A climate-controlled storage unit is a must for anyone who’s looking to preserve their belongings. These units protect their items from extreme heat, cold, and humidity, which can cause major damage to fragile and sentimental objects.
Fluctuating temperatures can cause wooden furniture to crack and deteriorate, make electronics malfunction, and lead to mold or mildew growth. Humidity fluctuations can also wreak havoc by damaging delicate paper materials and photographs.
As the name implies, climate-controlled storage maintains a consistent temperature within the unit. This prevents materials like wood from deteriorating in extreme heat, or electronic devices from overheating and malfunctioning. It also helps to preserve the integrity of items that are susceptible to moisture exposure. These include paper products (including photographs), delicate fabrics, and many electronics. They can mould, rust, or disintegrate, making them difficult to use later on.
Many clients opt for climate controlled storage because they want to keep their belongings safe from damage caused by sunlight and high temperatures. They may be storing items that are of significant sentimental value, or they might simply want to protect their possessions from the elements as much as possible.
Another factor that influences whether or not climate control is worth the extra cost is where the items are stored. Are they going to be kept in an area that experiences sweltering heat or bitter cold for long periods of time? If so, it’s wise to invest in a climate-controlled storage unit.
Similarly, areas that experience high levels of humidity may also require climate-controlled storage for their belongings. Humidity can cause a wide variety of issues, including mould and mildew growth, stains on fabrics, and damage to papers. Climate control can help to prevent these issues by ensuring that the humidity level is kept under control.
In addition to preventing moisture exposure, climate control can also help to keep pests out of the units. Pests can damage or destroy belongings, as well as make the storage unit more unsanitary for the tenant. The cool temperatures within a climate controlled storage unit can help to deter pests, and the fact that the units are located in a sealed facility further reduces their chances of infestation.
While not all items need to be stored in a climate-controlled environment, most sensitive materials should be stored in one. It is also worth considering a climate-controlled unit if you are storing expensive electronics, furniture, or artwork. The value of these items can be significantly reduced by exposing them to damaging elements, and it is worthwhile to invest in the climate control option in order to protect your belongings.
Temperature isn’t the only factor that can damage your belongings in storage. Humidity is another one to consider, especially if your items are sensitive to moisture and mold. Climate controlled storage units keep the humidity level steady, meaning that you’ll have fewer problems with moisture build up and your belongings can stay safe and dry.
Aside from preventing mold and mildew, the steady temperature and humidity level in a climate control unit prevents items from absorbing too much moisture. This can be a problem for fabric, furniture, paper items, and many other types of items. This is because too much moisture in the air causes them to become brittle and dry out.
This is why it’s so important to make sure that your items are cleaned before putting them in storage. Keeping them clean and free of debris also helps prevent the growth of mold and mildew. A good rule of thumb is to vacuum and mop any surfaces that will be touched frequently, including the floors.
Another big benefit of climate control is that it protects your belongings from extreme temperatures. This can be a big deal if you’re storing items for several months or even a year or more. Extreme heat and cold can cause wood to crack, metal to melt or warp, and can even change the chemical composition of some types of plastic.
Typically, climate controlled storage is the best choice for electronics, artwork, paper items, antiques, musical instruments, and any other item that may be damaged by extreme temperature and humidity fluctuations. For only a few dollars more a month, you can get peace of mind that your items are protected from the elements. If you’re unsure whether or not your belongings need climate control, ask the storage facility and they can give you more information. Then, you can decide if this additional protection is worth the extra cost!
If your clients are storing items that are susceptible to moisture damage, like art, furniture, papers, and electronics, climate control may be worth the extra cost. Moisture damage can occur from exposure to hot temperatures and humidity, which can cause wood to crack or melt, paper to mould, and chemicals in electronics to degrade over time. Keeping your client’s belongings safe from these environmental changes is one of the main reasons why your storage facility should offer climate controlled units, along with automated systems and top security features.
The best way to protect your client’s belongings from moisture damage is to pack them properly before putting them in storage. Sturdy boxes and plastic bins offer structural integrity, while bubble wrap and packing paper offer cushioning to protect items from impact. Using strong tape and a tight seal will also help prevent moisture intrusion. You should also keep an inventory of high-quality packing materials, including vacuum-seal bags, which can be used to suck the air out of delicate textiles and papers before they are stored.
Climate controlled storage is also a good idea if your clients live in an area that has high heat and humidity levels. Those conditions can damage many types of belongings, from wood and leather furniture to photographs and documents. Your clients will appreciate the peace of mind that comes with knowing their valuables are protected from this type of damage.
Although not every item needs to be stored in a climate controlled unit, if they are of monetary or sentimental value, or are antique or irreplaceable, then they should definitely be kept in a climate controlled space. It is also a good idea to store your clients’ sensitive belongings in climate controlled spaces if they are moving or changing locations, as the local weather can affect the items they have in storage. With climate control typically costing 25 to 40% more than standard storage units, your clients will likely find this feature well worth the investment.
The last big point is that climate control helps to keep dust off your items. This is important for protecting your belongings from being damaged by dirt and debris that can get into the air as a result of humidity, rain, snow, and other natural elements. This dust can cause scratches and other damages on your belongings, making them less appealing to look at and use. By reducing this dust in your storage units, you are helping to protect your customers’ valuables.
A climate controlled unit also helps to control humidity, which is just as important to the preservation of your belongings as temperature. High humidity can cause damage to wood furniture, and it can lead to the development of mold or mildew on fabrics. By regulating humidity levels in your storage units, you can help prevent these issues from occurring.
Generally speaking, anything of significant monetary value or that is antique, irreplaceable, or part of a collection should be stored in a climate-controlled unit. This includes things like artwork, collectibles, photos, musical instruments, and furniture. It is also recommended that you store electronics in a climate-controlled unit, as extended exposure to extreme temperatures can cause them to malfunction or even break.
There are some scenarios where a non-climate controlled storage unit might be sufficient, but it’s best to be safe rather than sorry. If you plan on storing your items for several months or more than a year, then climate controlled storage is definitely the way to go. The weather patterns in different parts of the country can vary drastically over this long period of time, so you want to ensure that your valuables are protected from extreme heat and humidity.
By providing your customers with climate-controlled units, you are increasing the overall value of their rental and ensuring that they are getting the most out of their storage experience. Additionally, if your business is located in an area with hot and humid weather conditions, then offering climate control units is a great way to attract and retain more customers. By knowing the benefits of climate-controlled storage, you can help your customers decide if it’s the right option for their unique needs and circumstances.
