With demand for extra space strong across the U.S., the self storage industry only knows one way — forward. As developers seek new ways to optimize business operations and reduce their impact on the built environment, sustainable construction practices have emerged as a top priority.
Ecofriendly construction isn’t just good for the planet — it’s a smart business move. Not only does it help cut costs and attract ecoconscious customers, but it also minimizes the carbon footprint of self storage developments. In states like California, Texas and New York, developers can also benefit from government incentives for ecofriendly construction — an added perk as building costs continue to climb. From energy-efficient designs and ecofriendly materials to optimized operations, sustainability in self storage construction leads to facilities that are both environmentally responsible and financially viable.
Want to jump-start your green strategy? We’ve compiled a set of guiding principles for sustainable construction practices to give you a clearer idea of what it takes to create greener, more ecofriendly self storage developments.
1. Repurpose and upgrade instead of building from scratch
The most sustainable building is the one that already exists. That’s one of the reasons why adaptive reuse in self storage is so popular right now — repurposing an existing structure to minimize waste and reduce material consumption is generally far better for the environment than building a brand-new facility.
For older facilities, retrofitting is another green option. Upgrading insulation, windows and HVAC systems can significantly cut energy use while extending the building’s lifecycle.
2. Design smart for energy efficiency
Good design choices from the start can make a huge difference in a facility’s energy use and sustainability.
- Circular construction: A circular economy keeps materials and products in use for as long as possible by reducing material use. When designing a circular construction for a self storage facility, you should aim to use materials that can be disassembled and reused at the end of their lifespan, rather than wasted.
- Modular units: Use preassembled components to reduce waste and speed up construction. As an industry example, MODULAR Mini Storage has made this strategy the center of its green practices.
- Passive design strategies: Strategic placement of entrances and ventilation can reduce the need for climate control. For example, positioning entrances to face south can help naturally melt snow in colder climates. This strategy would put less pressure on your climate-controlled units.
- Climate resilience: Facilities in areas prone to extreme weather should incorporate flood-resistant foundations, hurricane-proof materials or fire-resistant landscaping to withstand environmental challenges. You should also regularly review your plans in case of natural disasters.
- Biophilic design: Add green walls, natural ventilation or other nature-inspired elements to improve air quality and create a more pleasant environment for customers and employees alike.
3. Choose sustainable materials
Every material used in construction carries a carbon footprint, so selecting sustainable options is key.
- Recyclable and renewable materials: Opt for steel, sustainably sourced wood and low-VOC concrete — meaning concrete that releases little to no volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere. You can also try using new alternatives like hempcrete, mycelium insulation or cross-laminated timber (CLT) to further reduce emissions.
- Energy-efficient insulation: High-performance insulation materials help regulate indoor temperatures, reducing the need for heating and cooling.
4. Upgrade to energy-efficient lighting
Lighting is one of the easiest areas to make sustainable improvements.
- LED bulbs: By switching to LED lights, you can cut energy consumption by up to 75% and reduce maintenance costs since LEDs last much longer than traditional bulbs. You’ll see the benefits in your ROI.
- Motion-activated lighting: Installing motion sensors in low-traffic areas ensures that lights are on only when needed, reducing unnecessary energy use.
4. Go solar and store energy smartly
With their large, flat rooftops, self storage facilities are perfect candidates for solar power.
- Maximize roof space: Solar panels can generate clean energy to power operations, significantly cutting electricity costs. In fact, you can do it for free: Some of the largest self storage companies have already leased their rooftop space to solar-energy developers like Solar Landscape, which has installed solar panels on top of a number of facilities.
- Financial benefits: If you install solar panels instead of leasing out the rooftop space to a solar-energy developer, the initial cost of solar installation can be high. Still, the tax credits, government incentives and energy buyback programs can make it a worthwhile investment.
- Battery storage: You can add a battery system to store excess solar energy and use it during peak demand times, which will help you reduce costs and increase energy reliability.
6. Make the most of your insulation, roofing and even pavement
Both insulation and roofing go a long way toward helping you save energy, but permeable pavements are also useful for facilities in areas with heavy rainfall.
- Cool and green roofs: Reflective materials prevent heat buildup, while green roofs improve insulation and manage rainwater. Some self storage companies have already implemented this change to great success. For instance, The Nelson Group included a green roof in their self storage development proposal, which got a priority review status in the permitting process.
- Permeable pavements: This option is great for self storage, as it prevents gravel from spreading all over the place and has a built-in drainage system (thus eliminating the need for extra drainage grates).
- High-quality insulation: R-30 continuous insulation for roofs helps maintain stable indoor temperatures and reduces energy demands.
7. Set up water conservation and sustainable landscaping
Water usage is a subtle part of your self storage facility, but that doesn’t make it any less important.
- Low-flow fixtures: Although self storage facilities don’t use up too much water, you should know that water-efficient faucets, toilets and urinals lower consumption and lead to savings in the long run.
- Drought-resistant landscaping: Xeriscaping minimizes water use by incorporating rocks and native vegetation, which is a great way to keep your facility’s landscaping looking sharp even in areas that risk droughts. Should your facility be in an area with a lot of rainfall, stormwater management techniques reduce flooding risks.
To further reduce the environmental impact while maintaining beautiful landscapes in and around self storage facilities, use landscape maintenance software. Such tools allow for efficient scheduling, reducing fuel consumption for maintenance routes and minimizing paper use through digital contracts and proposals.
8. Reduce waste with paperless operations and recycling
Your ecofriendly ethos can also come through the small things, like going paperless.
- Going paperless: Digital contracts, e-signatures and cloud-based storage improve efficiency and cut paper waste.
- Ecofriendly packaging: Stocking biodegradable or reusable packing materials provides an additional revenue stream.
9. Pursue sustainable certifications and digital operations
LEED-certified buildings are still going strong in the U.S., and that includes self storage facilities.
- Green certifications: Achieving LEED, Living Building Challenge or BREEAM certification enhances credibility. Major companies have already made leaps in this regard — for example, Public Storage claims to hold 134 green-certified buildings.
- Smart energy management systems: Automated lighting, smart thermostats and energy audits can optimize your facility’s performance.
- Net-zero energy goals: Some self storage companies aim to generate as much energy as they consume through solar power, efficient HVAC and insulation.
Going green in the self storage industry does two things at once: It protects the planet and your long-run ROI. Sustainable practices lead to lower operating costs and increased customer appeal, all while keeping you in compliance with evolving environmental regulations. And let’s face it — going green now will save you many headaches down the line, especially if you take the steps to protect your facilities from the impact of climate change.
