Climate Controlled Storage
Weather extremes, as well as high heat and humidity, can be the bane of many items such as furniture, electronics and natural items including fabrics, and more. If you’re planning on using a storage unit for any length of time and you’re in a region with unstable weather, climate control might be the way to go.
What is Climate Controlled Storage?
Climate-controlled storage consists of units within a storage facility that are kept from getting too hot or too cold throughout the year by circulating air throughout the building. Many sensitive items can be affected by extreme temperatures and humidity. By circulating air through these units, the damaging effects of heat, cold and humidity on sensitive items can be largely mitigated.
Storage facilities might have all climate-controlled units or a select number of units, based on multiple factors, including the local environment, available real estate and consumer demand. You can rent affordable climate-controlled storage units in a wide range of sizes and configurations at many Store Space facilities across the country. Most climate-controlled storage units are in an enclosed building, offering visitors added protection from the elements. Some facilities also offer drive-up climate-controlled units.
Even though most climate-control units are on the inside of storage facilities, move-in is always easy. There are often covered or truck-accessible unloading areas and interior hallways are wide and accommodating. Upper floor units are accessed via large elevators.
Find a storage location nearest you to check on the availability of climate-controlled storage or call any store to talk with our storage professionals.
How do Storage Units Control the Climate?
The goal of climate control is to keep your stored possessions from exposure to extreme heat, cold or excessive humidity. This is accomplished by circulating air throughout the climate-controlled building, effectively cooling or warming the building opposite to the outside air. While climate-controlled units are not humidity-controlled, reducing or increasing the building’s temperature relative to the outside creates a similar effect by lowering or increasing the relative humidity throughout the building.
Excessive Heat
Excessive heat can damage many different types of media, such as vinyl records, tapes, CDs, photographs and more. Furniture and items made of wood can also be affected by heat, which causes wood to expand and possibly warp.
Excessive Cold
Excessive cold can also damage furniture, as it causes wood to naturally shrink and crack. Similarly, any items that might retain moisture can freeze and crack, causing damage.
Humidity
Humidity can also cause issues with all different types of items such as electronics, media, antiques, furniture, fabrics and more. Humidity can also lead to mold and mildew growth.
Items that Should be Kept in Climate Control
The advantages of storing in a climate-controlled unit are clear: they help mitigate damage to your most sensitive possessions by reducing heat in the unit in the summer, cold in the winter and humidity throughout the year. Since most climate-controlled storage units are located in an enclosed building, they also help protect visitors from the elements. Some facilities also offer outdoor or indoor drive-up climate-controlled units for car-side loading and unloading.
Records and New Media
Record collectors know that leaving a vinyl LP out in the sun is a bad idea, since the heat can lead to warping. Excessive cold can cause brittleness. The same holds true for newer types of media, like CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray Discs and so on.
Photos and Film
Prints and film are sensitive to extreme temperatures. Climate control helps regulate this to extend the life of photos in storage.
Books, Magazines and Paper
Paper-based products can degrade more quickly when exposed to direct sunlight or temperature extremes, which is why climate control storage is ideal.
Electronics and Appliances
Solid-state components, monitor screens, metal parts, batteries and other electronics are all sensitive to temperature extremes and can benefit from being stored in a climate-controlled environment.
Furniture
Wood and natural fabrics can be very sensitive to changes in temperature and excess humidity. Warping, swelling, splitting, glue failure, and other issues can occur without climate control.
Pharmaceuticals
Drug reps and other sales reps frequently rent climate-controlled storage units to keep their products stable.
Fabrics
If you’re planning to store fabrics or clothes for any period of time, take extra care when storing them by choosing climate-controlled storage.
Collectibles
Keeping your collectibles in top shape is important for all collectors, which is why many choose to store items in climate-controlled storage units.
Items that should not be stored
There are items that cannot be kept in a storage unit whether it’s climate-controlled or not, such as fur coats, fuel, perishables, toxic materials or firearms. Keep in mind that other items may also be restricted by state or local laws, so be sure to check with your store manager if you’re not sure.
Resources to help you
If you’ve never rented self storage before, we’re here to help.
Once you’ve found the right storage unit you can lock in your price by making a free reservation.
Here’s what you need to know to make the process as smooth as possible.
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Storage Features & Amentities
Cleanliness
All our facilities are clean, modern and inviting. We take extra care to ensure that all common and high-traffic areas are cleaned and sanitized frequently because your health, and that of our employees, is of prime importance.
Temperature
A climate-controlled storage unit makes sense to help combat issues caused by temperature and humidity. Air is circulated to maintain a more consistent temp, making climate-controlled units ideal for storing paper, pharmaceuticals, electronics, furniture, fabric and much more.
Vehicle Storage
Renting a vehicle parking space from Store Space can be a great alternative to parking a commercial vehicle on the street unattended.
Billing
- AutoPay available
- Major credit cards accepted
- Pay online, in-store or by phone
- Rent due on 1st of each month
Access
- Computer-controlled gate access
- Customized PIN
- Extended daily gate hours
- Your lock, your key
Administrative
- Call center open late daily
- Free no-obligation reservations
- No security deposit required
- Sign up for text alerts
Moving
- Designated unloading areas
- Large doorways
- Spacious elevators
- Wide driveway aisles
Climate Controlled Storage FAQs
How do you store furniture in climate-controlled storage?
Store furniture up against walls or raised off the ground to maximize protection. It’s also a good idea to clean and wax exposed wood. Wrap them in sheets or drop cloths, then use tape to keep the fabric in place, just ensuring that the tape isn’t applied to the wood itself. Use furniture pads to further protect the wood from damage.
Are there drive-up climate-controlled storage units?
Yes, these units combine the convenience of carside unloading with year-round climate control. These units are harder to find and are coveted by collectors.
What is the temperature range for climate-controlled storage?
While this varies by location and other factors, climate-controlled storage units are generally between 55 and 85 F, year-round.
What is the advantage of climate-controlled storage?
By circulating air throughout a building and maintaining a constant temperature, damage from too much or too little humidity and large temperature swings can largely be mitigated by using a climate-controlled storage unit.
What Temperature is Maintained in these Units?
Store Space self-storage facilities will keep their climate-controlled storage units between 55 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. This is relatively consistent across the industry.
Who Needs Climate-Controlled Storage?
If your plans include storing anything that might be considered “sensitive” to the environment, such as electronics or media, wood, fabric or other natural fabrics, or items that retain moisture, then climate-controlled storage is an important consideration.
Because of customer demand across the country, more climate-controlled storage units are available than ever before. Once considered a premium feature only available at select locations, many new facilities are being built with only climate control units and older facilities are being upgraded to include climate control buildings.
Advantages of Climate Control
The advantages of storing in a climate-controlled unit are clear: they help mitigate damage to your most sensitive possessions by reducing heat in the unit in the summer, cold in the winter and humidity throughout the year.
How to Properly Store Items in Climate-Controlled Storage
- Renting a climate-controlled storage unit goes a long way toward protecting your belongings, but there are other things you should do as well to help:
- Elevate any temperature- or humidity-sensitive items off the ground, using pallets, shelves or other boxes that aren’t susceptible.
- Store your most sensitive and valuable items near the back, away from the door to avoid temperature and humidity fluctuations that may damage them.
- Promote airflow between your items by leaving space between them.
- Place moisture-absorbing products like silica gel packs or moisture absorbers around your unit to assist in dehumidification and damage prevention.
- Make sure to drain any moisture from appliances to further safeguard against freezing and mildew.
Rent a Climate Controlled Storage Unit
Now that you’ve learned more about climate-controlled storage, it’s time to rent! Find your nearest Store Space location or call any store to talk with one of our storage professionals.
