Depending on where you woke up this morning, the weather may be slightly to massively cooler than the months previous. The cooler weather has us thinking about heated storage for cold climates. For many, climate-controlled storage brings to mind cooled storage units in hot climates. That isn’t always the case, as cooler climates offer heated storage to protect your items from the freezing temperatures and moisture outside. For your items sensitive to cold temperatures, a heated storage unit may be the best solution.
Storage for Items Sensitive to Cold Temperatures
Our climate-controlled self storage units are maintained within a set temperature range in order to provide the ideal environment for your items. These units are typically inside a building in order to provide the best protection from the elements. We regulate these units within a range of 55 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you live in a colder region, we recommend using heated storage for items sensitive to cold temperatures. You may be wondering, what items should be stored in heated storage versus traditional storage. Climate controlled storage may be used to help protect:
- Appliances — Electrical and mechanical components in refrigerators, washers and dryers, ovens, dishwashers and microwaves can possibly be damaged by freezing temperatures.
- Art and Music Instruments — Frigid climates can damage even the most sturdy of instruments like a piano. The strings, wood and inner-workings of musical instruments have the potential to be damaged by extreme changes in temperature. Artwork, as well as crafting supplies, should be stored to protect them from moisture and sunlight exposure.
- Battery-Operated Devices — Anything with batteries, from small handheld items to car batteries, should be stored in climate-controlled storage during the cold winter months. Freezing temperatures can cause the liquid in battery cells to freeze, then crack from expansion.
- Collections — From your vinyl record collection to the comic books you’ve been holding on to since childhood, climate-controlled storage keeps them at a consistent temperature, preserving them for years to come.
- Electronics — Internal components of electronics may become damaged when temperatures dip below freezing.
- Photos and Documents — Extreme temperatures can cause photographs and documents to fade or become discolored, even when stored in boxes or filing cabinets.
- Wood or Leather Furniture — Wood furniture can warp or crack when exposed to the cold or to humidity and moisture. Leather furniture can dry out and become discolored.
Heated Storage at SPS
At SPS, cooled, or air-conditioned, units are found in regions with a higher heat index, like many of our Southern California and Nevada storage facilities. Heated storage units and temperature-controlled buildings are more common in parts of the country with colder winter months, like some of our facilities in Maryland and Virginia. Find an SPS location with climate-controlled storage and view current availability for personal or business storage before the temperature drops even lower. Stay warm and stay safe!