Store your belongings in a space designed to buffer them from Canada’s temperature extremes, so you can keep them in good shape without overthinking the weather.
What are Temperature-Controlled Units?
Many items handle storage better when they aren’t exposed to dramatic temperature swings. A temperature-controlled unit helps maintain a more moderate indoor environment throughout the year in the range of 10°C – 25°C, giving your belongings a stable place to be stored even as outdoor conditions shift from one extreme to the other.
It’s a practical storage option when you want a simple, consistent temperature – not too hot, not too cold – without the humidity-regulation feature of full climate control.
How Does Temperature-Controlled Storage Work?
Temperature-controlled storage focuses on managing temperature only. Your unit is located inside a building where heating and cooling systems prevent severe highs and lows. The goal isn’t to create a perfectly controlled “home-like” environment, but to provide a buffer from outdoor conditions that could otherwise put stress on certain items.
A key point: temperature control does not manage humidity. While stable temperatures may indirectly reduce some minor fluctuations, these units aren’t designed to prevent moisture-related issues. If you’re storing something that truly requires humidity management, climate-controlled storage is the more suitable choice.
How Temperature Fluctuations Affect Your Belongings
Even without humidity involved, extreme temperature shifts alone can cause problems such as:
- Warping or cracking: Delicate or vintage wood furniture, vinyl records, and certain instruments can change shape under hot-cold cycles.
- Heat damage: Plastics, candles, certain electronics, and adhesives can soften, warp, or discolour.
- Cold-related issues: Some electronics and batteries don’t tolerate freezing temperatures well.
These are the types of risks temperature-controlled storage is specifically designed to reduce.
What Temperature-Controlled Storage Doesn’t Address
Because humidity isn’t regulated, moisture-sensitive items may still be vulnerable. Temperature control alone is not guaranteed to eliminate the risk of:
- Mould or mildew
- Rust or corrosion
- Moisture damage to paper or photographs
- Deterioration of delicate fabrics
If humidity protection is essential for your stored goods, then climate control is the better fit.
What We Offer
- Temperature-controlled self-storage with heating and ventilation at most locations
- Competitive rates & amazing promos: Your first month’s rent is just $1
- Over 65 convenient locations across Canada, including one near you
- Security control and monitoring
- 8 different unit sizes or more to choose from at each facility
- Flexible month-to-month leases
What Can I Store in a Temperature-Controlled Storage Unit?
Temperature-controlled storage is ideal for items that react poorly to extreme heat or cold, but don’t require humidity management. It’s a smart choice for long-term or year-round storage of belongings that simply fare better in a moderate environment.
Items to consider include:
- Wood, leather, and upholstered furniture: Temperature swings still have the ability to stress these materials, especially in the absence of proper ventilation.
- Electronics & media: Some components can be sensitive to both intense heat and freezing cold, even without moisture involvement.
- Household items with adhesives or plastics: Items with glues, rubber, or plastic parts may warp or degrade in high heat.
- Everyday seasonal items: Holiday décor, sports equipment, recreational gear, and common articles of clothing are all examples of things that don’t require humidity protection.
If something does require moisture control – like art decor, archival documents, vintage photos, high-value instruments, or antiques – climate control is the safer route. As a further note, depending on their value, such items may in fact warrant a specialized storage solution for proper protection
Do You Need a Temperature-Controlled Self-Storage Unit?
As a good rule of thumb, if heat or cold alone could harm your items, temperature control is helpful – if humidity is a concern, temperature control may not be enough.
Then again, you may be storing items where temperature and climate are not necessarily a concern, especially when you’re only planning to store short-term or if your goods are sufficiently durable. In this case, you may be leaning toward a standard unit instead. If so, here are some essential steps that still help protect your belongings:
- Clean and dry everything first: This prevents unwanted moisture from entering the unit with any items that are still damp.
- Use proper packing supplies: Sturdy boxes, furniture covers, and bubble wrap go a long way to shield your items from potential damage while in storage.
- Allow for airflow: Avoid pressing items tightly against walls and floors; simple spacing enables ventilation and helps prevent trapped moisture.
- Keep items raised: Pallets or free-standing shelving help reduce direct contact with concrete floors or potential moisture buildup.
Temperature-Controlled vs. Climate-Controlled Storage
Here’s a clearer, more accurate comparison:
Temperature-Controlled Storage
- Regulates heat and cold.
- Protects items sensitive to temperature swings.
- Does not regulate humidity.
- Regulates temperature and
- Best for highly sensitive or moisture-vulnerable belongings.
Realistically, most everyday household items are well protected in temperature-controlled storage, but more moisture-sensitive items may require climate control.
Temperature-Controlled vs. Heated Storage
These two options serve different purposes:
Heated Storage:
- Provides heat only during winter.
- Prevents freezing but doesn’t offer dedicated summer cooling.
- Limited seasonal protection.
Temperature-Controlled Storage:
- Provides both heating and cooling.
- Maintains a moderate environment year-round.
Benefits of a Temperature-Controlled Storage Unit
If you choose temperature-controlled storage, here’s what you get:
- Protection from temperature extremes: A steady indoor environment helps prevent cracking, warping, overheating, and cold damage from affecting your stored goods.
- Better preservation of value: Items affected by heat or cold stay in better condition long-term. This is especially important if you’re storing business assets.
- Comfortable access: Visiting your unit is easier when you’re not battling extreme outdoor temperatures every time you want to access your stored items.
Temperature-Controlled Storage Facilities Near Me
Find a nearby Public Storage location to explore your temperature-controlled options and choose the unit that best fits your needs.
| Province | City | Public Storage Location |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | Calgary | 607 79th Ave SE |
| 2450 Centre Ave NE | ||
| 90 Country Hills Landing NW | ||
| 5075 26th Ave SE | ||
| 11278 36th St NE | ||
| British Columbia | New Westminster | 94 Braid St |
| Surrey | 12529 80th Ave | |
| 17555 64th Ave | ||
| Vancouver | 1698 W 3rd Ave | |
| 663 Terminal Ave | ||
| 111 Commercial Dr | ||
| Ontario | Brantford | 100 Elgin St |
| Cambridge | 16 High Ridge Ct | |
| Etobicoke | 36 Queen Elizabeth Blvd | |
| Guelph | 420 Elizabeth St | |
| Hamilton | 175 Hess St N | |
| Kitchener | 409 Weber St W | |
| 329 Stirling Ave S | ||
| Markham | 189 Bullock Dr | |
| Mississauga | 1750 Argentia Rd | |
| Oakville | 1333 North Service Rd W | |
| Ottawa | 3545 St Joseph Blvd | |
| Richmond Hill | 30 Brodie Dr | |
| Scarborough | 28 Estate Dr | |
| Vaughan | 201 Romina Dr | |
| Woodstock | 1310 Dundas St | |
| Quebec | Dorval | 2801 mtée. Saint-Rémi |
| LaSalle | 6701 boul. Newman | |
| Laval | 955 aut. Chomedey | |
| 3015 boul. Tessier | ||
| Montreal | 400, av. de la Salle | |
| 4340, boul. Métropolitain E. | ||
| 5555, rue d'Iberville | ||
| 9445 rue Jean-Pratt | ||
| 5605, ch. de la Côte-de-Liesse |
Using storage which maintains a safe temperature range throughout the year is the ultimate protection.
Did you know you can do permanent damage to a plasma TV by subjecting it to extreme temperatures? Like many modern electronic items, they contain sophisticated components which are sensitive to environmental conditions like heat and moisture. Want to learn more about storing? Check our handy FAQ page!
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