Choosing a storage unit usually starts with thinking about the size of the unit you'll need. It's also important to think about the conditions inside the unit. This has nothing to do with cleanliness or security but more about whether the space has any form of climate control. Many facilities offer the option of renting a climate-controlled storage unit. Unsurprisingly, these are a little more expensive than a traditional unit. So what does that extra money get you?
Temperature and Humidity
Climate-controlled storage is about moderating the temperature and relative humidity inside the unit. This approach shares some similarities with how the items were stored inside your home. Your home has insulation to regulate its temperature, keeping warm air in during the colder months, and retaining cooler air in the summer. Your heating or cooling methods also allow you to regulate the temperature and humidity inside your home. It's similar inside a climate-controlled storage unit, only that the temperature and humidity are configured to protect your possessions, instead of for the comfort of a human inhabitant. But what's the point of storing your possessions in this way?
How Storage Affects Your Possessions
Prolonged exposure to excessive humidity can easily encourage the growth of mold and mildew on upholstery and many other surfaces. A lack of protection from the outside temperature can cause the interior of a storage unit to heat up, and the wooden components of the sofa will react accordingly. Similarly, books and anything paper will react to temperature and humidity. Uncontrolled humidity is also not safe for electronic devices. Still, it can be difficult to know if climate control is worth the extra cost.
The Length of Time
So much depends on what will be going into the storage unit, and how long you plan to keep it there. A lack of climate control will begin to degrade certain items inside a storage unit, but this doesn't happen overnight. If you're only storing items for a short period of time, then a traditional unit may be perfectly sufficient for your needs. However, if you are storing items for an extended period of time, then climate control is definitely worth the expense. It's all about being able to open your storage unit after a number of months and know that the items will be in the same state as when you first put them inside.
In short, yes, climate-controlled storage units are worth the expense, but the length of the storage period plays a role. For more information, contact a storage facility in your area, such as Route 88 Storage, that offers climate-controlled storage units.
