Increasing Energy Efficiency of Self-Storage Facilities

The building envelope of a Denver storage facilities can save the owners boat loads of cash, or cost them greatly. Energy costs aren't the only concern when discussing the facilities envelope. The comfort of the storage clients is also dependent on the building design as well. In the summer storage units can become ovens with internal temperatures rising to 20 and even 30 degrees above the outside temperature and in the winter stored items, especially electronics, could be damaged from the cold. Properly sealing and insulating the facilities envelope helps keep precipitation out and stored items safe.

Storage units are rarely air tight. The envelope (or floor, ceiling and walls) of Denver storage lockers often let in dust and dirt. The walls on self-storage units are typicall made of thin metals, like aluminum or masonry walls. Most of the wall space on these units are part of the garage-style door. These doors are made of thin metal and usually aren't insulated at all.

If you live in a climate similar to that in Denver, Colorado you need to think about climate controlled storage lockers. Denver has a wide range of extreme weather including snow storms and extreme heat. That means that you need a storage facility that can protect against water damage and extreme temperature fluctuations. Insulation is the best way to keep Denver storage units at a reasonable temperature.

To insulate the facility first you can insulate the walls and piers of the building. There are a few ways to add insulation to the interior of these walls. For masonry walls you can add insulation to the cells that aren't filled with grout or use furring strips to the inside of the walls and foam-board insulation between them. If you are looking for a more finished look for your storage facility, covering the insulation with gypsum board will help you to achieve that look. Spray foam insulation is another great option for insulating self-storage units. If the buildings are constructed from metal, the foam insulation is a great option among many.

Another great way to increase the energy efficiency and comfort of your storage units is to install insulated doors. Using insulated doors will help keep warm air inside in the winter and out in the summer. When tenants open their units, your effort to insulate the space is wasted, but if you're worried about open doors you can install a flexible air dam that will create an artificial wall that lessens the loss of conditioned air. Next to open doors, conditioned air is lost most quickly through the roof. Even in more mild climates, insulated roofs help to slow energy loss. The best method of insulation for self-storage roofs is spray-on foam. The spray insulation provides an air tight seal as it insulates the space. Since most items in self-storage lockers are kept on the floor, keeping this space at a controlled temperature is imperative. You do not have to heat the facility to keep it warm enough for storage. You can keep the self-storage sheds at about 50 degerees just by jkeeping them properly insulated.