What is a Wine Cellar Cooling System?
A wine cellar cooling system is a specialized air conditioning unit designed to maintain a consistent temperature and humidity level within a wine cellar or wine room. These systems are crucial for long-term wine storage, as they help to slow down the aging process and preserve the quality and flavor of the wine. Key components include:
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Evaporator Coil: Removes heat from the air.
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Condenser Coil: Releases the absorbed heat outside the cellar.
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Compressor: Circulates the refrigerant between the evaporator and condenser coils.
Types of wine cellar cooling systems include:
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Self-Contained Cooling Units: Compact and easy to install, ideal for small wine cellars or wine cabinets.
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Split Cooling Systems: Offer more installation flexibility, suitable for larger wine cellars or wine rooms.
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Ducted Air Handler Systems: Designed for larger wine cellars, can add heat and/or humidity as needed.
When selecting a wine cellar cooling system, consider factors such as:
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Size of the Wine Cellar: Ensure the system can handle the cellar's volume.
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Type of Wine Stored: Different wines may require specific temperature and humidity levels.
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Desired Temperature and Humidity Control: Precision control is key for optimal aging.
Benefits of a wine cellar cooling system:
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Consistent Temperature and Humidity: Essential for preventing wine spoilage and damage.
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Mold and Mildew Prevention: By removing excess moisture, these systems protect wine labels and corks.
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Oxidation Risk Reduction: Maintains ideal conditions to prevent wine oxidation.
Overall, a wine cellar cooling system is an essential component of any wine cellar or wine room. By selecting the right type of cooling system for your needs and ensuring proper installation and maintenance, you can preserve the quality and flavor of your wine collection for years to come.
Building an impressive collection of good wines begins with proper wine cellar storage. They must be stored in a dark wine room at a temperature of 55°F to 57°F (approximately 12°C to 14°C) with an average of 70% relative humidity. If not stored properly, your wine may get “cooked” resulting in flat aromas and flavors.
If you want to make sure your wines age properly, you should invest in a dedicated wine room. A wine cooling system is essential for wine cellar cooling and maintaining the ideal temperature and humidity levels.
Now that there are so many options, you may be wondering which one is the best wine cellar cooling unit. Luckily, we’ve gathered all the data based on our research and actual usage of these wine refrigerator units, as well as wine cellar cooler reviews provided by real customers.
Here’s the list of the top-rated wine cellar cooling units available in the market.
WhisperKOOL SC PRO 4000 Wine Cellar Cooling Unit
If you're looking for a wall-mounted unit for your medium or large-sized wine cellar, you would definitely love the WhisperKOOL SC PRO 4000 Wine Cellar Cooling Unit.
It features a combined cutting-edge system design technology with a completely new housing design, and a redesigned blower fan system, which improves performance while operating at a substantially lower noise level.
Pros:
- Easy to install self-contained cooling unit
- Reliable, quiet, and vibration free
- Efficiently cools small to mid-sized cellars
- Liquid temperature measuring bottle probe
- Dynamic airflow with quiet operation technology
- Durable powder-coated finish
- Backed by a two-year manufacturer’s warranty on parts and labor, including the compressor.
Cons:
- It's a bit expensive for the number of cubic feet it can handle.
- Must ensure that your wine cellar is fully insulated and sealed with a proper vapor barrier.
See more features and specifications of WhisperKOOL SC PRO 4000 Wine Cellar Cooling Unit.
Also available:
- WhisperKOOL SC PRO 2000 for 300 cu.ft. wine cellar
- WhisperKOOL SC PRO 3000 for 650 cu.ft. wine cellar
- WhisperKOOL SC PRO 8000 for 1500 cu.ft. wine cellar
Want to learn more about this product? Check out this article: WhisperKOOL SC PRO 4000: Product Review
Breezaire WKL Series 650 cu. ft. Wine Cellar Fridge System WKL 3000
Next on the list is the Breezaire WKL 3000.
Breezaire WKL Series units are known for their through-the-wall and compact wine cellar air conditioners. You wouldn't have any problems installing this unit as it does not require the services of an HVAC professional. If you prefer a hassle-free and easy installation, you might want to put this on your list.
Pros:
- Ultra quiet and vibration-free operation
- Accurate and easy to adjust the temperature
- Made in the USA
- Handcrafted by skilled craftsmen
- Protection against power outages
- Easy installation - simply mount in a wall and connect to a standard 115 AC source
Cons:
- Design is quite old and outdated since it was first launched in 2011.
See more features and specifications of the Breezaire WKL 3000
Also available:
- Breezaire WKL 1060 for 140 cu.ft. cellar size
- Breezaire WKL 2200 for 265 cu.ft. cellar size
- Breezaire WKL 4000 for 1000 cu.ft. cellar size
- Breezaire WKL 6000 for 1500 cu.ft. cellar size
- Breezaire WKL 8000 for 2000 cu.ft. cellar size
WhisperKOOL Slimline LS Cooling Unit
WhisperKOOL Slimline LS self-contained ductless wine cellar cooling units are one of our quietest and most compact wine cellar cooling units. This through-the-wall unit delivers excellent cooling and exceptional performance. The best thing about this cooling unit is that it can cool at two different capacities with a simple switch!
You can also upgrade the Slimline LS unit with UV Light Technology to improve the air quality inside your cellar. Pretty KOOL, huh?
Pros:
- Powerful cooling performance
- Compact and flexible
- Digital controller (thermostat) with Advanced System Protection
- Fan switch and bottle probe port accessible from the side panel
- Quiet centrifugal blowers
- Two capacities
- Interchangeable decorative panel
Cons:
- Recommended to be installed above a doorway. Certain houses may not have enough space above their doorways.
- Must ensure that your wine cellar is fully insulated and sealed with a proper vapor barrier.
See more features and specifications of WhisperKOOL Slimline LS Cooling Unit.
You might also want to read our review of this series: WhisperKOOL Slimline LS Cooling Unit: Product Review
Breezaire WKSL Series 1000 cu. ft. Cooling Unit Wine Fridge WKSL 4000
The Breezaire WKSL 4000 is designed with easy and flexible installation in mind. This wine refrigeration unit can be installed by any equipped and qualified HVAC professional. The automatic temperature, humidity, and vibration control are one of our favorite features of this unit.
The WKSL 4000 has a flexible split design, allowing the evaporator to be placed inside your wine cellar and the condenser to be placed up to 50 feet away, providing you with a peaceful wine cellar.
Pros:
- Easy and flexible installation
- Ultra quiet operation
- Automatic temperature and humidity control
- Vibration control
- Comprehensive warranty coverage
- Made in the USA
Cons:
- Design is quite old and outdated
- Requires HVAC professional
See more features and specifications of Breezaire WKSL 4000
Also available:
Wine Guardian D025 Ducted Wine Cellar Cooling System
The Wine Guardian D025 Ducted Wine Cellar Cooling Unit - 60 HZ is an excellent choice for small home wine cellars and commercial wine rooms with a volume ranging from 250 to 2000 cubic feet. It’s a fully-ducted, self-contained wine cooling unit with a maximum capacity of 3,300 BTU/h (0.97 Kilowatts), a step up from the TTW018. If you have a glass wall wine cellar that is sized for the TTW018, we recommend the D025 Wine Guardian ducted wine cooling unit here. It is best to have a contractor install it for your wine storage application.
Pros:
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Fully ducted system allows for flexible installation
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Suitable for both small home and commercial wine cellars
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Self-contained unit with no need for additional components
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High cooling capacity for its size
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Quiet operation
Cons:
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Installation requires a professional contractor
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Higher initial cost compared to other units
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May require additional space for ductwork
See more features and specifications of Wine Guardian D025 Ducted Wine Cellar Cooling System
WhisperKOOL Platinum Mini Split Ductless Cooling System
The WhisperKOOL Platinum Mini Split Ductless Cooling System is a cooling system with an evaporator unit and condensing unit split into 2 separate units that don't have to be installed in the same area. You need to hire an HVAC-R technician to install this unit. The evaporator unit is located inside or near the cellar while the condensing unit can be located outside your cellar, in your attic, or utility room.
This small wine cellar cooling unit is ideal for you if you have a small home wine cellar of up to 500 cubic feet.
Pros:
- Ductless system
- Perfect for smaller cellars
- Quiet and efficient operation
- Flexible installation
- Condenser can be located 100ft away from the evaporator
Cons:
- Requires HVAC professional
See more features and specifications of WhisperKOOL Platinum MiniSplit 110V Ductless Cooling System
Also available:
- WhisperKOOL Platinum Split 4000 for 1000 cu.ft. wine cellar
- WhisperKOOL Platinum Split 8000 for 1750 cu.ft wine cellar
- WhisperKOOL Platinum Split Twin for 3000 cu.ft. wine cellar
WhisperKOOL Extreme 3500ti Self-Contained Cooling Unit
Are you looking for wine room cooling units that can perform reliably and consistently even in EXTREME conditions? The WhisperKOOL Extreme 3500ti is a powerful self-contained cooling system that can absolutely do that.
It comes with a 3-speed fan switch, a digital controller, a bottle probe, and Advanced System protection. Installation is also easy and you won't need the help of an HVAC professional to do it.
Pros:
- Excels in hotter climates (outside temperatures over 110°F)
- Tolerates cold climates
- Ducting options
- 55 °F temperature differential
- Durable construction
- Powerful performance
Cons:
- If installed through an exterior wall, you will need to purchase exterior housing to protect the unit.
- Must ensure that your wine cellar is fully insulated and sealed with a proper vapor barrier.
See more features and specifications of WhisperKOOL Extreme 3500ti.
Extreme systems are also available in different sizes:
- WhisperKOOL Extreme 5000ti for 1250 cu.ft. wine cellar
- WhisperKOOL Extreme 8000ti for 2000 cu.ft wine cellar.
WhisperKOOL Mini Ceiling Mount Ductless Split System
The WhisperKOOL Mini Ceiling Mount Ductless Split System is designed for cellars with a smaller capacity so you can have more room for racking. The unit draws in warmer air that accumulates at the ceiling, cools it, and disperses it throughout the cellar, resulting in excellent efficiency.
This wine cellar cooling unit is designed to let you feel the KOOL without having to see it. Your wine should be the main focus of attention instead of the cooling device.
Pros:
- No ducting required
- Designed for ease of installation and accessibility
- High quality and professional-grade parts for longevity and performance
- Allows maximum racking space
- Flare fittings for easy installation
- Efficient operation
- Energy-saving – utilizing 50% less energy to operate
Cons:
- Condensers are noisy
- Requires a qualified HVAC-R technician for installation
- Requires a significant space for ventilation
See more features and specifications of WhisperKOOL Mini Ceiling Mount Ductless Split System
WhisperKOOL Extreme 8000ti Self-Contained Cooling Unit
Another contender from the WhisperKOOL Extreme ti series has made it into this list!
The WhisperKOOL Extreme 8000ti Self-Contained Cooling Unit, just like the Extreme 3500ti, provides consistent operation and reliable performance even in the most extreme conditions.
This self-contained unit gives you flexible installation options. Whether you want it partially ducted or fully ducted, it's all up to you. And they do not require the use of an HVAC-R technician.
Pros:
- Excels in hotter climates (outside temperatures over 110°F)
- Tolerates cold climates
- Ducting options
- 55 °F temperature differential
- Durable construction
- Powerful performance
Cons:
- If installed through an exterior wall, you will need to purchase exterior housing to protect the unit.
- Must ensure that your wine cellar is fully insulated and sealed with a proper vapor barrier.
See more features and specifications of WhisperKOOL Extreme 8000ti.
Extreme systems are also available in different sizes:
- WhisperKOOL Extreme 3500ti for 800 cu.ft. wine cellar
- WhisperKOOL Extreme 5000ti for 1250 cu.ft. wine cellar
WhisperKOOL Platinum Split 4000 Ducted Cooling System
Another WhisperKOOL system made it to the list once again. The WhisperKOOL Platinum Split 4000 Ducted Cooling System provides you with more installation options.
However, you will need to hire an HVAC-R technician to install this unit. The evaporator unit can be installed inside or near the cellar while the condensing unit can be located outside your cellar, in your attic, or utility room. If you have a large cellar and don't want any noise or vibrations inside, this is the best choice because it can accommodate up to 1000 cubic feet.
Pros:
- Flexible installation
- Perfect for large cellars
- Quiet and efficient operation
- Condenser can be located 100ft away from the evaporator
Cons:
- Requires HVAC professional
See more features and specifications of WhisperKOOL Platinum Split 4000 Ducted Cooling System
Also available:
- WhisperKOOL Platinum Split 8000 for 1750 cu.ft wine cellar
- WhisperKOOL Platinum Split Twin for 3000 cu.ft. wine cellar
Final Word
Prior to choosing a cooling system for wine cellars, it's important to know and assess your space and ventilation requirements. There are two options for purchasing a ducted or split wine cooler unit: install the evaporator inside or use a duct system from the outside.
Any of the 10 wine cooling units above could be the best one for you, depending on your wine storage needs and preferences. Moreover, they are all reasonably priced and include full warranties that cover both parts and labor. Keep in mind that certain manufacturers will want you to present installation paperwork in order for your warranty to be activated. While some of these units are easy to install, we highly recommend that you hire a certified professional.
If you want to learn how to build a wine cellar, here's a Step-by-Step Guide.
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