Storage containers placed in climate-controlled environments help preserve leather couches and other items that are sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity.
Around this time of year, storage units come in handy for people who have excess stuff that they don't want cluttering up their homes. While many items can be placed in storage containers and left outside in winter, it's sometimes preferable to place them in a stable, heated environment.
You pay a higher premium to rent a space with temperature control but protecting your possessions is priceless. Sometimes it's necessary to preserve items that could otherwise get damaged in freezing temperatures.
What Is Climate-controlled Storage?
Companies like Space Centre Storage offer heated storage units in Kelowna. We also give our customers the option of storing MI-BOX portable storage containers indoors at our facilities.
With either option, temperatures are set to no less than 12 degrees Celsius. Humidity is also maintained at an optimal level to keep items from either drying out or developing mildew from too much moisture.
To help you decide which items would be ideal for the heated storage units Kelowna residents depend on to keep their possessions safe, our experts have come up with this list.
1. Wooden Furniture
Even though it's no longer part of a living plant, the wood used to make furniture requires a certain amount of moisture. Too much and it can start to swell, crack, warp and rot. This applies to almost any kind of furniture:
- Bed frames
- Tables
- Chairs
- Dressers
- Nightstands
- Entertainment centres
2. Leather Furniture
Leather is sensitive to swings of hot and cold. Given its value, it's a good idea to protect leather furniture when you place it in storage. If you're not storing it in a climate-controlled container, the material can become discoloured and is more prone to mildew.
3. Household Appliances
Today's feature-laden appliances are sophisticated pieces of technology. As such, they contain many electronic components in addition to their mechanical parts.
To protect them from rust and cracking due to excessive cold, we recommend that you arrange to have a storage container for your appliances to be kept indoors. This includes:
- Washers
- Dryers
- Ovens
- Microwaves
- Fridges
- Dishwashers
4. Coins & Stamps
Collectible items such as coins and stamps typically increase in value over time. However, if you fail to maintain them, their value can diminish. A temperature-controlled environment is an ideal way to ensure they're preserved for years to come.
For coins, this is important because extremes in temperature and humidity can hasten the oxidation process, which tarnishes their appearance. Stamps that are exposed to high temperature and/or humidity can curl, fade and discolour.
5. Musical Instruments
Musical instruments can sometimes be worth a small fortune, and should therefore be treated with the utmost care. Whether they're made of wood, brass or some other type of exotic material, many instruments are sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity.
If you're thinking of placing your possessions in a storage unit, read our post: Kelowna Self Storage Tips: How to Pack Your Belongings Effectively.
Do you need a climate-controlled environment to store your precious belongings? Space Centre Storage offers a range of storage units and storage containers that are temperature controlled to protect your assets. Come and visit our facility to see what's available!