Meeting the needs of future tenants helps to gain their loyalty. Tenants will choose to remain at a self-storage facility for a long time if the business offers specific amenities they need. One of those necessary amenities is climate-controlled storage. Many tenants will need climate-controlled storage units today. This type of storage is in demand, especially in places with high heat and humidity.
First, let’s discuss the difference between temperature control and climate control. Temperature-controlled storage provides the ability to maintain the temperature in a storage unit. Temperature-controlled storage will provide heat or cool to the units. Climate-controlled storage offers the ability to also control the humidity in addition to the temperature. This would include a commercial HVAC unit along with a commercial dehumidifier. Let’s look at the reasons tenants may need climate-controlled storage.
- Protect against humidity
- Protect vintage and collectible items
- Protect wood items
- Maintain clothing quality for longer
Protect against humidity
Humidity is damaging for many items. In Florida, the most humid state in the country, humidity can wreak havoc on items left outside. Furniture can mold and mildew quicker, and it can also break down quicker. Collectible items can be ruined when humidity is unpredictable. Paper products can wrinkle and lose their value in humid conditions. Clothing can become musty and riddled with mildew in hot and wet conditions.
Many people are looking for wine storage to protect their collections. Humidity can damage a wine collection the same way that heat can.
Climate-controlled storage prevents many of these issues.
Protect vintage and collectible items.
Humidity damages vintage and collectible items. The old 1970s television set wrapped in wood that still works? Kept in a climate-controlled storage unit, you can hold onto that vintage piece for decades. The collection of records from the 1950s-1980s? They will be kept in pristine condition if stored in a climate-controlled space.
Vintage, antique, and other collectible items need climate control when stored.
Protect wood items
If furniture is being stored, climate-controlled storage is a must. Humidity can warp the wood, and moisture can grow dangerous mold that can’t be brought into a home. Mold spores are released into the air especially when a piece of furniture is disrupted, so bringing furniture with mold into a home is a health hazard.
Wood furniture needs climate-controlled storage.
Maintain clothing quality for longer.
Heat and moisture can break down clothing fibers. Mildew and musty storage smells can get into the fabric and are hard to remove. If you love the clothes you’re storing enough to store them indefinitely, find a climate-controlled storage option so that you’re protecting them from heat, humidity, and other elements.
What do I ask a self-storage business owner about their climate-controlled storage?
After you determine that the self-storage business you’re considering does have climate-controlled storage, the next question to ask is what type of dehumidifiers are used. There are generally two types of dehumidifiers used for commercial storage.
Desiccant Dehumidifiers
Desiccant dehumidifiers work a lot like a silica gel packet except on a bigger scale. By removing moisture from the air using heat already produced through other processes, owners can save a lot on their energy costs. This savings is often passed to the customer in lower rent. Desiccant dehumidifiers are not as effective in high-humidity areas like Florida.
Mechanical Dehumidifiers
Mechanical dehumidifiers are refrigerant units. They are the most common type used in commercial facilities. Refrigerant is used to remove humidity from the air. Although less energy efficient than the other option, mechanical humidifiers effectively manage extreme humidity.
The best practice for managing humidity is to keep humidity levels at 55%. Be sure to ask the self-storage owner what level they maintain in their facility.
As a business owner, it’s important to consider adding this amenity to an existing self-storage facility to better serve the needs of your tenants.
At Coastal Storage, we live and breathe self-storage. Our team of experts knows self-storage and works daily to connect our investors with new self-storage businesses. Call us today at 904-591-0140 to meet one of our experts and get started on your self-storage portfolio.