Pricing Revealed: What You Can Expect To Pay For Climate Controlled Storage

We have all been there. Your parents just tried to sell your old Pokemon cards in their garage sale. Now it is time to find a safe place for them to live for the next 20 years. (The cards not your parents).

If you were not aware, they actually have climate-controlled storage facilities for sensitive items like photos, electronics, and of course, collectibles.

In this article, we explain everything you need to know about climate-controlled storage and how it can benefit you in the long term.

Climate control simply means that the temperature and humidity of a building are regulated.

Typically for storage, this means anywhere from 55 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Humidity is a major factor in item degradation over time and a safe humidity level for most items is around 50%.

You can probably think of a few sensitive items in your house that would benefit from staying relatively cool and dry.

For some, a standard storage unit can do the trick.

But for many others, certain items will require a little more care, especially if you’re storing your things for an extended period.

Climate conditions around the country vary wildly, which can mean the same thing for your storage unit.

Types of Items Needing Climate Control:

Specific items that benefit from climate control include:

• Electronics and appliances: To prevent damage from moisture and extreme temperatures.

• Artwork or photos: Climate control will avoid fading, warping, and other temperature or humidity damage.

• Important documents and books: To protect from deterioration and mold.

• Musical instruments: To maintain their structural integrity and sound quality​

Anything can be kept in a climate-controlled unit, and if pricing is the same as regular storage, it is a good idea to store anything in a climate-controlled environment for the long term. However, if you have to make a decision, these are the types of items you will want to store first.

• Antiques and family heirlooms: Precious objects you want to preserve for the next generation are excellent candidates for climate-controlled storage. Things like newspaper clippings, old photos or antique furniture should go straight into the climate-controlled unit.

• Anything made of paper: Paper of all types are more delicate than people imagine. Whether it is important documents, favorite books, or Pokemon cards, it is no secret that a climate-controlled environment is the best place to preserve these items. Not only that, but these facilities are typically higher quality with better security than an average unit.

• Plastic, wax, and vinyl: Plastics are notoriously resilient except in the face of heat. Things like CDs, records, and candles are easily irreparable when exposed to high temperatures. They are no match for the heat experienced in a standard unit during hotter months.

• Art and musical instruments: Although made from different materials, both of these types of items value comes from maintaining a high level of precision. In a hot and humid storage unit, paintings can begin to run and instruments tend to warp over time.

• Medical supplies and cosmetics: More items that require high precision to be effective are medical supplies and cosmetics. Extreme temperatures can render both of these types of items obsolete and completely useless.

• Fabrics, clothing, and linens: Fabrics are probably the most resilient besides plastic on this list but are prone to mold if humidity levels are too high. Adornments on specific items can also possibly warp if conditions are too extreme.

While any item will deteriorate on its own over time, adding heat and moisture will accelerate any harmful chemical reactions happening by a considerable amount.

When temperatures rise, molecules move faster and collide more frequently, causing more reactions to happen in a shorter period of time.

High humidity means more water vapor in the air and can also speed up harmful reactions because water is a key component for all chemical and biological processes.

Having comfortable temps and moderate humidity keeps item degradation at its slowest rate, preserving your things for the longest amount of time possible.

Climate control is especially important in areas that experience extreme weather conditions and seasonal changes.

Here are some specific zones that will benefit most from climate-controlled storage:

1. Regions with extreme temperature fluctuation

Areas that are especially hot during the summer and get frigid during winter are great candidates for climate-controlled storage. Materials like wood and plastic will expand and contract the most in these scenarios and are prone to cracks and warping.

2. High Humidity Areas

Locations with high humidity like coastal towns benefit a lot when considering climate-controlled storage to prevent mold, mildew, and corrosion. High humidity will damage electronics, paper, fabric, and wood.

3. Low Humidity Areas

Conversely, very dry conditions are also problematic. If it is too dry, wood can splinter and sensitive devices like musical instruments and photographs can be damaged.

4. Urban Areas

Urban environments have limited space and extreme microclimates due to the concrete and building density. Climate-controlled storage can prove to be much safer for sensitive items in contrast to staying in apartments or small homes.

5. Areas With Harsh Winters

Cold regions where temperatures drop drastically during winter can utilize climate-controlled storage to protect items sensitive to freezing temperatures like electronics.

Examples of Beneficial Locations

• Southeastern U.S.: Known for high humidity and hot summers.

• Northeastern U.S.: Experiences significant temperature variations and cold winters.

• Southwestern U.S.: Known for extremely dry and hot conditions.

• Coastal Regions: High humidity and salt air can cause rapid deterioration of many materials.

If you plan to store your items for a long period of time, we recommend using a climate-controlled storage unit.

Since they are so affordable and the benefits far outweigh the minimal cost increase, there is little reason to skimp, especially if you have sensitive objects to store.