Wine Cellar Refrigeration System Needs Exhaust Room or Environment

Usually, when people discuss wine cellar refrigeration systems the focus of discussion is on the inside of the wine cellar room (like temperature, air circulation, the location of the custom wine cellar, etc.). Although these things are very important to storing wine, you need to remember that a wine cellar unit is basically an air exchanger, which means that while it is producing cool air into the wine storage room, it is also releasing hot air into the exhaust environment.

All Types of Wine Cellar Cooling Units Have an Exhaust Room/Environment

All wine cellar cooling units have an exhaust room or environment. In the case of a self-contained, through-the-wall wine cellar cooling unit, the exhaust environment is the adjacent room built to receive the exhausted hot air (unless the air is ducted elsewhere). In the case of ducted split type cellar refrigeration systems, the exhaust environment can be the garage or outside. These cooling units have their exhaust environment located away from the custom wine cellar.

Why A Wine Cellar Cooling Unit Exhaust Room is Important

There is a need to give importance to wine cellar cooling system exhaust rooms or environments because a cooling unit’s ability to cool a wine storage room is directly related to the temperature of the exhaust room. Since a wine cellar refrigeration unit is an air exchanger, cold air is basically produced inside the cellar and hot air is exhausted. This exchange creates a temperature difference between the two environments.

It is imperative that a refrigeration unit is able to maintain at least a 30-degree Fahrenheit temperature differential between the custom wine cellar and its exhaust room. The temperature differential is calculated by subtracting the cellar temperature from the exhaust room temperature. For example, if a custom wine cellar is set at a temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit, its exhaust room should not get higher than 85 degrees Fahrenheit in order to have a maximum of 30 degrees Fahrenheit temperature differential. If the exhaust room does get warmer, for example, 95 degrees Fahrenheit, then the cellar could get as cool as 65 degrees Fahrenheit to maintain a 30 degrees temperature differential.

This temperature differential needs to be maintained at the appropriate levels because it greatly affects the ability of a cooling unit to cool the inside of a custom wine cellar. If a wine cellar refrigeration unit fails to provide the ideal temperature levels, your wines will suffer and get damaged.

Wines, Wine Storage Conditions and Wine Cooling Systems

Both beginners and experts in wine collection must know the important conditions required to make a good wine last. The two vital aspects of proper wine storage conditions are temperature and humidity. To make sure that your custom wine cellar can provide the ideal temperature and humidity that your wines need, you need to purchase a good wine cellar refrigeration system.

Wine cooler refrigerators are units designed for storing wine. These units can regulate temperature and humidity effectively so that your wine collection will not get ruined.

The Difference between Wine Cellar Cooling Units and Air Conditioning Systems

There is a huge difference between wine cellar refrigeration units and air conditioning units. Although both can cool the room temperature, the latter cannot cool wine to the ideal level. A wine cellar cooling system does not just cool the room as an air conditioner does. It goes beyond that. A wine cellar cooling unit regulates and monitors the temperature and humidity so that they are kept at a constant level. This is important in wine storage because frequent fluctuations in temperature and humidity can damage your wines.

3 Major Custom Wine Cellar Cooling Systems

There are many different kinds of custom wine cellar cooling units to choose from on the market. The 3 most popular types are the Self-Contained Through-The-Wall units, the Ductless-Split type units, and the Ducted-Split Type units. Here is a more detailed discussion on these 3:

1. Self-Contained Through-The-Wall

This is the most cost-efficient type of custom wine cellar cooling unit. You simply mount the unit to an interior wall. The hot air inside the cellar will be vented out through the wall and into an adjacent room. This unit will also help lower the noise from the cooler. It is important to have a relatively big room for the exhaust air. Ideally, the adjacent room should be as big as your wine cellar.

2. Ductless-Split Type

This type of wine cellar cooling system does not come in one piece, but it is the more convenient and popular choice among wine collectors. Additionally, although this cooling system is more costly, it has a longer life expectancy. Another advantage of having this unit is that you do not need an adjacent room for exhausting hot air.

3. Ducted-Split Type

This is very similar to the ductless-split type cooling unit because you will hear no noise from its fan and you will not need any adjacent room for exhausted hot air. One of the best things about this wine cellar cooling system is that there is no visible equipment inside the wine cellar at all. This system is configured in such a way that it is the cool air that is ducted into and out of the wine cellar.