The Advantages Of An Air-Conditioned Storage Unit

One of the most popular questions being asked at our self storage facilities is whether one really needs an air-conditioned storage unit.

The main concern that we ask our customers to think about is whether they would like their items to be of the same condition when they take them out in the future. While we understand that not all household items require a cool climate to maintain them, there are plenty of items that will get preserved better with an air-conditioned environment.

It is mostly humid in Singapore with some wet months and extreme heat in others. Such climate conditions can cause certain items to deteriorate. Do consider the biological contaminants that are present in the environment, which can have a negative effect on your items in storage. The main culprits being bacteria, viruses, dust mites, mildew and mold.

Here is a short list of household items that can suffer from quality degradation when exposed to the above contaminants.

Books, Paintings And Photo Albums (Items With Paper Material)

Anything that is made by paper is susceptible to paper rot when continually exposed to biological contaminants. Paper becomes yellowish, pages stick together and can become brittle. If mold and mildew blossom on paintings, they become ruined and unrecoverable.

Clothing And Fabric

It is important to note that clothes and fabric must be completely dry when first brought into storage. Any existing dampness will result in fungal growth, mildew and mold. When kept in an air-conditioned storage unit, clothes and fabric will remain dry, clean and odourless.

The same goes for mattresses. Not only will the fabric get destroyed by mold, the metal springs can become rusty and unusable.

Fine linen such as silk and velvet are especially prone to deterioration due to heat, humidity and environmental contaminants.

Wooden Furniture

Wood can deteriorate and rot quickly if left undisturbed in a hot and humid environment. You don't want this to happen to antiques with high value.

Musical Instruments

Wood rot can occur on wooden musical instruments such as acoustic guitars, violins and pianos. A hot environment can cause instruments such as cymbals, trumpets and trombones to constantly expand and contract, and this causes some form of damage. Some drums come with leather skins, and leather is highly susceptible to fungal growth if not kept in a cool environment.

When you consider the damage (and the associated costs of reinstatement) that can be caused in a non climate-controlled environment, it makes a lot of sense to store your household items in an air-conditioned storage unit. The additional cost of the air-conditioning is a far greater savings than the heartache of ruined household items and cost of reinstating to original condition.

It is important to note that air-conditioned storage units will benefit not only those items listed above, but really, everything that's of value that are kept in storage.