There's another thread around here where someone was discussing installing a light controller indoors, you might search for that. The swcg controller that I've got has a transformer in the control box and puts out a good amount of heat. Here in Florida, air conditioning is both required almost year round and expensive on the electric bill. Personally, I wouldn't want the controller inside my house for that reason. If you've got a pool house/shed, that might be a good spot to mount it. As you're thinking, keeping the stuff out of the elements should prolong the lifespan. I've been thinking of constructing some sort of enclosure around the pads all my stuff is sitting on for that reason.