Do You Need a Climate-Controlled Storage Unit?

Trying to decide if you should reserve a climate-controlled storage unit at Extra Space Storage? Check out our self storage guide below for answers to frequently asked questions about climate control!

• What Is Climate Control?
• Why Is Climate-Controlled Storage Necessary?
• What Items Need Climate-Controlled Storage?
• Where Do I Need Climate-Controlled Storage?
• Is Climate Control Worth It?

What Is Climate Control?

Climate control keeps your storage unit within a certain temperature range. This can help protect sensitive items from damage caused by extreme heat or cold. At Extra Space Storage, climate-controlled storage units are typically kept between 55 and 80 degrees. Other temperature-controlled storage options available at Extra Space Storage locations include air-cooled storage, heated storage, and dehumidified storage.

Why Is Climate-Controlled Storage Necessary?

Climate-controlled storage can help protect belongings kept in a self storage unit by maintaining a consistent storage environment. By preventing your storage unit from getting too hot or too cold, climate control reduces the chances that temperature-sensitive items will get damaged in storage. This amenity is beneficial for anyone storing delicate items or living in a region where extreme temperatures are common.

How hot can standard storage units get?

Storage units that don’t have climate control—particularly drive-up access units that don’t have the insulation of an indoor building—can reach temperatures upwards of 120 degrees in certain regions. In an uncontrolled storage environment such as this, stored items can easily be damaged by extreme heat.

Should I be worried about a cold self storage unit?

If you live in an area where temperatures drop below freezing, then you should be concerned about your storage unit getting too cold. Cold temperatures can cause furniture, electronics, musical instruments, and other sensitive items to shatter, crack, warp, or stop functioning properly.

Can humidity damage my items in storage?

Humidity can damage delicate items like photos, books, artwork, clothing, and more when kept in an uncontrolled storage environment. This is because humidity can cause mold and mildew growth.

What Items Need Climate-Controlled Storage?

While most items can benefit from climate control, a temperature-controlled environment is more important for delicate belongings like antiques, musical instruments, and china, as these items are more sensitive to extreme temperature changes. Keep in mind that the need for climate control will also depend on where you live and how long you plan to store your items.

Do important documents need climate-controlled storage?

If you’re going to store paper files like important documents and photos, you’ll need climate-controlled storage. Paper is susceptible to mold and mildew growth, and it can fade and warp over time.

Should clothes be stored in climate control?

To store clothes properly, you should rent climate-controlled storage. When kept in uncontrolled conditions, clothing fabrics can stretch, fade, develop mold and mildew, and even deteriorate.

Does furniture need to be stored in climate control?

When you store furniture, it’s recommended that you get a climate-controlled unit. Wood, leather, plastic, and fabric can all be damaged by extreme temperatures, so climate control can help protect your furniture.

Do I need climate control for TVs & other electronics?

TVs and other electronics need climate control because extreme heat and cold can severely damage electrical components. Even if you live in a mild climate, climate control can help you safely store electronics.

What appliances need to be stored in climate-controlled units?

Small and large appliances alike can benefit from climate control. Electrical components in appliances can stop working after sitting too long in extreme heat or cold, and appliances with water hookups like washing machines and dishwashers can break in freezing temperatures or develop mold in humid environments.

Do I need climate control for wine storage?

If you’re storing wine in a storage unit, climate control is a must. Wine corks can dry out and bottles can freeze in cold temperatures, while hot and humid conditions can affect the taste and overall quality of the wine.

Is there climate-controlled commercial storage?

Yes, there’s climate-controlled business storage units available at Extra Space Storage. This is a great solution for businesses that need to store documents, inventory, materials, or equipment in a controlled environment.

Should I have climate control for indoor vehicle storage?

With vehicle storage, you don’t need climate control, as most vehicles are designed to withstand extreme temperature changes. That said, if you plan to store a classic car or motorcycle that needs more protection from the elements, climate-controlled storage can help prevent rust and other body damage.

Do storage lockers have climate control?

Storage lockers sometimes include climate control, but it’s not a common feature. Most storage lockers are located in an indoor building, so they do have some insulation from external temperatures already.

Where Do I Need Climate Controlled-Storage?

You should consider renting a storage unit with climate control in regions of the U.S. where extreme heat, extreme cold, and high humidity are common. Typically, you should rent climate-controlled storage if you live in an area where the temperature drops below 32 degrees or goes above 90 degrees.

Is climate-controlled storage important in the South?

Climate control is important when renting self storage in the South because the region experiences extreme heat and high humidity. This region includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Do I need climate-controlled storage units in the West?

Depending on where you live in the West, you may need climate-controlled storage. In certain areas of Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Northern California, the climate is milder year-round, so you might not need temperature-controlled storage. But in Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and New Mexico, where temperatures can exceed 100 degrees for long periods, climate control might be worth it. Areas in Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana that receive a lot of snowfall could also benefit from climate control.

Should I have climate-controlled storage in the Midwest?

You should strongly consider renting climate-controlled storage in the Midwest, as this region experiences all four seasons with extreme temperature shifts. This region includes Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Why do I need climate control on the East Coast?

Climate control is a good idea for those on the East Coast renting self storage. If you’re in New England or Mid-Atlantic states like Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey, then climate-controlled storage is a good solution for protecting items from extreme cold. And if you’re in the Southeast, where extreme heat and humidity are common, then we recommend renting a storage unit with climate control.

Is a Climate-Controlled Storage Unit Worth It?

Though climate-controlled storage is generally more expensive than non-temperature-controlled storage, it’s worth renting a climate-controlled unit to protect sensitive items in self storage. Climate control makes it less likely that your items will get irreparably damaged by extreme temperature changes, which can save you money and give you peace of mind when keeping valuable belongings in storage.

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Looking for climate-controlled storage near you? Extra Space Storage has storage facilities across the U.S. that offer temperature-controlled storage. Find a storage unit near you!