How Do Climate-Controlled Storage Units Work?

Climate-controlled storage is a must if you live in a place with extreme weather swings or high humidity. These facilities are designed to keep conditions right for your more delicate or valuable items.

By maintaining steady temperatures and controlling humidity, they protect your belongings from damage caused by the elements. Let’s dive into how these climate-controlled storage units work and what you should know before choosing one.

What is a Climate-Controlled Storage Unit?

Climate-controlled storage units let you manage the temperature and humidity inside your unit, ensuring the perfect conditions for keeping your belongings safe.

High humidity can trap heat, while low humidity helps maintain cooler temperatures. That’s why controlling both temperature and humidity is crucial, especially when you’re storing items that need to stay in good condition over time.

Climate-Controlled Storage Options

• Ambient Storage: Keeps the temperature close to natural room conditions.
• Climate-Controlled Storage: Maintains temperatures between 13°C and 26°C.
• Refrigerated Storage: Keeps temperatures between 0°C and 13°C.
• Freezer Storage: Holds temperatures at 0°C or below.

How Do Climate-Controlled Storage Units Regulate Temperature?

Climate-controlled storage facilities use heating and cooling systems, like heating in the winter and air conditioning in the summer to maintain a consistent temperature range, along with humidifiers to control moisture levels.

Storage facilities with climate-controlled units usually guarantee that temperatures will stay within a specific range, often between 13°C and 26°C, and humidity levels will be kept around 55%. Some units even allow you to adjust the temperature and humidity yourself, so you can tailor the conditions to suit your belongings perfectly.

These systems constantly monitor and record data, triggering real-time alerts if something isn’t right. Professional monitoring runs 24/7, year-round, and the equipment is inspected and fine-tuned at least once or twice a year to match environmental conditions.

Do Climate-Controlled Storage Units Also Control Humidity?

Generally, yes. Humidity control is key because too much moisture can lead to mold, mildew, or even metal corrosion due to condensation. For example, in traditional storage, humidity can spike to 70% at night and drop to 30% during the day, but climate-controlled units keep it steady at around 50%. That’s why strict, ongoing control is so important for keeping your belongings safe.

What Items Should Be Stored in a Climate-Controlled Storage Unit?

You can store anything in a climate-controlled storage unit. However, anything that’s at risk of damage due to temperature fluxations or high humidity will benefit the most. If you’re storing any of the following items, it’s best to consider climate-controlled storage:

• Wooden furniture
• Leather furniture
• Metal
• Art
• Sculptures
• Electronics
• Carpet
• Fabrics
• Clothing
• Books
• Documents
• Photographs
• Antiques
• Collectibles
• Wine
• Vinyl
• Instruments
• Sporting equipment
• Medication
• Medical supplies

Many items people store can be easily damaged if they aren’t kept in a controlled environment with strict temperature and humidity limits.

For instance, moisture can warp, crack, or even rot wood, while also discolouring leather and making it more susceptible to mold and mildew. Electronics can rust over time and potentially become unsafe or unusable. Paper-based items, like photographs, can even deteriorate or lose their clarity.

Climate-controlled storage helps protect these items and keeps them in great shape for the long haul.

When Do You Need Climate-Controlled Storage?

There are many situations in which one might need climate-controlled storage. For instance, when moving or renovating, you often need to store valuable, delicate, or sensitive items, including many of the items we listed earlier.

That said, some things shouldn’t go into storage at all regardless of whether climate-controlled or not. This includes dangerous, flammable, or toxic substances, fragile items, and anything organic. These items aren’t suitable for storage and may require special handling.

When deciding on storage, think about what you’re storing and how long it will stay there. While some items can sit indefinitely, others might need to come out after a certain period to stay in good condition. Choose your storage option based on your specific needs and timeline.

Benefits of Climate-Controlled Units

If you’re in an area with extreme temperatures, high humidity, or salty ocean air, it’s not the best environment for storing delicate items. These conditions can take a toll on your belongings over time, and the risk of damage only grows.

That’s why it’s a good idea to choose climate-controlled storage from the start. These units provide a stable, controlled environment to keep your things safe. Depending on the local climate, they’re equipped with heating, cooling, and constant monitoring to ensure your items stay in top condition.

Protects Against Seasonal Weather Changes

People often opt for climate-controlled storage when they need to store belongings during extreme seasonal weather like the cold winters or the scorching hot summers we experience here in Toronto. Climate-controlled storage helps protect your belongings from drastic temperature drops and humidity changes that could cause serious damage.

Protects Irreplaceable Items

If you have items with sentimental or monetary value, climate-controlled units are your best option for keeping them safe. Whether it’s a prized collection or antique pieces that need special care, your belongings will be protected by controlling temperature and humidity changes within the unit.

Offers Peace of Mind

If you’re planning to rent storage for a year or more, choosing a climate-controlled unit is the safest bet for your belongings. Why? Toronto’s weather can shift a lot over a year. A climate-controlled unit adjusts to those changes, keeping your items protected no matter the season.

Why Does Climate-Controlled Storage Typically Cost More?

When calling around for storage options, you might notice that climate-controlled storage unit prices are a bit more than traditional ones—and there’s a good reason for that. These units come with features designed to keep your belongings safe, including:

• Extra Insulation: Extra insulation and sealing make these units airtight and energy-efficient.
• Indoor access: Most climate-controlled units are inside buildings, offering extra protection from the elements for your indoor storage unit.

While the price might be higher, these features provide additional peace of mind by keeping your items in the best possible condition.

Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing Climate-Controlled Storage

When considering climate-controlled storage, there’s no official industry standard or regulation for climate control. That’s why you should always ask about their specific temperature and humidity standards and what measures they take to maintain those levels. If possible, get this information in writing in case you need to refer to it later.

e The owners may not be legally responsible for damage to your items even if the self-storage facility offers climate-controlled storage. Be sure to carefully read your storage lease agreement. You’ll likely find a clause stating that, while they make reasonable efforts to prevent temperature extremes, they’re not liable for any damage to your belongings.

To protect your items, ask plenty of questions and thoroughly inspect the unit before moving your belongings in. Check for any signs of moisture or mildew both in the unit itself and on everything you plan to store to avoid mold or mildew issues down the line.

How Do You Know Climate-Controlled Storage is Right For You?

Climate-controlled storage units do come with an added cost, so it’s worth figuring out if they’re right for your belongings. Here are a couple of questions to ask yourself:

1. Are Your Items Sensitive to Temperature or Humidity?

Not everything needs a climate-controlled environment. If your items would do fine in a typical home garage or backyard shed, they’ll likely be okay without temperature or humidity regulation. However, some belongings, like the ones we mentioned earlier in this blog, tend to hold up better in a regulated environment. If you’re storing those kinds of items, climate-controlled storage is probably your best bet.

2. Do They Hold Significant Value or Sentimental Importance?

Think about the items you’re planning to store:

• Are they worth a lot of money, like antique furniture or electronics?
• Do they have sentimental value, like family photos or heirlooms?

Climate-controlled storage does cost more than regular units because of the specialized equipment used to maintain stable conditions. However, if you answered “yes” to either question, the extra protection is worth it. It helps ensure your items come out of storage in the same condition they went in.

If you answered “yes” to either question and need long-term storage, a climate-controlled unit is likely the way to go. It’s the best way to ensure your belongings stay safe and well-preserved.

FAQs

What Is The Ideal Temperature Range for a Climate-Controlled Storage Unit?

Generally, a good climate-controlled unit keeps temperatures between 13°C and 26°C and humidity levels below 55%. This range helps ensure your belongings stay safe and well-preserved. However, this temperature can vary depending on what you’re planning on storing within your unit.

Are Climate-Controlled Storage Units Energy-Efficient?

Yes, most climate-controlled facilities are built with energy efficiency in mind. They use insulated walls, energy-efficient HVAC systems, and airtight construction to maintain stable conditions while keeping energy use low. This not only helps the environment but also helps keep costs manageable. While climate-controlled storage might seem more expensive upfront, the protection it offers can save you money in the long run by preventing damage and avoiding costly repairs or replacements.

How XYZ Storage Can Help

Do you need a safe space for your temperature-sensitive items? We’ve got you covered! At XYZ Storage, we know how important secure and specialized storage is. All our locations offer temperature-controlled units for year-round comfort.  Ready to reserve a climate-controlled unit? Our process is quick and hassle-free and our team of storage experts is here to answer all your questions. Contact us today to get started!