Climate Control Self Storage Units

Do you need Climate-Controlled Storage?

Why Is Climate-Controlled Storage Necessary?

Climate control at a storage facility means that specific units are kept within a set temperature range to protect sensitive belongings from extreme heat or cold. The Storage Mall offers climate-controlled units in various locations throughout several states. If you’re unsure if you need climate-controlled storage, we provide more information to help you determine whether it is right for your needs.

What is Climate-Controlled Storage?

Climate control in a storage facility means that certain units are specially designed to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the year. These temperature-controlled units help protect delicate belongings from damage caused by extreme heat, cold, or sudden temperature changes. In a climate-controlled storage facility, temperatures are usually kept between 65°F and 85°F, making them ideal for storing sensitive items such as electronics, documents, and furniture. Many people use climate-controlled units as boat storage facilities or as storage for cars to protect them from extreme temperatures and humidity that could damage finishes or delicate components.

The Benefits of Climate-Controlled Storage

Protection from Extreme Weather Conditions

Whether it’s 100-degree heat or below-freezing cold, extreme temperature changes can severely damage sensitive items stored in a non-regulated environment. These conditions may cause warping, cracking, mold growth, or deterioration over time. By choosing a climate-controlled storage unit, your belongings are better protected from extreme temperatures and remain in a more stable, secure environment year-round.

Personal Comfort

A climate-controlled unit at a storage facility doesn’t just offer protection in a regulated environment for your belongings. It also makes visiting your storage unit on hot and cold days more comfortable for you. Because most storage units with climate control are located inside a storage facility (rather than accessible outdoors, such as a drive-up unit), there are additional layers of privacy and protection for your stored goods.

Prevents Damage to Your Belongings

While climate-controlled spaces offer added protection compared to standard units, their long-term value comes from helping preserve the condition of your belongings. By maintaining a stable environment, climate control reduces the risk of damage caused by temperature fluctuations and humidity. Climate control can do the following:

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

Types of Climate-Controlled Storage

Climate control is heated in the winter (to around 55-65 degrees) and cooled during the summer (to around 70-75 degrees). While this setup does not actively regulate humidity, most climate-controlled units are located inside enclosed buildings, which naturally helps keep humidity levels more consistent — similar to those found in a typical home. Here is more information about the types of climate control at a storage facility:

Air-Cooled Storage

In states where extreme heat is prevalent year-round, air-cooled storage blows air-conditioned or cold air through self-storage units using water vapor. It’s an 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. Such items include books, vinyl records, or even a wedding dress.

Heated Storage

In regions where extreme heat is uncommon but winters are consistently cold, heated storage units at a storage facility are often used to address low-temperature conditions. These units help maintain a warmer internal environment during colder months, reducing the risk of damage caused by freezing temperatures. This type of storage is ideal for items that may be sensitive to prolonged cold exposure.

Humidity-Controlled Storage

If you need to store delicate items that require a specific humidity range, humidity-controlled storage may be appropriate. This type of storage is designed to help maintain consistent moisture levels that can reduce the risk of damage. When contacting a storage facility, it is key to ask specifically whether humidity-controlled units are available to make sure your storage needs are met.

Items that need Climate-Controlled Storage

Electronics & Media

When storing electronics and media, take care to avoid extreme conditions altogether. Extended exposure to high humidity damages most electronics, and exposure to extreme heat or cold is not recommended. Some items that benefit from climate control include TVs, computers, gaming systems, stereos, and cameras. Certain materials can even warp or melt if conditions are too harsh. DVDs, records, Blu-rays, and other media are also susceptible to damage from humidity. Other items that benefit from climate control at a storage facility include cassettes and negatives.

Furniture

When storing furniture, remember 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. Proper storage and care are necessary to maintain the quality of your furniture when keeping it at a storage facility for extended periods.

Artwork

Moisture and drastic temperature changes are the enemies 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. Temperature and humidity regulation are especially necessary for pieces made from natural materials like wood, canvas, or textiles.

Books & Newspapers

Climate-controlled storage helps maintain a stable environment for paper-based items. Because temperature and humidity fluctuations accelerate fading and warping, a regulated unit can help slow these processes. It prevents mold growth on newspapers, and it also protects rare books from becoming brittle over time.

Musical Instruments

Climate-controlled storage helps protect musical instruments from damage caused by extreme conditions. Because changes in humidity and temperature can cause wood to crack, metal to corrode, or strings to warp, a stable environment is key for preserving their condition. This type of storage safeguards both the appearance and sound quality of your instruments, and it also reduces the risk of inconvenient repairs or replacements.

Collectibles and antiques

Most collectible and antique items, such as artwork, coin collections, stamp collections, and more, should be kept in stable, ideal storage conditions. Climate-controlled storage provides consistent temperature and humidity, which helps prevent warping or other forms of deterioration. While this type of storage is commonly used for delicate items, it is also beneficial for specialty storage for cars and boat storage facilities, as extreme temperatures and humidity can damage finishes and interior materials. Using climate-controlled units verifies that both your collectibles and vehicles remain in the best possible condition over time.

Our Current Climate-Controlled Storage Units:

New York

Illinois

Kentucky

Missouri

Wisconsin

Find Reliable Storage for Cars and Other Items

The Storage Mall offers easy solutions for individuals who need storage for cars, boat storage facilities, and other items. We also provide helpful tools like our size guide or storage calculator to help with the process of finding an appropriate storage unit. Contact our team today with any questions about the rental process.