JVS Heated Storage

Why have heated, climate controlled storage?

There are many every day items that need special attention in storage, particularly those sensitive to temperature fluctuations and humidity. These items need climate-controlled storage.

What is a climate controlled storage? It’s a storage feature that keeps a unit’s indoor temperature between 10° to 20° C year-round and maintains a relatively consistent humidity level, generally the lower, the better.

So what kind of items should be kept in a climate-controlled storage unit? Take a look.


1) ELECTRONICS

From TVs and computers to recording equipment, you might be filling your storage unit with some expensive electronics. With climate control, you can reduce the chance of damage to your electronics while they sit in storage, especially when they’re being stored in areas prone to major temperature shifts. The screens and internal components of plasma in particular don’t do well with temperatures on the extreme ends of the thermometer.

But it’s not just drastic temperature changes that can damage electronics. Choosing to store electronics in a standard storage unit or portable unit may work for a short time, but over time, the moisture that accumulates as a result of rising humidity levels can have the same effect as a direct water spill. Internal parts can rust, and wiring can break completely.

2) WOODEN FURNITURE

When exposed to too much moisture over time, and extreme temperature changes, wood can crack, warp, or rot. For anyone storing wooden furniture like bed frames, tables and chairs, end tables, nightstands, dressers, entertainment centers, and more, this makes having climate-controlled storage absolutely necessary.

3) LEATHER FURNITURE

Leather is sensitive to swings of hot and cold, so that’s a big issue when you’re living in an area with extreme seasonal temperature changes as found in the Temiskaming Shores area.

Temperature control is an important safeguard for pricey leather pieces. Leather that’s stored in portable units or not stored in a climate-controlled unit is also more susceptible to moisture, which can discolor the pieces and cause mildew.

4) HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES

Washers, dryers, dishwashers, ovens, microwaves, and refrigerators all need climate-controlled storage in regions that experience extreme heat or cold, like Temiskaming Shores. That’s because climate control protects electronic and mechanical parts from cracking and rust that could cause permanent damage.

Even though you should thoroughly clean and dry the appliances (as well as remove water hoses) before storing them, climate control can aid in stopping mold and mildew from building up inside appliances, too.

5) PHOTOS

When storing photos, climate control is a must. If temperatures get too high in an area where photos are stacked on top of one another, the prints can blend together and deteriorate.

6) CLOTHING

When you’re swapping out summer dresses for sweaters or storing a wedding gown, climate-controlled storage can keep your clothes in good shape. After you’ve cleaned everything thoroughly—a step in clothing storage, it’s important to maintain the temperature and humidity levels inside your unit.

The last thing you want is mold and mildew finding their way to your clothing in storage, especially if they’ll be sitting unattended for several months.

7) BUSINESS DOCUMENTS & INVENTORY

Businesses have a lot of documents to file and store.

With file storage, it doesn’t matter whether you’re storing files in boxes or file cabinets. A climate-controlled unit is the only thing standing between humidity and documents, which will fade, discolor, or dissolve with exposure to moisture. Climate control is good for any business storing inventory as well. That’s because it’s crucial to uphold the quality of the items your business intends to sell, and the easiest way to do that is to utilize a climate-controlled unit.

8) MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

Musical instruments, though sometimes large, are very delicate and need to be handled with great care. Whether it’s short-term or long-term storage for instruments, temperature control is a must.

Percussion

Let’s use a standard piano as an example of a percussion instrument in storage (It’s also a string instrument, too, which means it needs extra care). Pianos can be damaged very easily by extreme temperatures and humidity, both of which can ruin a piano’s strings, keys, and wooden exterior over time. The strings are also not rust-proof by any means. If not stored in a climate-controlled unit, they can become rusted and corroded. If it is made of wood, the wood will expand or contract in either hot or cold weather.”

Strings

An acoustic guitar is a good example of a string instrument that can be damaged by temperature and humidity. Like a piano, its strings can snap when kept in the wrong conditions. High temperatures can also cause a major problem for the glues and adhesives that hold the instrument together.

Brass

Areas with high heat and humidity can take a toll on brass instruments, like trumpets. Bacteria growth and corrosion in the trumpet accelerate.

Though a properly cleaned, oiled, and packed trumpet is generally unaffected by weather, a trumpet in long-term storage could have issues, as certain materials found in trumpets break down when exposed to extreme temperatures changes.  Materials like felt, rubber, and cork that are used in some trumpets may break down faster under these conditions.


9) SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

The point of collecting certain items is to preserve them for years to come. Temperature control can help with that preservation. Everything from coins, stamps, and comics needs to be stored in a climate-controlled environment to prevent damage caused by temperature changes and humidity.

Coins

Coins should be kept as close to a constant temperature and humidity level as possible. Too much exposure to extreme temperatures and humidity can start the oxidation process, which ruins the metals used in coins.

Copper and silver in particular are at risk of tarnishing.

Stamps

Storing a stamp collection in a climate-controlled storage unit is important if you live in a region where the humidity is high, and there are extreme temperature differences from summer to winter as frequently occurs in the Temiskaming Shores area.

Once stamps have been exposed to high temperature and humidity, they will curl and stick.”

Ultimately they will depreciate in value.

Comics

Much like the pages of a stamp album, the pages of comic books are also susceptible to damage if left in an environment where moisture can find its way to the pages.

Comic books—usually those that are older and rarer—can’t handle moisture or extreme temperature changes.

10) ARTWORK

Whether it’s fine frescoes or a Pinterest-inspired craft, climate-controlled storage is a good idea for artwork and art supplies. Even if you’re keeping artwork in file cabinets or diameter tubes in your unit, it’s important to maintain the unit’s temperature.

Also, crafting equipment, like sewing machines, can use a little TLC (that is, tender loving climate control) as well. Sewing machines have belts inside that can shrink and expand with extreme temperatures, so a relatively even temperature is helpful.

This list shows some items that need climate control, but the truth is that climate-controlled storage is beneficial for almost all self storage ventures.