Wine Cellar Refrigeration Systems: How To Build A Cool One
Cellar refrigeration systems are specifically designed to maintain a constant temperature between 55 and 57 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity levels between 50 and 70 percent. The right humidity levels will keep corks moist and swollen enough to ensure a tighter seal, while the right temperature will moderate the aging process of your wine.
Always keep in mind:
• If the humidity is too low, the corks dry out, thus allowing air to enter the bottle and if it oxidizes, the wine will surely spoil.
• If the humidity is too high, you risk mold growing on your corks, labels and bottle racks.
• If the temperature is too cold, the wine becomes inactive and will end up tasting flat rather than fruity and sparkling.
• If the temperature is too high, you risk cooking the wine and aging it prematurely.
Ideally, however, the warehouse itself should be designed and built with precisely the right conditions for these temperature and humidity variables to work.
the wine room
Before installing a wine cooler, make sure the room is vapor-sealed and properly insulated.
• Every wall and ceiling must have a vapor barrier on the “warm side” of the walls. 6 or 8 mil plastic sheeting is strongly recommended.
• Interior walls must be insulated with a minimum of R-19. We recommend using rigid foam board. Also, all cracks should be filled with expanding spray foam.
• All walls are finished with green moisture resistant board.
• Doors must be solid wood and/or insulated and weather stripping is vital for a tight seal.
• Glass must be double pane with a minimum gap of 1/2″.
• Lighting should be low voltage.
Cellar refrigeration units
Cellar refrigeration unit types and models are typically chosen based on the size of the room, which is typically measured in cubic feet (length x width x height). Other factors to consider are the location of your wine room and the geography of your home because they can affect the temperature and humidity of your wine room. Measure the size of the room, and then use a thermometer and hygrometer to test the room’s natural temperature and humidity.
Now you can choose the refrigeration system for your cellar based on your results. There are mainly 2 types of cellar refrigeration units.
The first is the relatively cheaper self-contained cooling system. The self-contained refrigeration system looks a lot like a built-in or wall-mounted air conditioning unit. This system should be vented to an adjacent temperature-controlled room that is typically the same size or larger than your wine room. The WhisperKool XLT series is an example of a self-contained cooling system.
The second type is the split cooling system. This type of cellar refrigeration unit essentially consists of two separate units, the condensing unit and the evaporating unit. The condenser, which is usually located outside the house, supplies liquid refrigerant to the evaporator through a compressor, which is usually mounted on the wall inside the wine room. The evaporator then cools the air that comes into contact with it by turning the moist air into liquid, which is then collected outside the wine room.
Split cooling versus autonomous cooling
Self-contained systems are less expensive and easier to install, but potential drawbacks include noise during normal operation and a shorter lifespan (about 5-6 years) compared to a split cooling system. The availability of a suitable adjacent room for ventilation can also be a factor, but this could be addressed by the use of air ducts to control where hot air can be vented. One such cellar cooling system that uses this method is the Cellarmate self-contained system. There will of course be additional costs depending on the circumstances surrounding the installation.
Split systems are useful when dealing with site difficulties or when installation flexibility is needed. On the other hand, your wine cellar refrigeration unit costs more than stand-alone ones and requires an HVAC professional to install. Ideally, the two units should be at least 50 feet apart, which in most cases means the condensing unit should be located outside of the house. This means additional costs for the condenser shell, piping assemblies, and power supply. However, split cellar cooling systems are more durable, lasting at least a decade longer than self-contained systems.
Both types of climate control systems are popular and selecting one over the other depends on the current condition of your wine room and of course your personal preferences. Just make sure you do everything right, and your valuable wine collection will do just fine, too.