Attics, garages and sheds are all used for domestic storage – but these uninsulated spaces are not the best environment for certain items. This is because they are prone to fluctuations in temperature and humidity as the weather changes.
It’s common to find your attic is much warmer (in summer) or cooler (in winter) than the rest of your house, and the effect is also noticeable in sheds and garages.
Some storage companies offer climate control, which keeps the temperature constant no matter what the weather is doing outside. You may be wondering why your stuff needs air conditioning, particularly as it tends to be the higher-end facilities that offer climate-controlled storage, usually for a higher-end price. Not everyone will need temperature-controlled storage, but there are some benefits.
Advantages of a stable storage environment
A storage room with a steady environment will keep your goods at a stable temperature. This will protect them from stresses caused by materials expanding and contracting in response to temperature changes.
Climate-controlled storage and good ventilation will eliminate environmental condensation and damp. Sudden rises or falls in air temperature caused by the UK’s changing weather will affect the humidity levels in your storage facility. These changes, combined with poor ventilation can promote a damp environment because of condensation. Air conditioning and climate control will keep your stored goods at a constant level of humidity, preventing condensation and reducing damp.
Another benefit of climate control is that it reduces dust. Climate-controlled facilities are usually sealed, so less dust gets into the building.
Storage companies offering climate control will keep the temperature and humidity of your unit at levels which are unfriendly to pests such as clothes moths. These pests prefer a warm environment (about 20 degrees C) with relatively high humidity.
Which materials are most at risk from extremes of temperature?
Materials like wood expand and contract as the temperature changes. This can lead to furniture joints becoming loosened over time, or cabinet doors sticking. But metal, and electronics can also be affected by rises and falls in the environmental temperature.
Why is my stored stuff damp and musty?
If you know that your stored goods were dry when you put them in, and there is no leakage or flooding in the building, then it’s likely you have a condensation problem.
Condensation forms when warm, damp air touches a cold surface – like the outer wall of an uninsulated storage space. This can promote a damp environment, particularly if you are not able to visit regularly to air your stored goods.
When you insure your stored domestic goods with Store and Insure, you will be covered if the facility has a flood or a leak. Get a quick quote to see how much it should cost to insure your stored domestic goods.
Which domestic goods are best kept in climate-controlled storage facilities?
Some of your possessions are more sensitive to changing levels of humidity or extremes of temperature than others. These include:
- heirloom textiles such as handmade quilts, family christening robes or antique samplers
- artwork, particularly paintings on silk and cultural objects that originate from a different climate
- older photographs and film
- vinyl records and tapes
- electronic equipment such as audio-visual equipment, white goods, computers and gaming consols
- musical instruments
- clothing and shoes
- antique furniture
Is climate-controlled storage worth it?
Whether or not you want to use a facility with climate-controlled storage is a personal choice. We would always recommend getting quotes from several storage facilities to find out how much storage will cost each month.
If you know you are storing pricy or sentimental items that will be affected by changes in temperature, then you will definitely benefit from a climate-controlled facility.
