Climate Vs Non-Climate

Storing Type


Christine
July 8th, 2022


** Disclaimer -The tips below are just a guideline, it is the sole decision of the occupant on rather they store their items in a climate or non-climate unit.
When storing there are a few opinions you need to consider before renting a unit. How much space you will need? Should you get Climate or Non- Climate Control for your items? How long will you be storing? Let’s focus on the Climate vs Non-Climate. Here are Storage Towne of America, we want to give our customers the needed information to make the best decision for their belongs. We like to say “Live without the things you want to keep”. You are placing your belongings in storage because you want to keep them, so, so lets look at some information that might help you decide what type of unit is best for your need’s.

Let’s start with the basic’s what is climate-controlled and non-climate control units?
Climate controlled storage units are located inside management-controlled temperature buildings, where the environment mimics optimum household conditions. The reasoning behind climate control storage is to store your belongings in the same atmosphere as in a home. These buildings also have additional barrier that help against dirt, debris, insects, and rodents.

Non-Climate storage units are drive up units, think of your garage, these units are exposed to all outside change. With nothing separating your belongings from elements of the outside except a thin metal wall, temperatures in non-climate-controlled units vary 20 or more degrees. That means anything in the unit is exposed to the outside heat, cold, humidity or moisture as it fluctuates throughout the seasons. Over time, the moisture and temperature fluctuation results in mold and mildew growth and other negative results for many of your stored items. These type units are more susceptible to dirt, debris, insects, and rodents because they don’t have the additional barriers like climate control. If storing outside furniture, gardening equipment, cars and recreational vehicles, clothing packed in sealed container, non-climate will work just fine.

Can your belongings withstand this type of temperature and moisture fluctuations?
Some factors when deciding if your belongings can withstand this type of temperature and moisture would be. How long you are plan on storing and what season it is, can play a big role on the type of unit to rent. If storing all year, your belongings will be exposed to all four seasons. Here in the Memphis Area, the temperature in the summertime gets extremely hot, if its 110-heat index inside the non-climate unit is easily 130-140 degree’s. During summer months, humidity also becomes a significant factor. Depending on what you are storing this may mean you might need to consider climate-controlled self-storage. On the other hand, if you just need it for a few months and these months are in the Fall, Winter or early Spring you might be able to consider the non-climate-controlled self-storage.

Why is Climate Controlled Storage Better?
If the items you plan to store are known to be temperature/humidity sensitive, are valuable or collectible, or have a great sentimental value, a climate-controlled storage is the best option. Climate-controlled units also always keep the moisture levels in units at an acceptable level. This is especially important in areas, like Memphis, which experience high humidity levels. By keeping the humidity level down, a climate-controlled environment helps to protect your stored items from moisture damage and mold growth. When the temperature outside soars, or drops below freezing, storage units without climate control will do the same.

Temperature and weather fluctuations can have a huge effect on your stored possessions. If the items you plan to store are temperature-sensitive or of high sentimental value, strongly consider keeping them in climate-controlled storage.

Below are some common items that often need climate-controlled storage.

  • Wood– Wooden objects like tables, chairs, and stringed instruments are susceptible to damage in both extreme heat and extreme cold. In heat, it can expand and crack. In the cold, wood can contract, causing it to crack when it thaws out again.
  • Electronics – Computers, speakers, cameras, and most other electronic devices are damaged beyond use after long-term exposure to humidity and extreme cold.
  • Media – DVDs, CDs, and vinyl records all lose image or sound quality in extreme heat. If you have treasured tunes or family videos, you’ll definitely want to keep them in climate-controlled storage.
  • Fabric – Items like clothes, stuffed toys, and upholstered furniture are at high risk of growing mold and mildew in a humid environment.
  • Metal – Moist air, especially when combined with extremely hot or cold temperatures, is a recipe or rust.
  • Paper – Books, newspapers, and photographs can yellow and fade in extreme temperatures, and can be ruined altogether while exposed to prolonged humidity.

Some Contents NOT Allowed to Store climate nor non-climate units

Food - Stored food (can products, flour, meat, pet food, etc) will rot, stink, and attract vermin. This includes boxes or containers that have previously help food, like banana or liquor boxes. They may not look like food, but they sure smell like it. So please do not use these types of boxes or store these items.

Scented or Wet Items - Strong scents (scented candles, lotions, body wash, perfume, taxidermy, etc.) can easily attract pests, insects, rodents or vermin to investigate the source of the overwhelming odors. Also, any items that are wet or damp will start producing mold, mildew and spread bacteria in your self-storage unit, and that will likely damage some, most or all of your prized possessions placed in temporary storage. First and foremost, make sure that every single item you plan to store in there is perfectly dry before you pack it up and leave it in your storage unit.

Stolen Items, Drugs or Illegal Activity - At no time should any stolen items, drugs, , and/or illegal activity ever be on brought to the facility property.

Combustible, Flammable, Hazardous or Toxic Materials - Considered “inherently dangerous,” these include gasoline, compressed gas, propane tanks, kerosene, lamp and motor oil, acid, grease, corrosives, fertilizers, paint, cleaners, chemicals, narcotics, or hazardous, toxic, or biological waste are not allowed to be stored in unit. You also cannot store fireworks or explosives.

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