A wine cellar cooling unit can be set at any
temperature within the optimum range for successfully storing and
aging wines and these systems are built to cool the air slowly and
gently. They are designed to maintain humidity rather than
dehydrating the cellar, although sometimes additional humidification
may be required in extremely dry climates. These cooling units are
usually installed approximately eighteen inches from the top of the
room in order to achieve maximum cooling. The unit will also require
an unobstructed airflow and adequate ventilation to dissipate the
heat generated by the unit. These units are frequently vented into
an adjacent room and the venting space needs to be as large or
larger than the wine cellar.
It is also possible to install a split air system
into a wine cellar although this type of wine cellar cooling system
can be rather expensive with prices running into many thousands of
dollars. A split system has a separate evaporator and condenser
module with the condenser module mounted outside the wine cellar. A
split air system offers added flexibility when doing custom
installations or dealing with unusual site problems. Your cellar
must be properly insulated and vapor sealed for the unit to cool
effectively. This type of cooling system usually includes electronic
controls and a digital display.
There are many options available with split
system cooling including humidifiers, dehumidifiers and alarm units.
With the addition of these options, a split air system will provide
you with total control of your wine cellar refrigeration, albeit at
a substantial cost. Professional installation is required.
If you find that your wine is aging too rapidly
and feel that your cellar requires a cooling unit it is worthwhile
shopping around and comparing brands. There are few bargains,
however, you should be able to save money with a little research and
there is a substantial difference if price between the major brands.
The
Wine Enthusiast website is a
useful place to start your
research.
