Renting space at a personal storage facility has become a must for a growing number of U.S. households. In part, the surge of growth this industry is experiencing has been due to present economic conditions. Families that downsize often need to place belongings into some form of safe storage.

The Houston area, however, has seen a far more stable economy. Home foreclosures and job losses, compared to the rest of the nation, have been modest. Yet the demand for personal storage here has been increasing at a steady pace.

According to Peter Morris, head of BullsEye Storage, a Houston-owned and operated personal storage chain with six inside-the-Loop centers, “We are coming into our best months. Based on activity since the first of the year, we expect the demand for space to exceed projections.”

Renting storage space is an expense, but when extra space is needed, that expense becomes a necessity. Even so, storage experts like Morris agree five key considerations can save you money and make storing a safer, more pleasant experience.

First, according to the experts, it is important to get the most for your money. In personal storage that means the most space for the least dollar outlay. If you do not intend to be in and out of your storage space often, you may be willing to sacrifice convenience for lower rents. Storage centers in different parts of town have different rates. So you can probably drive a little and save a lot.

Look for new facilities. New facilities tend to have specials and, since the desire to fill spaces is strong, will probably negotiate rates. This is especially true for longer term (six months to a year) leases. Newer units will also have improved security systems.

Second, consider your personal safety. This is very important if you want to access your items in storage at off hours or at night. Select a storage facility that allows you to load or unload behind a secure fence and locked gate. Taking items from your car at a facility where anyone passing in the street can approach you is not a good idea.

Third, because it is Houston, ask the magic question. “Has this facility ever flooded?” If the answer is “yes” or even “not quite,” thank the manager and move on to higher ground.

Fourth, the best facilities have full-time managers who actually live on the premises. That means you are storing your items in a facility the manager considers home. So site upkeep, security camera maintenance, and other housekeeping issues don’t get put on a back burner.

Last, but far from least, remember that it is not how many square feet you lease, it is how many cubic feet you can use. A 10-foot by 10-foot space is 100 square feet. If the ceiling is 8-feet high, that is 800 cubic feet. If the ceiling is 10-feet high, that number rises to 1,000 cubic feet.

Since most facilities charge by the square foot, the rent for the unit with an 8-foot ceiling will be the same as for one with a 10-foot ceiling. You pay the same but get 25 percent more storage space.

In summary, if you locate a relatively new facility just outside a high rent district that offers tall ceilings, a safe loading area behind a locked gate, and a resident manager who will discuss a discount for a longer term lease, you’ll have all the ingredients for a most satisfactory personal storage experience.