New York City Document Storage

What are the benefits of climate-controlled storage? Does Morgan Manhattan offer it? Should I pay extra for a temperature-controlled environment?

Many newer storage facilities these days tout their "climate-controlled" conditions as a benefit. Most of these facilities either already had HVAC systems in place before they became storage facilities or the developer included them in the plan for the warehouse because the long-term strategy for the building (i.e. to eventually become an office building) will require it.

The fact of the matter is that a climate-controlled environment is usually much more important to the comfort of the people who spend time in the facility than the safekeeping of the things that are in there!
Certainly, some special items might benefit from heating and air conditioning but virtually all of the items that we normally store for our customers – including museums, art galleries, oil painting restorers, antique stores, antique collectors, and homeowners – do not require this expensive luxury. If you feel you absolutely must have climate-controlled storage we have facilities that are both heated and air-conditioned.

Before you make your decision, consider this. According to Wikipedia:
Early commercial applications of air conditioning were manufactured to cool air for industrial processing rather than personal comfort. In 1902 the first modern electrical air conditioning was invented by Willis Haviland Carrier. Designed to improve manufacturing process control in a printing plant, his invention controlled not only temperature but also humidity. The low heat and humidity were to help maintain consistent paper dimensions and ink alignment. Later Carrier's technology was applied to increase productivity in the workplace, and The Carrier Air Conditioning Company of America was formed to meet rising demand. Over time air conditioning came to be used to improve comfort in homes and automobiles. Residential sales expanded dramatically in the 1950s.

Therefore an antique, made in 1851, likely survived its first 100 years without the benefit of air conditioning! The more important environmental control needed for good, safe, long-term storage is humidity control. Not "low humidity" (i.e. too dry) – consistent, mid-range humidity. The ultimate, real-world, no speculation answer to the question "Should I pay extra for a temperature-controlled environment?" can be summed up as follows... We have an extensive list of long-time customers who have stored their valuable items with Morgan Manhattan in non-climate-controlled facilities – sometimes for decades and decades and decades – with absolutely no problems due to the general environment.