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To Heat Storage, or Not To Heat Storage?
Posted 03 September 2010Heated Storage Centres Are The Way Forward
Global warming, climate change, pollution, hole in the ozone layer: there are so many terms used to describe the changes in temperature and weather patterns we have been experiencing over the past 50 years, worldwide. Call the changes what you will however, regardless of the name applied, we have to deal with the fluctuating temperatures as a result. The concerns involved in temperature changes are particularly applicable to items being stored. With the United Kingdom having both a cold AND a wet climate, heated storage is one of the few ways forward when the storage and preservation of your worldly possessions is to be considered.
Although we are barely out of the summer months the UK weather’s reputation is such, for a reason. The temperature can change at the “drop of a hat” resulting in sudden frosts and on the flip-side, flooding when snow melts on higher ground. Although this is on a wider scale, items being stored are often subject to the same extremes. One of the biggest issues is the damage caused by moisture from condensation. Notorious for damaging electrical devices, soft furnishings, musical instruments, not to mention the irreversible damage caused to documents, condensation can often go un-noticed for significant periods of time; after which, it’s too late and the damage has already been done.
Prevention is by far better than cure so most reputable self storage companies are fully equipped to deal with this problem. Modern purpose built facilities will have heating systems integrated, with old centre’s having full systems installed to ensure they remain competitive within the industry. The use of the word “Heating” is the general term applied but the energy efficient systems are more of a temperature control, to maintain a constant temperature within the storage facility – preventing condensation forming in the first place.
Not only is this beneficial to individuals storing their household belongings, businesses who store archived documents are also thankful of storage facilities with temperature control. Legislative compliance, especially within legal and financial professions is paramount. The consequential loss encountered if a 50 year old legal document is destroyed is almost unquantifiable so the utmost care and welfare of these documents must be contemplated before storing. A damp garage is not the best place for items of such value to be kept so Self Storage companies provide the ideal solution to the dilemma in hand.
Regardless of whether you are storing business items, documents or are storing your worldly possessions, ensure the storage centre you use has at the very least cross-ventilated units to ensure there is sufficient air circulating within the facility; heated centres are by far the best choice if self storage is something you need!
All of our heating is run on thermostats to ensure it is only used when required, this also maintains a constant temperature: avoiding condensation developing, as well as preventing items “warping” (wooden furniture etc) due to fluctuations in temperature. All our storage facility lighting is sensor activated again, to ensure it is only used when actually required. All of staff are encouraged to reduce waste and recycling is in place where local facilities allow.
Not only does this aid towards the conservation process, from a commercial point of view this reduces costs immensely.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Kind regards,
The Alligator Team
I am a masters student at Edinburgh University, and am in the early research stage of writing my thesis. My thesis topic is based on how businesses are being affected, if at all, by climate change and global warming.
I was searching Google trying to find local businesses I could contact about this, when I stumbled upon this article. it is a fantastic example of how businesses are adapting to the changing needs of society in the light of environmental change.
However, the irony of this story is that energy use is one of the main contributors to pollution and environmental issues, yet increasing energy usage appears to be the only viable solution for customers who use self storage, given the climate within Scotland, and the rest of Britain.
What are Alligator Storage doing, if anything, to monitor or minimize this extra energy usage with heated storage units?
I would be extremely appreciative of any response to this question.
Aimee
