Wine Cellar Cooling Unit Comparison
So, you are constructing a new wine cellar and need a new cellar unit for it? Or, perhaps you simply need to replace your old wine cellar cooling unit. We have compiled a large database of information to help make your decision easier. Whether you need a fully ducted wine cellar cooler, through-wall, or partially ducted system, WineCellarCooler is here to help. We encourage all of our customers to take their time reading through the various wine cellar cooling unit reviews. Feel free to reach out to us for help specifying the best wine cellar cooler for your needs.
What Size Cellar Cooling Unit?
So, the first step in determining what wine cellar cooler to buy is to calculate the size of your wine cellar. First, you will need to get the square footage of the room. (length * width). Next, multiply this number by the height of the room. For example, a 8’x10′ wine cellar is 80 sq. ft. If the cellar has 8′ ceiling then 80*8= 640 cubic feet.
Finally, you have the number necessary to determine what size wine cellar cooling unit you need to buy. Also, it is generally a better idea to buy up in size if you are on the upper limit of a cellar cooling units capacity. Yet, this will also depend on how well insulated your wine cellar is. Another reason to upsize your unit would be if you know up front that the cellar door will frequently be opened. Entering the wine cellar often results in the cellar cooling unit needing to work more.
Finally, now we’ve determined what size cellar cooling unit is needed. Check out our more in depth cellar cooling unit comparisons.
- Small Cellar Unit Comparison Chart
- Medium Size Cellar Cooling Unit Comparison Chart
- Large Cellar Cooling Unit Comparison Chart
Cellar Cooling Unit Temperature Delta
Moving on, the second most important factor to determine is what your temperature delta needs to be. This is determined on what environment you exhaust your wine cooling unit to. Usually, the higher the temperature delta of the wine cooling unit, the higher the price tag. However, depending on how you will be setting up your wine cellar cooling unit, you may not need too high of a temperature delta. This depends greatly on how (if at all) the wine cellar cooler is ducted. The condenser exhaust will be generating heat that it must exhaust somewhere. So where will your condenser exhaust be? Usually, this will be the room adjacent to your wine cellar unless you are going with a fully ducted model.
So, read this example to better understand what temperature delta you need. A wine cellar refrigeration unit with a 30° differential will be capable of maintaining a temperature of 60°F in the wine cellar IF the maximum exhaust environment ambient temperature is no more than 90°F. So, if you are exhausting your cellar refrigeration unit to the adjacent room it is unlikely that the room’s ambient air will be above this temperature. Just be sure to remember that the exhaust will be causing the room’s temperature to rise over what it would normally be.
The temperature differential becomes more of a concern for people who are planning to duct their wine cellar cooling unit through the wall directly outside. Particularly homes or business located in warm climates. So, if this is the situation you are in, consider looking for a unit with a high temperature delta such as 55°F. This would allow the ambient air outside to reach 110°F yet still cool your wine cellar to 55°F.
Cellar Cooling Unit Installation Type
Determining the installation type needed for your new wine cellar cooling unit will depend on where you have room to install the wine cooler. Usually, smaller wine cellars install a through-wall style wine cooler unit. Also, split-system wine coolers are very popular if you have a good location to place the condenser unit (less than 100 line feet away). Yet another factor to consider is the noise that will be generated. If you are concerned about a high noise level in your wine cellar, see if a fully ducted system will work for you. Because, in a fully ducted system the entire wine cellar cooler unit is located away from the wine cellar. In addition, most split systems also offer fairly quiet levels of sound when running.
