Guide to storing heat sensitive items
Storage is your best friend during the process of moving. Extremely high heat? Not so much, since it can seriously damage or even ruin your prized possessions. Make sure to have this factor in mind when moving from or to a place with a hot climate. This guide will teach you everything you need to know about storing heat sensitive items.
Climate controlled storage explained
This type of storage maintains constant humidity and temperature levels ranging from 55 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. You can most often find them in storage North Hampton NH facilities with indoor units. Temperature and humidity equal moisture. The more heat you have, the more humidity there is and vice versa. Keeping both these factors under control means that your items stay moisture-free and well protected.
Which items classify as heat sensitive items?
A number of things can be sensitive to temperature because of the material they’re made of, their age, or just their importance.
Heat sensitivity is an issue with, among others, the following things:
- Furniture or other items made out of metal, leather, wicker, wood, etc.
- Artwork
- Electronics and media
- Documents
- Antiques
- Wine
- Musical instruments
- Photos
- Clothing
- Household gadgets (storing heat sensitive items like this the wrong way can be dangerous!)
- Collectibles
- Medications
- Cosmetics and toiletries
Pretty much all items will benefit from climate controlled storage, but for some it is mandatory. Wood will crack and rot, leather will get discolored and prone to mildew and mold, paper items can disintegrate and become illegible and clothes can become unusable if not packed properly. So if you have a lot of sensitive belongings, consider professional packing services to ensure their safety.
Other reasons for storing heat sensitive items in climate-controlled storage
Sometimes it is not about the things stored but about other factors, like time, climate, etc.
Items will be stored for a long time
If you have decided that the items will be stored for a few months, a year, or longer, it is safe to say that the temperatures will vary a lot. It might be 70 degrees outside when you leave your belongings, but it won’t stay like that in the long run. Make sure to pick a climate-controlled unit from movers Amesbury MA, if this is the case.
The place where you are storing heat sensitive items has a hot and humid climate
Provided that your desired storage place has a hot climate then it is in your best interest to try to minimalize those factors. Outside conditions are sneaky when it comes to damaging your possessions so it’s better to prevent them altogether. Valuable, irreplaceable items are always better off in a climate-controlled unit run by a reliable moving company. In this case, it is better to be safe than sorry.
What is the cost of this type of storage?
The price is 25% to 50% higher than the price of a standard storage unit. To rent a standard unit for a month, you would have to pay, on average, $88, while the climate-controlled one ranges from $100 to $120 for a month. Keep in mind that these storage costs are just average. Fees vary depending on location and service provider, so make sure to investigate the exact location where you plan to store your items. But if you are storing items of value, it will be worth the extra cost.
The reason why there is a cost difference between these two types of storage units is the technology. Climate-controlled storage requires special systems that need to be installed, maintained, and powered. Taking all that into consideration, it is understandable why these units are more expensive.
Conclusion
You want to avoid stress as much as possible, in every aspect of life. Moving is a stressful process, but knowing that you did the right thing by storing heat sensitive items properly, you will be at ease. So if you have valuable belongings that don’t do well with big temperature changes, definitely consider climate-controlled storage.