December 3

The Different Types of Wine Cellar Cooling Systems

There are 4 different types of Wine Cooling Units presently on the market, they are:

  • self-contained cooling system
  • split cooling system
  • ducted cooling system
  • split e-cool cooling system

As a wine bottle ages, there are over 1,000 chemical reactions taking place inside the bottle, all of which bring different flavors and aromas to the wine. What dictates all of this, is an oxidation phenomenon, which to put it simply, is a chemical reaction between the wine and the oxygen.

There is, therefore, a very particular and precise balance regarding the amount of oxygen with which wine must be brought into contact to ensure that the desired flavors are obtained. What you want to do is maximize certain reactions that will bring desirable aromas and minimize the reactions that will bring undesirable ones.

Wine has a very precise sweet spot, which is why choosing the right wine cellar cooling system is essential. You want to make sure that your wine is stored in an environment with optimum storage conditions, the kind you find in natural wine cellars in Europe. In this article, we explore the different types of cooling systems available on the market.

What is a self-contained cooling system?

Self-contained cooling systems are an affordable option for the wine lover. In these systems, all the elements are compacted into one single unit. The condenser and the evaporator are combined inside the appliance, which makes it easy to install right out of the box in your wine room. There are different types of self-contained cooling systems, which have varying capacities. They generally have limited cooling capacities.

Here are some features:

  • No HVAC technician is required for the installation
  • Some models come with electric control panels
  • Capacity can range depending on the model selected (ex: 90 to 2000 cubic feet)

Self contained wine cooling system

What is a split cooling system?

As their name suggests, split cooling systems are appliances where the units are separated. The condenser and evaporator are two separate units, which are connected to each other by an insulated suction line as well as a liquid line. Their installation is more expensive than self-contained cooling systems.

Here are some features:

  • The condensing unit can be placed in a remote location
  • These systems can be wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted, floor mounted, etc.
  • Capacity can range depending on the model selected

Split wine cooling system

What is a ducted cooling system?

Ducted systems are, as their name implies,  fully ducted, which means that they can be installed in a remote location outside of the cellar to reduce noise and vibrations. These wine cellar cooling units chill your cellar through ducts.

Here are some features:

  • Flexibility of installation
  • Capacity can range depending on the model selected

Ducted wine cooling system

What is a split e-cool cooling system?

The Wine Square’s thermoelectric cooling system is known for its stability and longevity. The option for serious wine collectors. This cooling technology is currently used in medical laboratories and is designed to maintain a constant temperature making it 100x more stable than any other system on the market.

In comparison to standard thermoelectricity which has a performance coefficient of 20%, the E-COOL technology has a 100% performance coefficient making it the only thermoelectric system able to cool large spaces.

The system does not use any refrigerant gas. The cooling is achieved by running distilled water through cold and warm closed water loops, making the E-COOL system the greenest option on the market.

This wine cooling system is so precise that when it cools, it adjusts the temperature of its cold-water loop in order to never cause any condensation. Consequently, eliminating any thermal shock, thus, keeping the natural humidity in the room and maximizing the optimal aging conditions.

The E-COOL system operates silently and does not produce any vibration inside the cellar, which can be harmful for wine aging.

  • Easy to install, autonomous system, does not require any drain or venting docks, simply an electrical output.
  • Customizable sleek design that blends seamlessly with any decor
  • Ceiling mounted, to maximize storing capacity and thermal distribution in the cellar
  • Maintains the best environment for long term storage
  • Internet connected for remote monitoring, auto update and data history
  • No HVAC technician required for installation
  • No compressor needed

Split e-cool wine cooling system

What are the advantages of the e-cool cooling system?

Temperature stability

The Wine Square offers more accurate and more stable temperature control. With The Cube, temperature control can be maintained within fractions of one degree whereas conventional cooling systems using compressors maintain it between a range of 1 to 2 degrees celsius from the chosen value. With the e-cool technology, you will have the accuracy of medical equipment at the heart of your wine cellar.

Temperature stability of The Cube wine cooling device

Uniformity of temperature

Unlike compressors, The Cube (the brain of the system) is able to operate continuously so it does not need to run as cold. It can practically work at room temperature whereas compressors send very cold air into the wine cellar locally to lower the temperature. Momentarily, in places, when the compressor starts operating, it will push air with temperatures as low as 3 to 4 °C so the bottles that are near the compressor will suffer thermal shocks.

The technology of The Wine Square will push air at a temperature of half a degree Celsius cooler than the setpoint so the difference is minimal. Plus, you can follow the different flows and aging conditions of your wine cellar in real-time with Alfred’s cellar management application, which is perfectly integrated into the Cube ̊ technology.

Moisture preservation

Humidity control is essential to maintain the elasticity of corks and ensure optimal gas exchange. The Cube preserves the optimal amount of moisture needed in your wine cellar. On the other hand, compressors release cold and dry air so it is often necessary to have a humidifier to bring moisture back into the wine cellar.

Noise

The Cube is as silent as a laptop, operating at the threshold of audibility.

Lifespan

The lifespan of The Cube is of over 170,000 hours, which represents over 20 years of continuous use. This value is much higher than that of compressors which have an average lifespan of 5 to 7 years.

Environmentally-friendly

From an environmental perspective, thermoelectric cooling systems provide an alternative to consumers who are environmentally conscious as they don’t use chlorofluorocarbons. Also, The Wine Square’s E-cool technology energizes cells in such a way that they bring the coefficient of performance to 100%. You’re literally getting the best of both worlds!

Design

The Cube has a very small size compared to conventional cooling systems that use compressors, which makes it more convenient and adaptable to both small and large spaces. In addition, you can customize the color and texture of your cube.

Cube wine system fits into the designMaintenance

Unlike compressors, The Cube has no moving parts so less frequent maintenance is required. The Wine Square takes care of the installation and maintenance of all the wine cellars it distributes so that you have a worry-free experience.

Feel free to contact us to discuss your project. You’ll receive a quote within 24 hours after submitting your request!

The Different Types of Wine Cellar Cooling Systems

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