoc on books, paintings, drawings, posters, and other artwork.

Electronics

By choosing to store your TVs, computers, stereos, photography and audio equipment and other expensive electronics in a climate controlled unit, you can reduce their chance of damage while in storage. Without climate control, moisture can accumulate as a result of high humidity and damage fragile internal parts. Plasma TVs in particular are heavily affected by temperature extremes and high humidity.

Household and Personal Items

Sentimental items such as family heirlooms deserve to be stored in a climate controlled unit to preserve them for future generations. For example, a wedding gown (as well as other clothing) can become moldy and mildewed if not maintained at a constant temperature and humidity level. Musical instruments and media such as cassettes, CDs, DVDs, negatives, and vinyl records are all sensitive to their environment and should be stored in a climate controlled unit. Washers, dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, and microwaves all need climate-controlled storage to protect their electronic and mechanical parts from cracking and rusting. Furniture and other items made from sensitive materials such as glass, leather, metal, and plastic will also need climate control.

Business Documents and Inventory

No matter how you store your files (boxes, file cabinets, etc.) a climate-controlled unit is crucial for protecting your documents from humidity. If you are storing any of your business’ inventory, it is vital to store it in a climate controlled storage unit to ensure the quality of the items is upheld.

Still not sure if you should store your items in a climate controlled storage unit? Speak with the Storage Post team and we will help you decide on the best type of storage unit to fit your needs.