3 Basement Updates Ideal for Protecting Collectibles

Whether you collect baseball cards, action figures, or other items, the climate control in the area will make a big difference on the item condition. Learn about HVAC upgrades to help protect your collectibles for years into the future.

As you store collectibles, one of the main elements to worry about is humidity. High humidity levels can cause damage to collectibles. If you keep cases in their original cases, the plastic bubbles and cardboard can warp or change shape. Plastic toys can warp and excessive moisture could cause metal parts to rust.

To help reduce the humidity in the basement area, consider the installation of a ductless mini-split system. The air conditioning system provides cooling for your home without the need to install ducts throughout the house. A lack of ducts will help save space in the basement area while supplying the cool air.

The ductless system will connect to a wall and pipes will run directly to an air conditioning unit outside the home. Along with the basement, you can expand the ductless system to other rooms in your home.

While you want to cool down a basement in the summer, if the area becomes too cold, collectibles are in danger of damage as well. Cold temperatures can turn materials brittle, cause items to crack, and deteriorate the condition of items like toys.

Instead of using vents to blow direct heat on a collectible display, consider the installation of a radiant floor. A radiant floor is an electrical heat floor installed directly on the floor. The electrical coils expand around the whole area to provide heat. Radiant heat installers will cover up the area with flooring materials. 

When the room gets cold, you turn on the radiant heat and the heat will slowly rise to fill the area. If you use a device like a smart thermostat, you can control the temperatures to ensure your basement doesn't get too hot or cold. When the heat rises, it will fill the room with a comfortable temperature.

Not only are your collectibles protected, but you will be comfortable as you organize your items and set up new displays.

Another problem associated with collectibles is the build-up of dust. Dust can dirty collectibles and force you to clean them more often than needed. The cleaning can result in changes to the figures, including the chipping of paint or possible damage.  If you want to reduce the dust on your items, consider the installation of an air purifier system.

An air purifier will filter out dust particles and provide clean air for your collectible space. The air you breathe in will also improve as air purifiers will help eliminate pollutants in the air. The air purifier can also help reduce the humidity levels in the air and works well when installed with an air conditioner. 

Every purifier is different so you should follow instructions to properly clean out the filters and keep the purifier clean. When an HVAC company installs the device, they will go over step by step instructions to ensure your purifier runs perfectly and adds some extra protection to your collectibles.

For more information on HVAC upgrades, contact us at Comfort Technology Heating & Air Conditioning. We will help you set up an ideal basement area to protect your collectibles for the foreseeable future.