Category Archives: wine cellar cooling

CellarPro Wine Cooling Units – Ideal for Texas Wine Cellars

When one has decided to start and maintain a wine collection, it is essential for the wine collector to build a custom wine cellar. This is to protect the wine bottles, especially if one intends to age wines.

For wine collectors who live in areas with varying climates like Texas, it is advisable to seriously consider installing wine cellar refrigeration units to maintain the ideal temperature and humidity levels of the wine cellar.

There are a lot of models of cooling units and components available on the market today. One needs to research the models available and consult a Texas wine cellar specialist so that proper assessment of the wine cellar is done and the right cooling unit for your wine cellar is recommended. A heat load assessment can also be done to determine the right size of the cooling unit for your wine cellar.

CellarPro Wine Refrigeration System

CellarPro wine cooling systems offer different kinds of cooling units depending on the dimensions and location of one’s wine cellar. Choosing a cooling unit is not an easy task since cooling units and their accessories must be customized according to the size, both width, and height, of the wine cellar and its location in the house or building. It is important to locate where the warm air blows and exits the wine cellar.

CellarPro cooling units are continuously improving their products to serve their clients better.  They periodically upgrade the cooling units’ components for better performance. They offer models from small wine cabinets to large capacity wine cellars. There are plenty of units and components to choose from depending on the dimensions of the wine cellar.

Cellar Pro Wine Cellar Cooling Units

Cellar Pro Wine Cellar Cooling Units

These reliable units have electronic thermostats and digital displays for ease of temperature control. Maintaining the temperature and humidity levels can be done inside the wine cellar.

Cooling units of CellarPro have audible and visual alarms to inform you when pre-programmed wine storage temperatures have been exceeded. This will ensure that the wines are monitored at all times.

Moreover, they have alarms that indicate when maintenance is needed and if there are any component or system failures. This mechanism is very helpful to the user as he will be somewhat guided by these features, thus avoiding unnecessary damage to the wine collection.

Availing a cooling unit for your Texas wine cellar may more than scratch your budget, but it will surely pay off since the wine cellar’s condition is maintained according to the ideal settings or standards. In return, you will have a properly stored wine collection that you can be proud of.

 

Need Help in Choosing the Right Wine Cellar Cooling System? Contact a Texas Wine Cellar Expert

Let your wines mature properly for years by choosing the correct wine cellar cooling system. If you don’t know which type of cooling system is best suited for your budget and needs, contact Wine Cellar Specialists at 866-646-7089 or visit their website at https://www.winecellarspec.com/.

 
VintageView Metal Wine Racks - Wine Cellars Dallas Texas Griffith

Small Contemporary Custom Wine Cellars Dallas Texas Griffith

Small Contemporary Residential Custom Wine Cellars Dallas Texas – Griffith (A Processed Video Transcription)

Wine Cellar Dallas Texas with VintageView Metal Wine Racks
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I’d like to show you what can be done in a very small space.  The homeowner had a very tiny closet; it was only slightly over six feet wide and not quite two and a half feet deep.  He did the vapor barrier and insulation in the walls and the ceiling and we added VintageView metal wine racks.

Plan View - Wine Cellars Dallas Texas Project

                      Plan View – Wine Cellars Dallas Texas Project

VintageView Metal Wine Racks Plan View

                                     VintageView Metal Wine Racks Plan View

What you are seeing here are the plan views of the various elevations. Wall A is the side wall as you walk in to your left, the cooling unit above.  Here we were able to add one row of wine racks.

The back wall, we were able to add four rows actually and the short fifth wall under the wine cellar cooling unit. The right wall we had two rows floor to ceiling and the door wall has three rows floor to ceiling as well as space for three magnums above the door.

Antique Door for Wine Cellars Dallas Texas Griffith Project

Antique Door for Wine Cellars Dallas Texas Griffith Project

View of the Wine Cellars Dallas Texas

View of the Wine Cellars Dallas Texas

I want to show you some photographs of the completed wine cellars Dallas Texas. Here we are looking at the wine cellar door, and the homeowner used an antique freezer door which was reclaimed and it has very good insulation and seal.

As we open the wine cellar door and look into the cellar you can see that he painted the walls in deep red or burgundy color.  The black VintageView metal wine racks looks beautiful on the wall; it really creates a nice look for his small cellar.

CellarPro Wine Cellar Cooling Unit on the Left Wall

CellarPro Wine Cellar Cooling Unit on the Left Wall

You can see a little bit of the left wall here and part of the back wall as we move along this is the left wall and you can see the left wall wine racks and here is the cooling unit above is blowing down this is a CellarPro 1800 wine cellar cooling unit. We use this unit, it goes through the wall and has a rear duct kit attached which grows about another ten feet and vents into the hall way.

CellarPro 1800 Wine Cellar Cooling Unit

CellarPro 1800 Wine Cellar Cooling Unit

As we move along, you’ll see a close up picture of the CellarPro and you will notice that it is 61 degrees. That is because we have the door open in taking photographs so the temperature has risen a few degrees.

Back Wall of the Wine Cellar - VintageView Metal Wine Racks

Back Wall of the Wine Cellar – VintageView Metal Wine Racks

This is the back wall of the wine cellar from at the top and this is the back wall looking toward the floor.  This is the right wall looking back, you can see a little bit of the back wall, and the door wall as well as the right wall.

 

 

VintageView Metal Wine Racks - Wine Cellars Dallas Texas Griffith

VintageView Metal Wine Racks – Wine Cellars Dallas Texas Griffith

Right Wall - Wine Cellars Dallas Texas Griffith Project

Right Wall – Wine Cellars Dallas Texas Griffith Project

This is the close up of the right wall. Here are the vents in the hallway around the corner of the wine room where the wine cellar cooling unit is venting out.

Again we have the wine cellars Dallas Texas in a very small space that was created using the metal VintageView metal wine racks and the CellarPro wine cellar cooling unit.

Give us a call today if you have a small area or a large area that you like us to help you with.

Wine Cellar Construction Dallas - Assemblying the Wine Racks

Custom Wine Cellar Construction Dallas Texas Dann – Part Two

Custom Wine Cellar Construction Dallas Texas Dann – Part Two (A Processed Video Transcription)

Custom Wine Cellar Construction Dallas Texas – Dann’s Wine Cellar
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Dann Wine Closet Part 2:

Before Photo of Dann's Wine Cellar Dallas Texas

Before Photo of Dann’s Wine Cellar Dallas Texas

What you’re looking at is the pantry off the Dann’s kitchen before we began the wine cellar construction Dallas.  Mr. Dann wanted us to change this small pantry into a wine closet.

We took this pantry and I’m going to show you a few more before pictures.  This is the door of the pantry before, inside walls before.  We took this pantry completely, installed a vapor barrier insulation green board and painted the walls.

What you are seeing here are the walls when they are complete and ready for rack installation.  Here’s another shot of the walls and here you are seeing the wine cellar cooling unit as it is installed.  This is a RM 2600 Split System Wine Cellar Cooling Unit.

Condensation Pump - Wine Cellar Cooling Unit

Condensation Pump – Wine Cellar Cooling Unit

The red item that you see down below is the condensation pump because we could not run the condensation line at an angle with the gravity flow to get rid of the condensation.  We actually have to add the pump before it could go down.

Our drain lines and our split system lines are all going up and across the kitchen ceiling and into the garage.  Here again, is another picture of the wine cellar cooling unit.

Here is where we’re beginning to put together our wine racks.  Our custom wine racks come on a pallet on several boxes.  This is one of the boxes before we’ve opened it.  Here is where we are opening the box; this is one of the waterfall wine racks or half of it.

Wine Cellar Construction Dallas - Assemblying the Wine Racks

Wine Cellar Construction Dallas – Assembling the Wine Racks

Here we’re putting together some of the wine racks out in the garage area.  As we are putting them together we set them aside.  This is showing the backside of one of the custom wine racks where we are screwing in the back stabilizers.

This is the door came in the crate.  You can down below the automatic door bottom which we have to install on the bottom of the door.

This is once racks we’re installed.  What you are seeing here is a light that we put on the sidewall of the cellar.  These are LED lights that can be moved around and pointed in each direction.  Here is your waterfall rack on the left with the 2 1/4 inch crown molding above.

Waterfall Wine Racks

Waterfall Wine Racks

Here is the back wall.  We have a solid diamond bin on the bottom, the tabletop, and a horizontal display wine racks up above.  We have a better shot of the solid diamond bin down below and your horizontal racks and tabletop.  Another close-up shot.

Here is the other back wall with the 750ml bottles with a high reveal display row.  Here’s a little close up look of the display row and the upper section of this rack system.  We have it cut out so that the grill cover and box will fit right in here.

This is the corner section where you can see there is the display row again and we are seeing part of the right wall and the bottom section where a part of the right wall is showing.

Grill Cover and Box for the Wine Cellar Cooling Unit

Grill Cover and Box for the Wine Cellar Cooling Unit

Here we have the upper part of the right wall with the grill cover and box that hides that wine cellar cooling unit.  Below the grill cover and box are the horizontal wine racks that go all the way down to the floor, holding one row of horizontal bottles.

This is the doorway, a closed doorway.  What we did on this doorway (this is a Tuscan Door with arched glass, a square door) is we did a custom stain match to match their current kitchen cabinets, and we did a custom molding to match the other moldings on their home.

Here’s another shot of the door with it closed, the door open and looking in, and again looking in the cellar.  This is the compressor sitting out in the garage.

Mr. and Mrs. Dann with the Completed Wine Cellar Dallas Texas

Mr. and Mrs. Dann with the Completed Wine Cellar Dallas Texas

Mr. and Mrs. Dann with their completed wine cellar, that would be me and we’re just going to pass that picture, and this is the celebration with Moses on a Sunday morning, celebrating the completion of the Dann Wine Cellar Construction Dallas.

I hope you enjoyed the photographs of the Dann Wine Cellar created by Wine Cellar Specialists.

Watch part one of the video tour of Custom Wine Cellars Dallas Texas.

Start Your Own Wine Collection – We are Here to Help

Wine collecting is an interest that is slowly gaining popularity among wine consumers of different social classes. There are two reasons why most people venture into acquiring their own vintages: one is for-profit as they can eventually sell their collection down the line, and second is a passion for great tasting wines wherein having their own collection allows them to personally enjoy a nice bottle or share it with friends at any given time.

Custom Wine Cellar – Perfect for Storage of your Wine Collection

Whatever your purpose is, Wine Cellar SPecialists is here to help you along the way. Here are some tips we’ve gathered for you:

Storing a few bottles is a great way to kick off your collection as you can gradually increase the number of your vintages in the long run. Proper wine storage is of great importance to your wine collection as this can spell the difference between preserving the quality of your vintages and spoilage.

When deciding where to store your wine collection, you should take into account the three factors that can greatly influence the condition of your wines: light, temperature, and humidity.

Bright lights can interfere with the chemical compounds in wines which can alter its quality and taste; hence it is essential to store them in places where they are left untouched by the damaging effects of rays of light.

Temperature and humidity levels should be maintained at 50-55°F and within 60-75% respectively. In addition, keeping your wine in areas free of vibratory motion is a must since the slightest motion can have adverse effects on your wine. Storing your wine collection in an ideal environment ensures that your wine retains its excellent quality and at the same time keeps its label in pristine condition.

There are several options available for storing your wine collection. Converting your basement or garage into a wine cellar is one of them, and by installing a wine cellar cooling system in the room guarantees that the right temperature and humidity levels are maintained at all times.

If building a wine cellar in your home is not within your budget, then you can invest in a good quality wine cooler. Wine coolers have ample space to store quite a few wine bottles and it can mimic the ideal conditions required for proper wine storage.

Purchasing wine racks is another option. Wine racks are constructed out of wood, metal, or steel. They also come in a myriad of impressive designs that can certainly complement any kitchen or room in your household.

Curved Corner Standard Wine Rack

Curved Corner Standard Wine Rack – Elegant Wine Storage Furniture for your Wines

If you want a professional to look after your wine collection, then professional refrigeration is the best choice for you. A wine storage locker can be leased for your convenience and a wine expert is in charge of maintaining your wine bottles, for a price, of course.

The safety of your wine collection should also be taken into account. Keep in mind that the value of your wine increases as it ages, therefore it is imperative to take the necessary precautions for the safekeeping of your vintages. Having your bottles of wine insured is one way of doing that.

Should you decide to expand your wine collection, there are wine retailers and vineyards that often grant buyers a reduced price when acquiring wines in bulk. However, it is recommended that you try one bottle first or, better yet, check out wine reviews online before you make a big purchase.

Furthermore, visiting different vineyards and signing up for their mailing list will avail you of discounts in the future.

New Wine Cellar Cooling Product from CellarPro…

Will It Work For You?

A new product has just been released and it is causing quite a stir.  This is a truly great fully ducted wine cellar cooling system by CellarPro, it is extremely versatile and can be configured to be used in many different ways.  For example, the cooling units can be stacked vertically when floor space is limited; or they can be stacked horizontally when ceiling height is limited; or the evaporator and the condensing unit can be split apart, and the condensing unit even can be placed outdoors, when space or access are limited

This new Wine Cellar Air Handler comes in both the 6500 and the 8500 sizes.  Therefore, these units are meant for larger cellars, up to 1750 cubic feet and up to 2500 cubic feet, respectively, with proper insulation and vapor barrier installed in the wine cellar.  The self-contained (ie Horizontal and Vertical) units are pre-charged and factory set so that they do NOT have to be installed by an HVAC contractor.

There are several different ways these wine cooling systems can be installed:

  • These wine cellar cooling units can be placed horizontally or vertically.
  • They can be used as one unit or separated as a split system.

  • An optional remote digital display is available for use inside or outside the cellar when the units are ducted to and from the cellar.
  • The evaporator can be ducted into and from the cellar with the condenser attached.
  • The evaporator can be split and connected to the evaporator via 2 copper lines.
  • The evaporator could be placed inside the room and connected through the wall to the condenser via 2 copper lines.
  • Each unit is 18.6w x 18.6 d x 19.3 h… so each section is quite large.
  • The condenser can be connected to the evaporator directly.
  • The condenser can be “split” and connected to it via 2 copper lines and be separated up to 100 line ft. away.
  • The units can be ducted to the wine cellar from the evaporator and to the outdoors or another large space from the condenser up to 100 equivalent ft. (50 ft. per duct).
  • The units are also available so that the condenser can be placed indoors or outdoors to temperatures from -20 degrees to 110 degrees when used with the optional low ambient kit.

 

The way you will install your unit must be determined before ordering to receive the correct unit configuration.

Optional Humidifiers and Heaters are available that can be installed at the factory upon placing your order.  These must be factory installed and cannot be added later.

The integrated Humidifier is perfect for increasing the humidity level in commercial or residential wine cellars. They are controlled by digital controllers that are mounted inside the wine room and are wired to the humidifier that is mounted to the rear of the Air Handler.  Humidity levels can be set from 5% to 70% in 5% increments.

The 900W integrated Heater is for cellars that are unheated and exposed to conditions below 55 degrees.  When the heater system is added, it is integrated with and controlled by the digital control panel and automatically adds heat or refrigeration based on the temperature inside the cellar.  A safety thermostat provides protection from overheating.

Here is a photo of recent install of an AH6500Sch CellarPro system installed by one of our partner contractors in Memphis, TN.  Located in the attic above the wine cellar the air was ducted to and from the wine cellar.   The hot air was ducted outdoors and the fresh air was received from the fully insulated attic.   The contractor who installed this unit purchased an extra duct collar for the unit. He is currently getting his supply air from the attic. If he finds that the attic gets too hot over the summer, he will change out the grill to the duct collar, adding a duct to the outside for the supply air.

Go here Custom Wine Cellars Memphis to see an example of a CellarPro Wine Cellar Cooling Unit installed is a recent residential wine cellar project.

To find out if this type of system is right for your wine cellar …. Or to see what cooling system is the best type and size for your wine cellar, call Wine Cellar Specialists to have a heat load calculation performed and get a unit recommendation.

Texas: 972-454-0480  Illinois: 773-234-0112 or Toll Free: 866-646-7089

Wine Cellar Cooling Tips for Texas Wine Enthusiasts

So you’ve decided to build a wine cellar in your home. Do you know the environment to create in your wine cellar to best protect your wine? Learn all about it and more in this, the first in a series of blog posts about creating an ideal environment in your wine cellar.

Achieving Optimum Temperature and Humidity Levels for Graceful Wine Aging

Wine Guardian Cooling Unit in Attic

Wine Guardian Cooling Unit in a Teas Home Wine Cellar

Your Texas wine cellar should constantly be at a temperature of about 55 degrees. As important as temperature is, so is humidity. Keep the humidity in your wine cellar somewhere between 50 and 75 percent.

Too high of a humidity can cause mold and mildew and your labels to fall off. Too low a humidity can cause your corks to dry out, air can seep into your bottles, and your wine can be ruined.

Do you live in a low-humidity area? Some types of climate control units help to regulate your humidity by adding moisture, others simply get rid of excess humidity. Some wine cellar owners like to add a humidifier to their cellar while others might want a fountain.

The poor man’s method is a container of water across the room from the cooling unit. The unit will pull the moisture through the room. Most areas of the country do not need any type of humidification.

When cooling a Texas wine cellar with the liquid mass of the wine in the bottles, the humidity naturally rises. Your cellar will automatically have a higher humidity than it will have outside the room. The vapor barrier in the walls, floor and ceiling helps to keep the humidity inside the room. This is why most cooling units are made to get rid of the excess humidity.

Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing a Wine Cellar Cooling unit

Picking a wine cellar cooling unit is where you need to be sure to consult an expert. He or she is best able to help you pick something that will work for your wine cellar. Many things are considered when deciding what you can use.

  • Where in the house or building is the cellar located?
  • Do you want to see the unit or not?
  • Are you OK with hearing the unit or not?
  • How big is your wine room?
  • What is the amount of insulation in the room?
  • What is the type/style of wine cellar door installed?

The size of the room, the amount of insulation, even the style of the door being used are all factors in determining the size of unit you can use. Your cooling unit expert at Wine Cellar Specialists can do a free heat load calculation for you by plugging in all the factors needed to determine the correct BTU’s necessary for your unit. All cooling units need to have a dedicated circuit and all units will have a drain line for excess condensation.

Types of Wine Cooling Units Recommended for Texas Wine Cellars

  • types of wine cellar cooling systems TexasSelf Contained or Through-the-wall: A unit that is mounted through the wall (hence the name). It pulls air from the adjoining room and also releases hot air into the same room. This separate room must be heat and air conditioned and be at least two times the size of the wine cellar. Some of these systems can have the hot air ducted to another area. Consult your expert.
  • Ductless Split System: Called a “split” because the evaporator coil is in the room where the unit is. It is connected to the condenser in another room or outside the home via 2 copper lines. If you live in a climate where you have winter days of below 40 degrees, this must be taken into consideration when choosing your unit. Some units can withstand these temperatures. On others you must add a low ambient kit for cold weather.
  • Split-air handler or Ducted Split System: This system requires ducting to the wine cellar from the evaporator coil, which can sit in another room, closet or attic. The evaporator is connected to the condenser via 2 copper lines. The condenser can be in another room (at least 1-2 times the size of the cellar) or outdoors. Again, if placing the condenser outdoors, be sure your wine cellar expert knows your climate temperature fluctuations year round to be sure your unit has everything for the conditions it will be in.
  • Water-cooled system: This system uses cold water to cool the coils in the unit, and is installed in an indoor space. By using water, no refrigerant is needed or used, and an air handler creates the cold air you need in the room. This type of unit is usually only used when the building has a water reservoir in place that circulates through the building and can be tapped into. You do not want to hook this up to a regular city water and sewer system.

A climate control system will do more than simply circulate air in your cellar. The right system will help protect your wine by maintaining constant wine cellar temperature and humidity. The fluctuation of temperature and humidity is the biggest cause of ruined wine.

More Wine Cooling Tips

Wine Cellar Specialists, a wine cooling expert in Texas, always make sure that the room is prepared for the installation of the wine refrigeration system. They install the proper amount of insulation, a vapor the barrier, and sealing components for the door and flooring.

Installing the Proper Insulation and Vapor Barrier Can Protect Both Your Wine Cooling System and Wines

Climate-controlled wine cellars must be insulated by a professional to prevent the environmental factors from damaging your wine. The R factor (thickness of insulation) depends on the thickness of the walls and ceiling. R19 is the minimum insulation that must be applied the interior walls of your wine cellar. For the ceiling, above ground floor and any exterior walls, R-30 insulation is recommended.

wine cellar door Texas

Wine Cellar Door with Proper Sealing Components by Wine Cellar Specialists Texas Builder

Wine cellar builders should be using closed cell spray foam as insulation and vapor barrier. Before the foam is sprayed, any seams should also by polysealed. Proper vapor barrier and insulation can help to prevent mold growth by sealing the wine cellar and allowing the proper sized cooling unit to work efficiently. When closed cell foam is used as your insulation in the correct thickness, another vapor barrier is not necessary.

Some contractors use plastic sheeting applied to the warm side of the walls. At Wine Cellar Specialists we only recommend closed cell foam. Plastic sheeting is too easy to be compromised over time and can then allow moisture to enter the room, causing mold or mildew issues.

With the appropriate insulation and vapor barrier installed, your Texas wine cellar can store your collection safely for years to come. It also allows your wine cooling system to function properly, preventing significant expense. Your wine cooling unit may not work correctly, overworking the refrigeration system, if your wine cellar has not been properly sealed.

Sealing the Door and Flooring

An exterior grade door must be used in a cooled wine cellar. It must be equipped with weather stripping on all four sides of the doorjamb. It will prevent unwanted entry of the outdoor air. It is also imperative to add a threshold or bottom sweep to the door. Our wood and iron doors have the option of an automatic door bottom which is a great way to seal against the loss of air from your wine cellar.

Your floor will need to have a vapor barrier and insulation if it is above ground. Flooring should be made of a solid material applied to a level surface. Ideal flooring materials are ceramic tiles, hardwood, and marbles.

Need Help? Contact a Wine Cellar Cooling Expert.

Wine Cellar Specialists offers quality cooling systems for Texas wine cellars. Contact them at +1 (866 ) 646-7089!

Best Tips from Wine Cellar Cooling System Experts in Texas

Climate-Controlled Home Wine Cellar in Texas

Climate-Controlled Home Wine Cellar in Texas

One of the reasons wine loses its desirable characteristics is choosing the wrong wine cellar cooling system. Keep in mind that a regular air conditioning system for homes should not be used to stabilize a wine cellar environment. Wine Cellar Specialists, a wine cooling expert in Texas, is dedicated to helping clients select the best wine refrigeration system that suits the requirements.

Why it is Crucial to Work with a Wine Cellar Cooling Expert in Texas

You cannot enjoy the true bouquet of your favorite vintages if you do not store them in a climate-controlled environment. Wine must not be exposed to excessive heat, direct source of light, odor, and vibration. It is a smart idea to invest your time and money in building a safe place for your precious collection: a wine cellar designed to achieve the optimum storage conditions.

The Ideal Environment Required for the Graceful Aging of Wines

The ideal temperature in a wine cellar is between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, while the humidity level must range from 60 to 70 percent. Excessive temperature fluctuations will accelerate wine’s aging process, which can result in off flavors and aromas.

High humidity levels also have a negative impact on the quality of your wines. If your wine cellar exceeds the ideal humidity level, the cork will shrink, become brittle, and eventually lose its elasticity.

The cork’s elasticity plays a significant role in sealing the bottle and prevents an unwanted amount of oxygen to enter. When it decreases in size, air will mix with the wine and cause wine oxidation. An oxidized wine smells like burnt fruit or wet cardboard.

Another effect of high humidity levels is mold growth on the wine racks, cork, wine labels, in the wall cavities, and ceiling. You can prevent these wine storage issues if you hire a reliable wine cellar builder who is also a cooling expert in Texas.

Wine Cooling System Options

Wine Cellar Refrigeration System Installation Project in Texas

Wine Cellar Refrigeration System Installation Project in Texas

While you need to make sure that the temperature and humidity in your wine cellar are maintained at the right levels, there are different ways you can do this. When you set out to build a wine cellar in your home (or have one installed), you will more than likely hear about different cooling options. The primary options include self-contained, ductless split, and ducted split systems.

Essential Tips in Choosing a Wine Refrigeration System for Your Cellar

Which system you go with will depend on your needs. Before deciding, consult with an expert. They can help you decide in which direction to go, and may be able to offer services with about putting the cellar in place. Most wine cellars, if done correctly, will need little long-term maintenance, so an initial expense may be worth it if your later costs are minimized.

As mentioned in a different blog post, a wine cellar is not going to keep any white wine you serve at a temperature desirable for serving. You must remember to take out the white wine and chill it before serving.

Never Put a Wine Fridge Inside Your Wine Cellar

So, while a cellar is the best place in which to store white wine, some people also install a wine refrigerator somewhere else in the home in which to keep white wine that you intend to serve and drink soon. You do not want to put a wine refrigerator inside the cellar itself. The motor will give off heat and combat the cooling system, making it take more energy to cool the room.

Buy a Wine Cooling Unit That Has a Humidity Control Feature

Wine Cellar Cooling System Installed by Experts in Texas

Wine Cellar Cooling System Installed by Experts in Texas

A wine cooler is not the drink you can buy, and it is not some type of cooler you take with you on a picnic or to the beach. A wine cooler, or cooling unit, is desirable because it will help keep your cellar at one steady temperature. For storing wine, temperatures should be close to a constant 55 degrees. Most wine cooling units you can buy will not come with a humidity control device on the unit.

However, they all will help to control the humidity by getting rid of the excess. There are some units, which claim to re-route the moisture and add it back into the cellar when needed. These units have “humidity control.”

In most parts of the country, low humidity is not an issue. When the room has a proper vapor barrier and insulation, and the unit is cooling the room, the humidity will naturally rise higher than the air outside of the cellar.

If humidity is a factor for your wine cellar, you can install a humidifier, use a unit that has humidity control, add a fountain, or try the poor man’s method of adding a container of water to the opposite side of the room as the cooling unit. The unit will draw the moisture up through the air adding extra humidity to the room.

Different Types of Wine Cooling System Offered by Wine Cellars Specialists in Texas

Self-Contained Wine Cooling System

Self-Contained Wine Cooling System

At Wine Cellar Specialists, we always make a careful assessment of our client’s needs to ensure that every component we install meets their aesthetic, functional, and financial requirements. There are several ways to keep your cellar cool.

We offer self-contained through-the-wall, self-contained ducted, ducted split, and ductless split wine refrigeration systems.  You and your chosen builder must understand the features of each of these climate-control systems.

Self-Contained Through the Wall Wine Cooling Systems

The most cost effective is a self-contained unit, which goes through the wall and into the next room. You have to have a room that is at least twice the size of the cellar for this type of unit. The exception is if you duct the exhaust out of the second room to another area. Some units allow for this option.

There is also a wine cooling unit made that can vent to the outdoors. It is meant for extreme conditions. Be sure that you have the correct unit if placing the unit in an outer wall. Anyone can install this type of unit. However, it is the noisiest of all of the systems, as the fan and compressor are both in the one unit.

Self-Contained Ducted Wine Cooling Systems

One of the most popular styles of cooling units today is the ducted self-contained system. If you have a room next to the cellar or an attic above it is a perfect way to cool your room. Both the evaporator and condenser are contained in one unit and is ducted to and from the cellar. This unit does not require an hvac contractor to install as it comes pre-charged with the freon already in the system.

Ductless Split System

Ductless Split Wine Cooling System

Ductless Split Wine Cooling System

Another unit is a ductless split system. With this unit, the evaporator, or fan coil is placed inside the cellar and is connected via two copper lines to the compressor which can be placed either in another large room in the house or outdoors.

Ducted Split System

Self-Contained Ducted Wine Cooling System

Self-Contained Ducted Wine Cooling System

The fourth type of cooling unit is a ducted split system. This is a system where the evaporator and the condenser are both located remotely and the cool air, and the return air are ducted in and out of the room.

The evaporator is indoors in a separate space and is connected to the condenser (which usually sits outdoors) with two copper lines.

Both the ductless and the ducted split systems must be installed by a licensed HVAC/R contractor. There are other types of units on the market as well.

Avoid Costly Mistakes by Working with a Wine Cellar Cooling System Specialist in Texas

Consult with a wine cellar specialist in Texas when choosing the type and brand of your wine cooling system. Purchasing the wrong unit can be a costly mistake. A well-built wine cellar can be located anywhere in your home where one of these units can be installed.

If you need help, please do not hesitate to call us at +1 (866 ) 646-7089.

Wine Cellars – Design & Efficiency

After deciding to build a wine cellar in your home (or have one built), you should look at the cellar’s overall efficiency first. How the wine cellar will look, and whether or not it will match how the rest of your house looks, should be a secondary concern.

Wine Cellars – Design & Efficiency

Of course, design isn’t an afterthought, but at the end of the day, the colors you use in your wine cellar, if you use colors, will not help you protect and store your wine collection.

Making sure your cellar is efficient means that your wine cooling unit must be the proper size for the room and emit the proper BTU’s to efficiently cool the room according to your specific conditions. (see other blog posts for information on cooling unit options)

Your cooling unit, more than likely, is going to look and sound very different from what you might be thinking. Depending upon which type of unit you can use in your situation, the look of your cooling unit could vary greatly.

Selecting the right Wine Cellar Cooling Units

climate control system Texas

Wine Cellar Climate-Control System

When you pick your wine cellar cooling unit, there is usually an external temperature display on it. The wine cellars’ cooling unit will help you monitor and regulate your wine cellar’s temperature. With some units this display can be placed in a spot inside or outside of your wine cellar.

On others, it is attached to the unit itself. This temperature display will show you how hot or cold your cellar is, and if the temperature fluctuates out of your preset range, it will “tell” the cooling unit to readjust the temperature inside the cellar. This should happen automatically.

Because your wine cellar, as one expert puts it, is “dark and damp,” always install moisture-resistant materials during the build-out of the project. These materials can be covered with a latex paint.

Types of Wine Cooling Systems for Texas Custom Wine Cellars

Depending on how you plan to use your wine cellar (is it for an investment, or do you plan to drink the bottles of wine you will store in your cellar), you will want to choose the best cooling option for you. Wine Cellar Specialists can help you decide the system to put in place in your home.

Through the Wall or Self-Contained Units

self-contained wine cooling system

Self-Contained Cooling System

When it comes to practicality and ease of installation, the self-contained or through the wall cooling system is a top choice. Since this cooling option does not require a licensed HVAC/R technician, it will save you from the labor cost. The unit can be mounted between the wall studs.

An adjacent room, which must be at least twice the size of the cellar, is required. It serves as an exhaust of the heat generated by the refrigeration unit.

Ducted Self-Contained Systems

ducted self-contained refrigeration system

Ducted Self-Contained System

With a ducted self-contained unit, noise is reduced. The unit is installed 25 ducted feet away from your Texas custom wine cellar, resulting in a quieter operation compared to the self-contained system.

Another advantage of choosing this type of refrigeration system is that no cooling equipment is visible in your wine storage space. If you want a clean look in your cellar, go for the ducted self-contained system.  

Split Refrigeration Systems

split wine cooling system

Split Refrigeration Systems

Just like the ducted-self-contained cooling system, the split system allows for quiet operation. The condenser and the evaporator are installed separately. The condenser, which is a noisy component of a refrigeration system, is installed outside your wine cellar, while the evaporator is placed in the room.

Incorporating a wine cellar into your house is not overly complicated. Doing it right means taking your time, focusing on efficiency, and making sure you have the right people helping you make the right decisions that will best protect your investment and give you your desired result.