Are you a homeowner who is planning to move out or are looking to declutter and free up some space? Chances are that you have spoken to a few people and have gone online to search for the best temporary storage solutions. You will come across plenty of companies offering storage units but knowing which type you need is crucial. There are essentially two options, standard storage, and climate-controlled storage. While the first is less expensive and also more readily available than climate-controlled storage, there are some perks to getting it. Therefore before investing, you need to understand all features and considerations which make climate-controlled storage the right choice.
Storing away your things can be a scary thought because there is often a risk that you might not find them in the same condition as you left them in. Several factors, such as temperature, moisture, and pest infestations, can come into play, causing significant damage. If you live in extreme weather conditions like the northeastern U.S. state, Maine where the risk of flooding or dampness is high, and are simply looking to preserve your valuables for a long time, then a climate controlled storage Maine-bound is the answer.
If you’re on the lookout for storage units, read on as this article will talk about everything you need to know about how climate-controlled storage units work, what needs to be stored in them, and everything you need to consider before renting one out.
How Do Climate-Controlled Storage Units Work?
Before deciding whether you need to rent out a climate-controlled storage unit, you need to understand the science behind how they work. Also called temperature-controlled storage, these units are built to keep temperature and humidity levels in check. The aim is to keep the temperature constant at an average of around 55 to 85 degrees all year round, which is the temperature found in our homes. Temperature and humidity are kept in check to ensure low moisture levels inside the storage. High levels of both can lead to moisture seeping in, which causes damage to the items stored, so having a steady temperature and tight insulation prevents this from happening. Such facilities may be less readily available but can be found in certain indoor storage facilities. You can also try your luck with outdoor units and see if they provide a climate control option.
What Valuables Should Be Stored In a Climate-controlled Storage
Now that you have understood how climate-controlled storage units work, you should also be aware which household items need to be stored in one. Knowing this will prevent you from making the wrong choice when selecting storage options and save you the money spent on potential damages. Mostly all items can do well in climate control, but then some items absolutely need it. Let’s talk about the big ones.
Clothing
If you’re stowing away heavy winter clothes to make space for a summer wardrobe, the chances are that you will be putting them away in storage in plastic bags. Clothes, especially those made out of leather, are in danger of catching mold or mildew at even the slightest exposure to moisture. If this happens, you will have to discard all items and end up wasting a lot of money. Keeping clothes in climate-controlled settings will help prevent this from happening.
Furniture
Furniture is an expensive household item that cannot easily be purchased again and again. If you need to store it away, you need to be sure that the conditions are just right. Furniture, mostly if made from leather, is prone to catching mold if the surroundings are damp. Wooden furniture is also likely to crack due to moisture causing it to rot. When this happens, the pieces become unusable because it is nearly impossible to get the mold out and even the musty smell cast due to the rot. A unit that prevents moisture build-up will keep furniture and any other items made from wood and leather protected against mold and rot.
Appliances and Electronics
Just like other household items, storage units often become home to electronic items and appliances. Being stored away without being put to use runs a risk for damage, but what harms them more is moisture build-up. Humidity causes internal wiring to rust and causes the device to stop working altogether. Moisture can even cause the build-up of mold and fungus inside appliances such as refrigerators, which is a serious health concern. Once such items face damage, you will likely have to replace or dispose of them altogether, which is expensive and not affordable for anyone. Keeping them in a unit that keeps moisture levels in check will increase their lifespan in storage significantly.
Other Considerations To Keep In Mind
By now, you must have realized that any item that is mildly susceptible to spoilage due to moisture needs to be stored away in a climate-controlled setting, so if you plan to put away such items for a long time, then consider renting one out. Location is also a key consideration. Suppose you live in a city that experiences extreme temperatures. In that case, you need to check if climate storage is available so that your items experience steady temperature and humidity levels throughout. Even if your storage location itself is hot and humid, then don’t opt for regular storage at all. Find one that is close to where you live so that it is easy to drive back and forth when need be. Be sure to check if the unit has a strong security system such as individual alarms and protected entry. You also need to think about which companies offer climate-controlled storage and at what price. Do your research online and go for the one with the best reviews. They might end up costing 25 to 50 percent more than regular storage, but the benefits they offer are worth it.
Parting Thoughts
If you are looking to put away your valuables, be sure to find the best possible solution for them. Climate-controlled storage is ideal if you want to protect your items and save money having to repurchase items all over again if they get destroyed in normal conditions.
Do you own a climate-controlled storage unit? Any tips on how to keep your items safe for a while. Let us know in the comments below.
