Climate-Controlled Storage Unit | Sentry Mini-Storage Inc

The reasons that you need a self-storage unit may be obvious between clutter piling up and awkward moving logistics looming in your future. However, even when you know you need the use of a storage unit, you may not know which type of unit works best for your needs.

Self-storage facilities often offer a number of different unit types, from boat storage spaces to climate-controlled units. Unit climate control can be essential to protect certain items, especially in harsh climates.

In this blog, we list five characteristics that may indicate the need for climate-controlled storage over a conventional unit.

1. Air-Quality Sensitive Items

One of the benefits of climate-controlled storage is that the same systems used to manage humidity and temperature also keep the air inside the unit at a better quality. Climate-control systems reduce dust, pollen, and other airborne particles that might otherwise settle on your belongings during the storage term.

If your load includes any items that could be sensitive to dust, bacteria, or airborne plant matter, consider climate-controlled storage. For example, precision electronics, antiques, and furnishings made from exotic woods may be vulnerable to poor quality air.

You may also want to consider climate-controlled storage to reap the benefit of better quality air whenever you need to access the unit, especially if you or any of the other adults who may access the unit have asthma, a dust allergy, or another respiratory condition that may act up after exposure to the stale, dusty air of a storage unit.

2. Extreme Temperatures in the Forecast

High and low temperatures can both harm your possessions while they’re in storage. For example, skyrocketing temperatures can damage vehicle tires, paper goods like photographs and stamp collections, and guitars. These changes can cause warping, melting, stickiness, and other irreparable damage to some items.

On the other side of the spectrum, sub-freezing temperatures can crack automotive fluid tanks, damage household electronics, and discolor leather furniture. Low temperatures can freeze and even shatter items, causing a potentially hazardous situation in your unit the next time you come by to pick something up.

Additionally, significant temperature fluctuations can be hard on materials that naturally expand in warmer weather and contract in the cold, like glass and genuine wood. If you know that summer’s heat or winter’s chill will likely hit your area while your goods are in storage, consider renting a climate-controlled unit.

3. High Humidity in the Forecast

Moisture can negatively affect many of the most common items found in the average storage unit. For example, high levels of humidity can warp book pages, musical instruments, important documents, and upholstered furnishings covered with certain materials.

If you know the humidity levels will climb during your storage term or you live in a region with perpetually high humidity, you will likely want climate control unless every item on your to-store list can resist significant moisture changes.

This need still applies even if you package all of your items in plastic bins. The reason is most storage containers are not completely watertight, and some forms of plastic can actually trap moisture against the item and cause further damage over time.

When looking for your unit, ask a facility representative about the specifics of their climate control. Some facilities only offer climate control for humidity or temperature, but not both. Check that the unit you reserve suits your needs.

4. Long-Term Storage Agreement

If your storage items don’t include any objects that are particularly sensitive to heat, moisture, or poor air quality, you may still need a climate-controlled unit, especially if you plan to sign a long-term storage agreement.

Climate-controlled units tend to offer better protection against generic water damage, pest infestations, and other common storage-related issues than conventional units. This extra protection stems from the sealed off nature of climate-controlled units, which reduces water seepage and pest infiltration.

The longer your storage term is, the greater the chance that your items will undergo potentially damaging temperature changes, moisture levels, and other threats that can be prevented simply by choosing a climate-controlled unit.

5. Uncertain Storage Term Length

In addition to situations where you know that your belongings will remain in storage for longer than six months, you may also want to consider a climate-controlled storage unit when you don’t know how long you’ll need the unit for.

You may sign your storage agreement in temperate spring weather, but if you know that your month-to-month contract may continue on into the first heat wave of the summer, you should consider the protection that a climate-controlled storage unit can offer your belongings.

If your self-storage needs fall into any of the categories listed above, consider opting for a climate-controlled storage unit.

For high-quality, climate-controlled storage units designed to safeguard your belongings against the humidity and warmth of the climate in and near New Port Richey, FL, trust Sentry Mini-Storage Inc.