In today’s market there are a few different styles of wine cooling units available.. In general, they fall into one of three categories. Looking at these in more detail we have:
Through-the-Wall System
Also known as self-contained sytems these units are the most economical and popular choice for most recreational wine collectors. As the nomer “through the wall” suggests these self-contained units can simply be installed between existing wall studs with little to no modification needed.. Due to their low cost and ease of installation mid-sized wine cellars are often best-served by models such as the WhisperKOOL 4200 or WhisperKOOL 3000.
Probably the main thing to remember is that due to their somewhat limited power these units are really designed for use in small wine cellars.. Prior to installation it is also important to determine the best location for your cooling unit to ensure that the racking does not obstruct airflow which will reduce its cooling efficiency..
Choosing a system that complements the look of the wine cellar, is quiet, energy efficient and offers a small footprint is important, as is the ability to duct warm condenser air away from the area to create a more comfortable living space.
Above all else remember that a regular room air conditioner is not an alternative to purchasing an air conditioner specifically designed for use in a wine cellar from a reliable manufacturer.
Ducted System
More versatile than self-contained systems these systems offer more flexibility when it comes to design and installation.In this case the interior wall has a grille which connects via insulated ducting to a self-contained unit outside the wine cellar which houses the evaporator, condenser and fan.. This system can be placed in any indoor, out-of-the-way location outside the cellar. The result is a quiet cellar with no obtrusive equipment taking up space.
Split System
Split systems include two separate mechanical elements (condenser and evaporator) that can be used when ducting is not feasible, especially when the condenser must be installed outdoors or in an unheated space, such as a garage.Split systems basically have refrigeration tubing that connects the evaporator fan inside the wine cellar to the condenser on the outside of the wine cellar.
It should be noted though that unlike the other systems, split systems must be installed by licensed electrical and refrigeration technicians. The split system can be sized for any sized cellar. Industry leader WhisperKOOL manufactures a number of quiet and powerful split system wine cooling units.