Electronics are the most heat-sensitive items you’ll ever put in storage. They’re also among the most expensive to replace. A mid-range laptop costs $800. A decent TV is $600. Put those in an un-cooled storage unit in Tulsa in July and you’ll lose all of it.

An un-cooled storage unit in Oklahoma summer can hit 130°F. That’s not an exaggeration — that’s regular. At 130°F, the components inside electronics start failing in ways that are permanent and irreversible.

Capacitors help regulate power in circuits. Above 100°F they start to fail. By 130°F, failure is a matter of time. A failed capacitor means the whole device stops working.

Solder joints hold circuit boards together. High heat softens solder. The joints weaken and a board that worked fine in a cool environment may fail when powered on after heat exposure.

LCD screens delaminate — the layers separate. Polarizer films degrade. A screen that looks fine going in might be useless coming out.

Lithium batteries swell in heat. A swollen battery is a fire risk and can damage the device it’s installed in.

Hard drives are particularly fragile. Mechanical platters can warp. The reading arm can misalign. Data corruption and drive failure happen. None of this is reversible.

Back up everything. Laptops, external hard drives, tablets, phones. You’re storing equipment that might fail. Your data shouldn’t fail with it. This is non-negotiable.

Remove batteries from small devices. Remote controls, wireless keyboards, game controllers. A battery sitting in a storage unit for six months can leak and corrode the contacts. Pop them out and store separately.

For lithium batteries, discharge to 40–60% charge. Storing a fully charged lithium battery in heat is a fire hazard. Storing it completely dead can permanently damage the battery. Charge your laptop to 60%, then store it. Takes two minutes.

Clean the electronics. Dust buildup traps heat. Clean the vents on your laptop, the back of your TV, and any air intake with compressed air or a soft brush. Don’t use a wet cloth.

Original boxes are best. If you still have the original box and packing material, use them. They’re designed for protection. If not, use double-walled boxes or boxes specifically for electronics.

Wrap screens in anti-static bubble wrap. The screen is the most fragile part. Wrap it separately. Anti-static material costs a dollar more and prevents static discharge damage. Don’t use newspaper or plain plastic wrap that can stick to screens.

Pad everything else. Bubble wrap, foam padding, or old towels. Leave a layer between the device and the box to protect against vibration and shifting boxes.

Label everything clearly. “Laptop Computer,” “TV 55 inch,” “FRAGILE,” “THIS SIDE UP.” Include serial numbers if you have them. Take photos of boxes labeled and stacked. Store the list and photos in cloud storage — not in your storage unit.

A climate-controlled unit maintains 60–75°F year-round. That’s the environment electronics need. It’s not a luxury — it’s a requirement.

Don’t try to save $30 a month on climate control and lose $600 on a TV. A climate-controlled 10×10 unit runs about $180–220 per month in Tulsa. An un-cooled unit runs about $110. That’s $70 more per month for insurance on your electronics. If you’re storing even one laptop or one TV, that’s the deal you take.

Flat-screen TVs: Store upright — never face down. The weight pressing on the panel in heat causes delamination. Use a TV box with padding. Leave space so the TV isn’t touching the sides.

Computers and laptops: Store in a padded box. Don’t stack anything on top. If storing a desktop long-term (12+ months), remove the hard drive and keep it at home — hard drives fail from a combination of vibration and heat.

Printers: Remove ink cartridges. Heat dries ink and clogs heads. Toner cartridges in laser printers can also fail in heat. Store cartridges separately.

Gaming consoles: Box with padding. Leave good ventilation around the box — don’t seal it completely.

External hard drives: Padded box with anti-static material. No heavy items on top. Climate control is essential.

Speakers and audio: More heat-tolerant than other electronics but still benefit from climate control. Pad well and protect from vibration.

Sources: U.S. Self-Storage Association · Consumer Electronics Association · Click Storage facility data, April 2026