Category Archives: Custom Wine Cellars

Tips On Choosing The Right Custom Wine Cellar Cooling Unit Chicago

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The Different Types of Custom Wine Cellar Refrigeration Systems

Wine is a very sensitive beverage. It needs to be stored in the right conditions because it will spoil otherwise. A custom wine cellar with a quality wine cellar cooling unit installed can provide the ideal conditions for wine storage. On the market, there are various wine cellar cooling systems to choose from. Learn about the 3 basic types of custom wine cellar cooling systems and find out which is the right one for your home wine cellar.

1. Split Wine Cellar Cooling Systems

Oftentimes, Split Wine Cellar Cooling Systems are the most efficient way to cool a custom wine cellar. In most cases, cooling unit condensers are very noisy and take up a lot of space. With a Split Cooling System, the condenser is placed in a location outside the cellar, where heat and noise are localized, while the evaporator, which is quiet, is placed inside (or near) the custom wine cellar. You need to have a licensed HVAC/R technician install Split Custom Wine Cellar Refrigeration Systems.

Split Wine Cellar Cooling Systems can either be:

a.       Ductless

The Ductless Split Wine Cellar Cooling Systems do not need venting into an adjacent room because the condenser, which is the part that produces heat, is placed in a separate location. There is no ducting connecting the units. Instead, what connects them is a simple line set, which is comprised of small copper tubing and some electrical wiring.

b.      Ducted

Ducted Split Wine Cellar Refrigeration Systems have benefits similar to those of ductless systems. What differentiates them is that with the Ducted Split Wine Cellar Cooling Systems, there is no visible equipment inside the custom wine cellar at all. Cool air is efficiently ducted to and from the custom wine cellar. Unlike the ductless types, the evaporator is not inside the wine cellar at all in the ducted types.

2. Ducted Self-Contained Cellar Cooling Units

Ducted Self-Contained Cooling Systems can be installed up to 25 feet from the wine cellar. The cool air is blown into the custom wine cellar and the heat is exhausted to the outside of the home through a duct. This type of wine cellar cooling can be a little bit noisy, depending on how it is installed.

3. Self-Contained Through the Wall Custom Wine Cellar Refrigeration Units

Among all the custom wine cellar cooling units, self-contained through-the-wall cooling units are the most cost-effective as well as the easiest to install. These units can even be installed without the help of a licensed HVAC/R technician. The units are simply mounted on the wall of your custom wine cellar. One of the disadvantages to having this wine cellar cooling system is that it makes a lot of noise.

One end of this cooling system produces cool air and blows it into the residential wine cellar. The other end of the system absorbs the heat from the cellar and takes it out into a room adjoined to the custom wine cellar. It is important to remember that the adjoined room should be at least twice the size of your cellar unless the heat is exhausted into another area.

Importance of Proper Insulation and Lighting in Wine Cellars

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A properly functioning wine cellar needs more than just a cooling system to help achieve the necessary conditions for storing and aging wines.  Efficient insulation is an essential aspect of proper wine storage.  A highly insulated wine storage room ensures that the storage environment is stable enough for wines to mature to their full potential.

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                        Custom Wine Cellars Chicago Illinois

There are three primary reasons for insulating custom wine cellars in Chicago Illinois:  it lowers energy costs, prevents temperature swings, and maintains the humidity at ideal levels.  Poor wine cellar insulation causes the cooling unit to work doubly hard to meet the required climate conditions, which can lead to the system breaking down more often and thereby contribute to higher energy bills.

In order to keep temperature levels within 55 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity at 60% to 75%, all components of a wine cellar that can potentially bring outside air into the storage space should be thoroughly insulated.  This means that insulation should not only be limited to cellar walls, but also extend to the cellar entry door, the floor, the windows, and the ceiling.

Common materials used for insulating custom wine cellars are fiberglass, foam board, and drywall.  Fiberglass insulation materials are water resistant and offer versatility in installation because they can be used for various structural applications.  Foam board provides ease of installation and requires no maintenance because it is not prone to decay.  Drywall has mold and moisture-resistant features that help prevent mold and mildew growth.

Read more about custom wine cellar lighting here!

                               Custom Wine Cellar Lighting

Another important aspect that can impact the overall condition of wine cellars is the lighting system.  Using proper lighting will keep wines safe from the effects of harmful light sources.  A minimal amount of light not only accentuates the various wine bottles on display but also creates the perfect mood for the wine cellar.

The right kind of wine cellar lighting should provide enough illumination to view wine labels properly, find your way around the room, and conduct wine soirees without generating too much heat that can cause irreversible damage to your wine collection.

Keep in mind that not all light bulbs are suitable for wine cellars.  Regular light bulbs should be avoided because they have higher heat emissions that can drive up energy costs and increase room temperature.  On the other hand, LED-based lighting is ideal for wine cellars because of its energy efficiency and low heat generation.

Wine cellar lighting options come in various designs and configurations, such as recessed can light, track lighting, wall sconces, and recessed halogen lighting systems.  Recessed can lights are installed on ceilings that allow you to accentuate specific areas of the wine room.  The track lighting system is mostly used for highlighting wine labels stored in wine racks with a high reveal display row.

Wall sconces provide better light distribution.  They are usually mounted at eye level to create the desired lighting effect.  Recessed halogen lighting systems can add a dramatic flair to any wine cellar interior.  This lighting system is equipped with baffles to reduce brightness.  Remember to only use halogen bulbs with UV protective coating to protect wines from UV damage.

Installing dimmer switches and light timers in your wine room can provide additional protection to your investment.  Dimmer switches allow you to adjust the brightness inside the wine cellar.  Light timers help save energy, lower energy bills and minimize exposure of wine bottles to light.