Wine is best enjoyed when it is stored and served at certain temperatures. A wine cooling unit is made especially for the purpose of maintaining the correct conditions for wine storage. There is no way a standard air conditioning unit can provide the right environment for a wine room or wine cellar. The cooling unit is a foundational part of a wine cellar, though many other factors contribute to its effectiveness. There are three basic types of wine cellar cooling units, those being: Self-contained, ductless-split, and ducted-split air handler climate control systems. Is a self-contained cooling unit best for your wine cellar?
Air Conditioning Units Won’t Do
Whisperkool wall-mounted cooling unit
A self-contained through-the-wall wine cellar cooling unit resembles a window air conditioning unit, but they are not the same thing at all. An air conditioner provides cold blasts of air for short spans of time to create a certain temperature in the room. Spikes in temperature are common with basic air conditioning. Wine cooling units, on the other hand, run much more frequently. They keep a room at a much more constant, colder temperature. In addition, self-contained wine cellar cooling units regulate humidity.
When is a Self-Contained Wine Cooling Unit Best?
The most affordable wine cooling unit is the self-contained variety, and it is also the easiest to install. This type of cooling unit is best for use in wine rooms and wine cabinets that have adequate ventilation. These are one-piece, wall-mounted units that are vented through the wall. There are no drain lines for this type of cooling unit. Everything needed is built right in, other than the need to vent, since it contains exhaust. These units are quiet but do make a noticeable amount of noise, same as split systems.
A huge consideration when installing a self-contained wine cellar cooling unit is which wall is best for placement and exhaust. Oftentimes, these systems mount to an interior wall, exhausting hot air and creating fan noise in an adjacent room. The adjoining room must be well-ventilated, in order to contain the heat that the unit vents. The adjoining room should not exceed 80°F. It should also usually be no smaller than the wine storage space.
A down side to self-contained systems is that the manufacturer usually requires that they be uninstalled and shipped in for repair or service. A benefit of a self-contained wine cooling unit is that it allows for maximum racking space in the wine cellar, and it is virtually an invisible feature.
Contact Professionals
When creating an ideal wine environment in your home, it’s best to contact professionals, such as the experts at Rosehill Wine Cellars. At Rosehill, we only focus on wine cellar construction. We can ensure that all components of your wine cellar are appropriate for wine storage, including the wine cooling unit. With help from our experts, you will get the best advice on whether to install a self-contained wine cooling unit or another variety.
