Environmental Considerations
Before selecting the appropriate cooling unit for your application, several key factors need to be taken into account.
Size of Space
The size of the wine storage space is crucial in determining the necessary cooling capacity. Wine Guardian, along with many climate control experts, provides heat-load calculators to guide you based on your specifications. It’s important not to select a cooling unit solely based on the volume of the wine room, as this approach overlooks other critical factors.
Volume and Type of Glass
Applications with more glass are generally more challenging to keep cool than those with just a glass door. The type of glass also plays a role in determining the required cooling unit. Plate glass necessitates a system capable of working harder compared to a display made of insulated glass.
Ambient Temperature
Ambient temperature, or the outside air temperature, significantly impacts the size of the cooling system needed. The optimal temperature for long-term wine storage and aging is between 55-58°F (12-14°C). In hot climates, more cooling capacity is required compared to cooler climates. Cooling units that are too small for the wine cellar may run excessively, reducing relative humidity too much, while oversized systems may cool the space too quickly without proper dehumidification.
Humidity
Humidity is essential for the long-term storage of wine. Excessive humidity can cause mold and damage labels, while too little can crack corks, leading to evaporation and degraded wine. Standard HVAC systems, including wine cellar cooling units, can remove humidity but cannot add it back. Effective door seals can mitigate humidity issues, but a cooling unit with built-in humidity control is necessary to maintain optimal levels, especially in dry areas and during specific times of the year.
Lighting
Lighting significantly impacts the required size of a cooling system, as lights generate heat. Therefore, a wine display may need a cooling unit with greater capacity to compensate for the additional heat produced by lighting.
Climate Control Technology
Climate control technology operates in a closed loop. One part of the system absorbs heat from the wine cellar, while the other part expels heat outside. This process involves coolant (refrigerant) flowing through the unit, undergoing pressure changes that enable it to absorb and reject heat efficiently.
