In their infancy, self storage facilities were just a slab of concrete with metal walls and a roof. Not much thought was put into the security or the amenities or the aesthetics of the buildings. But as the industry has grown, so has the competition. Owners have had to carve their own niche in the market in order to remain profitable. Offering climate controlled storage units to customers is a very popular feature that storage companies now provide to help fill that niche. Having a climate controlled storage facility gives an owner an edge, putting their location a step above what the competitor down the street has available.

Climate controlled storage units are cooled during the summer months and heated in the wintertime.  This helps to protect the stored items from extreme temperature swings, from very hot to cold and back again. These excessive swings can warp furniture, mess up leather, and ruin a lot of other items in storage. Climate controlled storage spaces are usually kept between 55 and 83 degrees Fahrenheit, even though there is no set rule. This helps to alleviate damage due to severe changes in temperatures.

Storing goods in a non-climate controlled storage unit is like putting everything into a regular garage.  The hotter the temperature gets outdoors the hotter it gets inside of the unit. High temperatures can cause candles and holiday decorations to melt, record albums to warp, and humans working in the unit to swelter and to become terribly uncomfortable.

Controlling the temperatures in climate controlled storage facilities also helps to keep the humidity levels more consistent. The higher the temperature gets, the lower the humidity levels, causing the air to get too dry. This is because when the air is hot the molecules spread apart, providing room for water molecules to evaporate, lowering the humidity level. Too little moisture in the air will cause fine woods to separate and paint to crack. On the flip side, too much humidity is also problematic. Condensation will form, causing water to sit on the items stored in the unit. This high humidity can bring about corrosion to metals and other materials. It also creates a great environment for the growth of mold and mildew. 

Climate controlled storage keeps the temperature fairly steady, and thus helps to control the humidity levels as well. This is all good news for treasures stowed away in a climate controlled storage unit, and also for anyone spending much time inside of the space.

Climate controlled storage became more popular in the 1990s. One reason is because self storage companies purchased large vacated buildings such as abandoned warehouses and empty big box stores.  These structures were simply an eyesore in the community until being brought back to life as a climate controlled storage facility.  These climate controlled storage buildings were already equipped with heating and air conditioning capabilities from the previous occupier, so turning it into a climate controlled storage facility was a natural. This was a win-win situation for both the neighborhood and the climate controlled storage facility proprietor. These vacant buildings worked really well as climate controlled storage facilities.  They were located close to residential areas, and had easy access from highways and main roads. Surveys show that a convenient location is the number one reason why people choose a local self storage facility. These converted buildings had other plusses going for them as well. There were fewer entrances to the building than with a traditional self storage structure, which made for better security.  Fewer entrances also meant less dust and dirt from the outside would get inside of the structure, and less bugs and rodents were able to gain access from the outdoors.

Today, demographics make a difference as to how well a climate controlled storage facility will be received in an area. Neighborhoods with a higher disposable income level usually store higher end items such as electronics, artwork, and quality furniture. Customers in these areas are more likely to spend the extra money for a climate controlled storage unit for their belongings. 

Obviously, not everything requires climate controlled storage. But for some items climate controlled storage is extremely important. This includes personal property like photographs, antiques, musical instruments, etc. Bedding, clothing, and mattresses should be put in climate controlled storage to help alleviate a musty smell.

Businesses also benefit a great deal from renting climate controlled storage. Salespeople storing pharmaceutical supplies, cosmetic samples, and drug store items all usually must have a climate controlled storage unit. Files and records need to be put into a climate controlled storage unit to keep papers from turning yellow and brittle.

And of course anyone that is planning on spending a great deal of time in their rental space will want climate controlled storage for their own wellbeing. Packing, organizing, or sorting through files can be very uncomfortable if the storage unit is below freezing, and even worse if it is a hundred degrees!

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