Self-storage facilities have never been more popular, and it seems that there is one popping up on every corner. If you are in the market to rent a unit, you may be trying to decide if you need to secure one with climate control, or if a standard unit will do the job. The answer to this question depends on a number of factors, so we will dive into this question in greater detail below.
What Does Climate Controlled Storage Do?
When you rent a climate-controlled unit, as opposed to a standard unit at a self-storage facility, you can count on the air inside that unit being managed at a comfortable temperature. The settings will likely vary from place to place, but the heating and cooling that is offered will dramatically reduce the swings in temperature that can occur otherwise in such a unit.
This is particularly useful if the items you’re storing require a steady temperature, like delicate fabrics or artwork. Temperature controlled storage is also helpful if you live in a part of the country that is prone to wild swings in temperature throughout the year. For instance, someone living in a southern state might want climate control to cut down on the overbearing heat that can be present in the summer months. Without this feature, the inside of a storage unit on a hot July afternoon could be downright sweltering.
Is Climate Controlled Storage Necessary?
As humans, it certainly sounds nice to us to spend time in a climate-controlled space, rather than one that has extremely high or low temperatures at different times. But storage units are not residential facilities. This is a place to keep your things, not yourself, so the important decision here is whether or not the things you store will benefit from temperature control. And, unfortunately, the answer to that question varies dramatically from one situation to the next.
It all comes down to what you plan to store in the unit. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Consider your local weather. Is extreme weather common in your area? If so, climate control may well be worth the additional investment. Residents of less dramatic climates might not need to spend the money, however, especially when living in a place that rarely gets very hot. It’s typically the heat more than the cold that damages stored items, so you might be able to skip this extra expense if your local weather rarely soars beyond 90F.
- Items at risk. Perhaps the biggest factor in this discussion is what you plan to store. Certain types of items are at a higher risk for damage in a standard storage unit than if you placed them in a climate-controlled setting. For example, if you have costly electrical equipment going into storage, that’s a good reason to look for climate control. Likewise, pieces of art or wood furniture may be better off with climate controlled storage.
- Duration of storage. How long will your items be living in a storage facility? If the stay is only going to be a short one, and it won’t be taking place during a particularly hot or cold time of year, you can probably save the money and skip this feature. On the other hand, if this will be the long-term home for some of your items, climate control could allow them to remain in better condition, as long as you have room in the budget for the pricier storage option.
Every Situation Is Unique
For some people, a climate-controlled storage unit will be necessary to preserve the condition of what will be kept inside. In other cases, however, paying extra for climate control would be a waste and a standard unit would work just fine.
Look to Carports for Storage
Before you rent a storage unit, consider the possibility of building a metal carport on your own property to store your things. Building a carport provides ease of access to your items, as well as other parking and storage benefits. To customize and design your own carport, explore our Build & Price tool today. We are also happy to help you directly, so feel free to contact us to get answers to your questions from a member of our team. Thanks for stopping by American Carports, Inc.!
