Climate Controlled Storage for the Summer Months

Climate Controlled Storage is not something you think about when you’re taking some time off to travel Europe. It’s your first time leaving the country and you can’t wait. The beauty and adventure of the coastal city of Barcelona, the timelessness of the Roman ruins, the famous towers and buildings of Paris, drive you to such excitement you think you might burst.

But looking online at places to rent a storage unit, you start to worry. How do you know that everything will survive for a year, especially with the heat and humidity of summer on its way?

Perhaps there’s something you haven’t considered. A climate controlled storage unit can put your mind at ease if you have any worries about the corruption or heat damage of your property. It not only manages the temperature inside the unit but also keeps humidity under control and helps to regulate air quality and dust.

However, with the expenses of your travel, paying extra for the climate controlled unit may not be sitting too well with you, so here are some things to consider when deciding whether or not you need a climate controlled storage unit:

Climate Controlled Storage – What do you want to store?

A lot of things can be damaged by changing temperatures or the high humidity and heat of the summer. Papers can deteriorate, metals can rust, wood can rot, and mold and mildew can grow in your appliances, books, and even your clothes. Certain furniture can have drastic reactions to humidity and extreme temperatures, whether it be a wooden table or a leather sofa. You especially want to consider if you have any of the finer things being stored such as wines, artworks, sentimental childhood photos, or even your grandma’s special silverware that’s been in the family for years. All can experience damage through the changing temperatures and heavy humidity.

Climate Controlled Storage – How long are you storing them for?

Do you think that you’ll be gone for six months? A year? Ten? Or do you have no idea? No matter what, you’ll want to consider what sorts of seasons this storage unit will be facing. As the summer heat sweeps the Northern Hemisphere you’ll want to consider the effects that scorching temperatures might have on your more valuable items or even your everyday objects.

Climate Controlled Storage – Does your region experience extreme temperatures?

A lot can happen to the contents of your storage unit as the temperatures rise to blazing heat and drop to frigid cold. Leather furniture can tense up in reaction to the winter but loosen as summer rolls back in, resulting in the wearing of the material. Metals, such as that in coins or appliances can rust, crack, and warp from exposure to strong temperatures. Screens and the internal components of your electronics can also rust or deteriorate. Climate control is almost necessary if you want to store things such as wine, which accelerates in aging when exposed to temperature change, as well as photos and books. High temperatures can cause your photos to run and blend together if stacked on top of each other. Even documents and books can become unreadable after enough time in an uncontrolled climate space as the pages start to yellow and distort in extreme heat.

Climate Controlled Storage – Is there high humidity?

High humidity is another demon of summer storage, often resulting in mold and water damage in many household items. Wood is particularly sensitive to high humidity; things such as furniture will crack and rot while wooden instruments will start to distort or even grow mold. Even brass instruments become home to bacteria in high heat and humidity. The moisture can result in cracked and rusted structures of microwaves and dishwashers. High build-ups of this moisture can be as damaging to electronics and wires as if you spilled water on them directly. Certain special collections you may have like stamps or comics may start to curl and ruin under harsh humidity and mold can build up in books and documents. Even your clothes aren’t safe. To avoid the mold and mildew, a gross occurrence in high humidity, you may want to pack your clothes in a plastic bin to help ensure their protections against the moisture.

Climate Controlled Storage – Making your decision

If you need to store one or more of these items (and it is likely you do) climate control is a must. Protecting the integrity of family photos and the usability of your appliances and furniture is vital to getting the most out of your storage space. If you can’t protect your items from rust, mold, and corruption, then what’s the point? The benefits to keeping all your belongings safe while you’re out on your own expeditions will be well worth the extra cost you pay to keep them in a climate-controlled environment.

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