What is Climate-controlled Storage and When Do You Need It?

When it comes to storing your belongings, one of the most critical decisions will be the type of storage unit that will protect your items and keep them free from damage. Among the available options to consider is indeed climate-controlled storage, devised for always maintaining temperature and humidity inside at constant levels. But what does climate-controlled storage mean, and how do you know that you will need it? This article is going to explain what this type of storage entails and help answer the question, “Do I need climate-controlled storage?”

1. What is Climate-Controlled Storage?

Climate-controlled storage simply refers to storage units that are designed to keep consistent temperature and humidity levels inside the unit. These units are usually contained in large buildings, also with HVAC systems that maintain an unchanged environment, regardless of the outside weather conditions.

• Temperature Control: In most instances, climate-controlled storage facilities use temperatures between 55°F and 85°F, which is from 13°C to 29°C. This prevents extreme heat and cold from affecting items in storage.
• Humidity Control: While regulating temperature within the storage facilities, the climate-controlled unit is also meant to maintain consistency in humidity levels, thus preventing the growth of excessive moisture, which might cause an infestation of mold, mildew, or warping.

It is especially helpful in areas with extreme season-to-season changes in temperature or very humid areas, but it is well worth the investment in any city where you want to store sensitive or important items.

2. Do I Need Climate-Controlled Storage?

The necessity for climate-controlled storage depends a lot on the type of items you would like to store and where you are located. Following are some key things that should begin to ring in your mind when asking yourself, “Do I need climate-controlled storage?”

Consider The Following

• Extreme Temperature: If you live in an area where the temperatures get below freezing, or above 90°F (around 32.2°C), then the climate-controlled option is recommended. High heat warps and/or cracks materials with wood being a good example of that. Cold temperatures make some things brittle.
• High Humidity: A humid climate brings in moisture damage that can include mold growth, mildew growth, and rust among others. Climate-controlled storage maintains humidity within a controlled range to avoid all that.
• Long-Term Storage: If you will be storing your items for a while, the climate control is usually a good investment. Minor fluctuations in temperature and humidity can lead to major damage over time.

3. Items That Require Climate-Controlled Storage

To help you decide if you need climate-controlled storage or not, put in mind the kind of items you store. Some of your belongings will have greater susceptibility to environmental conditions and will require special care.

Furniture (Wood and Leather)

Furniture made from wood expands and contracts due to temperature changes, and this may cause it to crack, warp, or weaken. Leather furniture becomes dry and may crack from extreme heat or could grow mold in muggy atmospheres.

• Why Climate Control Helps: Climate-controlled storage keeps temperatures and humidity levels to prevent the expansion, contraction, and moisture intake that can damage wood and leather furniture.

Electronics

Things like computers, televisions, gaming consoles, and other electronic components are susceptible to extremely high and low temperatures. High humidity can build up inside the devices and damage internal components.

• How Climate Control Helps: Through consistent dry environments, climate-controlled storage shields sensitive electronic circuitry from water damage and overheating.

Documents and Books

Poor storage conditions have a disintegrating effect on the documents, books, or photos that are kept in them. For example, papers buckle, stick together, or develop mold if the humidity is too high. High or very low temperature extremes cause ink to fade with time.

• Why Climate Control Helps: A climate-controlled environment will prevent yellowing, curling, or brittleness of paper-based items and help maintain their integrity for longer spans of storage.

Artwork

Paintings, prints, and sculptures are often extremely sensitive to changes in the ambient atmosphere. Temperature extremes can crack paint, while high humidity contributes to mold or mildew on canvases.

• Why Climate Control Helps: It prevents temperature extremes and moisture, protecting the value of such art and keeping it in great aesthetic condition.

Musical Instruments

Most of the musical instruments, especially those made of wood, like pianos, guitars, and violins, are very sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity. This may affect the tuning of the instrument, the quality of the sound it produces, and the structure.

• Why Climate Control Helps: Climate-controlled units provide that stability that secures the integrity of musical instruments and protects them from warping, cracking, or other forms of damage.

Clothing-particularly Delicate Fabrics

Whereas clothing made from natural fibers can be destroyed by humidity and temperature fluctuations, such as wool, silk, or linen. Mildew and mold can easily form on fabrics left in damp conditions.

• Why Climate Control Helps: Climate control will prevent the collection of moisture that keeps your clothes free from mildew, pests, and odors-meaning your clothes are in good condition.

Appliances

Large appliances, including but not limited to refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners, store better in climate-controlled units to avoid rust, mold growth, and further internal damage due to fluctuating temperatures.

• Why Climate Control Helps: Storing appliances in a consistently stable, dry environment prevents condensation leading to corrosion that might cause malfunction when you try to use them again.

4. Situations You May Not Require Climate-Controlled Storage

While these benefits can be helpful for many items, there will be some instances when this is just not really necessary.

Durable Items

For durable items like metal tools, plastic outdoor furniture, and seasonal decorations, you might consider storage that is not climate-controlled. These types of items tend to be more resistant to temperature and humidity changes.

Short-Term Storage

You will not need climate control for short-term storage, especially in mild weather. If your items are going to be in storage for only a few weeks or months, and the weather is stable, then you can likely get by without paying extra for climate control.

Outdoor Equipment

Items, such as gardening tools, bicycles, and lawn mowers, are made for outdoor weather, so they are less likely to be damaged in a standard storage unit without climate control.

5. Cost Considerations

One of the main reasons people ask, “Do I need climate-controlled storage?” is because it costs a little more. Generally speaking, climate-controlled units are more expensive than standard storage units due to the energy used when keeping temperature and humidity levels stable.

Weighing the Cost vs. Protection

While this type of storage costs more, it’s often well worth the extra investment if you plan to store items of great value or sensitivity. Put into perspective how much damage extremely high or low temperatures-or too much humidity-could do to your items. If the cost of replacement or repair for these items is greater than the difference in price for climate control, then climate-controlled storage makes sense.

Conclusion

So, what is climate-controlled storage, and do you need it? Quite simply put, climate-controlled storage spaces offer your sensitive or valuable items a constant, safe environment. If you plan to store furniture, electronics, art, or documents for an extended period of time in a region where extreme temperatures or humidity is common, then climate control may be a good option for you. Whether storing items in a long period of time, or whether the items are particularly valuable, you will want to consider investing in climate-controlled storage. The question now is, “Do I need climate-controlled storage?” Well, when you think about it, active consideration of the kind of items you are storing, the local climate, and how long your belongings will stay in storage should be done. Carefully weighing your needs will lead to making the appropriate choice and keeping your items safe throughout the period of their stay in storage.

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