CLIMATE-CONTROLLED STORAGE

Name: Do I Need Climate Controlled Storage?
Uploaded: 2021-12-30T08:00-07:00
Description: Climate control at a self storage facility means that specific storage units are temperature-controlled to stay within a temperature range to protect sensitive belongings from extreme heat or cold. If you’re not sure if you need climate controlled storage, we’ve put together a list of some of the basic things you need to consider before choosing a climate controlled unit.

Learn about climate control, whether you need it for your storage unit, and find climate-controlled storage near you.

Family of three speaking with an Extra Space Storage employee

Do You Need Climate Controlled Storage?

Climate control at a self storage facility means that specific storage units are temperature-controlled to stay within a temperature range to protect sensitive belongings from extreme heat or cold. If you’re not sure if you need climate controlled storage, we’ve put together a list of some of the basic things you need to consider before choosing a climate controlled unit.

WHAT IS CLIMATE-CONTROLLED STORAGE?

Climate control at a self storage facility means that specific storage units are temperature-controlled to stay within a temperature range to protect sensitive belongings from extreme heat or cold.

WHAT TEMPERATURE IS CLIMATE-CONTROLLED STORAGE KEPT AT?

At Extra Space Storage, our climate-controlled units are typically maintained at temperatures between 55 and 80 degrees.

THE BENEFITS OF CLIMATE CONTROL

Protection from External Weather Conditions

Whether it’s 100-degree heat or below-freezing cold, extreme temperature changes can severely damage sensitive items kept in a non-regulated environment. With storage that’s climate-controlled, your items are better protected from these extreme conditions.

Personal Comfort & Peace of Mind

A climate-controlled unit doesn’t just provide a protective environment for your belongings. It also makes visiting your storage unit on hot and cold days more comfortable. In addition, because most storage units with climate control are located inside a storage facility (rather than accessible outdoors), there’s another layer of privacy and safety for you and your stored items.

Prevents Costly Damage to Your Belongings

Even though climate-controlled storage units cost more than standard storage units, the money you’ll save on replacing or repairing damaged items is invaluable. Climate control can do the following:

Keep wooden items from warping, cracking, or tearing
Prevent yellowing or degradation of leather and fabrics
Ward off mildew, mold, and pests
Reduce chances of rust, corrosion, and weakening with metal items
Protect electrical components of electronic devices

UNDERSTANDING THE TYPES OF CLIMATE-CONTROLLED STORAGE

Type

Heated

Cooled

Standard

Climate Control

Heated

Air Cooled

Climate-Controlled Storage

This is by far the most common option and is what has been discussed throughout this page. Climate control is heated in the winter and cooled during the summer. Though there isn’t humidity control, the majority of climate-controlled units are typically located within a building structure so the humidity level is similar to the inside of a house.

Air-Cooled Storage

Utilized in states where extreme heat is prominent throughout the year, air-cooled storage is when cold air is blown through storage units using water vapor. It’s a highly-effective way to keep storage units at a safe temperature for your belongings, but it might not be the right option if you’re storing items that are sensitive to humidity.

Heated Storage

In areas where extreme heat is rarely an issue but harsh winters are the norm, heated storage units are the perfect solution. This feature maintains a safe, warm environment in your storage unit when the temperature drops in your area.

Humidity-Controlled Storage

Storing delicate items that must be kept within a precise humidity range? Then humidity-controlled storage is what you’re looking for. Give our team a call at (888) 609-8483 to help find humidity-controlled storage in your area.

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR ITEMS FOR CLIMATE CONTROL

Ready to use climate-controlled storage? The following steps will help you reap the full benefits of climate control and ensure you’ve maximized your self storage investment.

1. Figure Out What Items You’ll Be Storing

Developing a plan for how you’ll store your sensitive items will make getting them into a self storage unit much easier. Start by making a list of what items you will be putting away. Be sure to categorize the items into groups so you can store similar items together. Don’t forget to measure everything! There’s only so much room in your storage unit, so you want to make sure you’re utilizing your space effectively.

2. Start Organizing the Items

Before you move items to storage, you need the right materials to keep everything organized. Get packing materials like boxes and containers, as well as bubble wrap, newspaper, and blankets to protect the items you place in storage containers. Extra Space Storage even offers packing and moving supplies.

One storage organization tip we highly recommend is to label each box or container to save yourself some time whenever you visit your storage unit to find specific items. In addition, it’s a good idea to create a diagram of your storage unit to get a better sense of where certain items will go. Check out our size guide for an idea of how to visualize and organize your items within your unit.

3. Pack Items with Intention

Once you know what will go were, it’s time to pack! Keep like items together and pack them with as little wiggle room as possible to minimize damage while moving. Be sure to use bubble wrap or newspaper to provide your delicate belongings with a protective layer that prevents dust from collecting or scratches from other items in the box or container. Also, if any items come apart or have little pieces like nuts and bolts, place those in a small baggie that you can attach to the item or within the same storage container.

4. Move Items to Climate-Controlled Storage

Before heading to the self storage facility, double-check with the facility manager what the gate hours are and if there are any restrictions on what can be stored. If everything is ready to go, take the diagram of your storage unit and begin putting things away. Raise furniture or place it up against a wall and get important items off of the floor so they don’t get damaged by unforeseen circumstances.

Items That Need Climate Control

Electronics & Media

When storing electronics and media, you should avoid extreme conditions altogether. Extended exposure to high humidity is damaging to most electronics, and exposure to extreme heat or cold is also not recommended. Some items that benefit from climate control include TVs, computers, gaming systems, stereos and cameras.

Likewise, DVDs, records, and other media are susceptible to humidity damage and certain items can even melt in extreme heat. Items that can benefit from climate control also include cassettes, VHS tapes, photos, film reels and negatives.

Furniture

When storing furniture, keep in mind that wooden, leather, and upholstered furniture are all at risk of damage if not kept in a controlled environment. In hot, humid weather, furniture can expand and warp or collect mold and mildew. When exposed to extreme cold, furniture can shrink and crack.

Artwork

Moisture and drastic temperature changes are the enemy of artwork. If you’re in an area that experiences high humidity levels and extreme temperatures, we highly recommend climate control when storing artwork and antiques.

Books & Newspapers

When storing books and newspapers, you’ll want to avoid exposure to humidity and extreme temperatures for extended amounts of time, as this can fade and warp paper-based items.

Musical Instruments

When storing musical instruments like percussion, string, or brass instrument, humidity and extreme temperatures can wreak havoc on your instruments.

Wine

Wine retains its quality best when stored in very specific conditions and shouldn’t be left in a non-climate-controlled environment. Though wine is mentioned here, Extra Space Storage offers wine storage, which provides the ideal storage conditions, as a service at select locations.

Collectibles

Most collectible items, including antiques, artwork, coin collections, stamp collections, and more should be kept in stable, ideal storage conditions.

Regions Where Climate Control is Recommended

Where you’re storing your belongings matters when determining how important climate-controlled storage is for you. Let’s take a look at which areas of the country experience potentially damaging weather conditions.

Extreme Heat

Heat can be damaging to different media types, including vinyl records, discs like CDs and DVDs, photos, film reels, and more. It’s also hard on electronics and can cause wooden furniture to expand and warp. If you live in an area that experiences extreme heat and will be using storage during the summer months, we highly recommend climate-controlled storage.

Extreme Cold

With cold temperatures, items like wooden furniture will shrink and potentially crack, any items that retain moisture can potentially freeze, and several other items can lose quality if exposed for extended periods of time. If you live in an area that experiences extreme cold during the winter months, strongly consider climate-controlled storage.

Extreme Humidity

Humidity can be especially troublesome for items like electronics, artwork, photos, books, and more. Though climate-controlled storage units are not humidity-controlled, they’re typically located within a building structure, so they experience humidity like the interior of a house would. Strongly consider climate control if you live in an area with extreme humidity.

Frequently Asked Questions of Climate-Controlled Storage

Can you control the temperature in a climate-controlled unit?

Is climate-controlled storage more expensive?

Is climate control worth it?

How hot do storage units get?

Climate Controlled Storage Pricing Comparison

Looking for cheap climate-controlled storage units? Check out our price chart below to get an idea of the average prices and lowest prices for climate control at Extra Space Storage!

Unit Size

Average Price +

Lowest Price

5x10

$119

$51

10x10

$188

$87

10x15

$247

$114

10x20

$306

$143

+ All prices are for reference only and are subject to change without notice. Online pricing is only available for online reservations and rentals. Other restrictions, taxes, fees, and insurance requirements may apply. See Rental Agreement for details.

*Excludes administrative and insurance fees