Great Tip for Using the CellarPro 4200 Wine Cellar Cooling Unit

Brian – Our Proud Custom Wine Cellar Owner St Louis Missouri

Installing a wine cellar refrigeration system can present a unique set of challenges that require careful consideration and expertise. For the homeowner we are featuring here today, he’s concern was whether he ordered the right add ons for this CellaPro 4000 considering the shape, size, and location of his wine cellar. So he contacted an expert and CellarPro and learned something interesting.

But first, let’s go through some common challenges that people generally encounter or get confused about during the installation process.

1. Getting the Wrong Size: Determining the correct size and capacity of the refrigeration system is crucial. Failure to size the system correctly can result in inadequate cooling or excessive energy consumption. Factors such as the size of the cellar, insulation quality, and the number of wine bottles you intend to store all play a role in selecting the appropriate system, so make sure you plan the design of your cellar well.

2. Planning the Ventilation: Adequate ventilation is essential to maintain optimal temperature and humidity levels. Proper airflow prevents the formation of hot spots and ensures even cooling throughout the cellar. Depending on the type of system chosen, you need to consider the placement of vents, ductwork, or air circulation fans to maintain ideal conditions.

3. Reducing Noise and Vibration: Wine cellar refrigeration systems should operate quietly to avoid disturbing the tranquility of your cellar. Vibrations caused by the cooling unit can potentially harm the wine and affect its aging process. Selecting a system with low vibration levels and considering vibration isolation techniques during installation can help mitigate these issues.

4. Ductwork in a Constrained Space: If you opt for a ducted refrigeration system, careful planning is required to design and install ductwork that fits within the available space. The design should consider the cellar layout, structural limitations, and aesthetics to ensure a seamless integration of the system while maximizing cooling efficiency.

5. Setting Up Electricals: Wine cellar refrigeration systems require proper electrical connections to ensure safe and reliable operation. Working with a certified electrician is essential to ensure compliance with electrical codes and to handle any necessary wiring or power supply upgrades.

By addressing these challenges with meticulous planning and professional guidance, you can overcome the hurdles of installation and create a wine cellar environment that preserves and enhances your wine collection for years to come.

Case Story

For Brian, our homeowner, he sought the help and guidance of a professional wine cellar refrigeration expert to verify if the wine cellar refrigeration package he ordered from us was the right one.

Brian commissioned Coastal Custom Wine Cellars to design and build a contemporary basement wine cellar in his Missouri residence. It was an 8′ x 8′ x 8′ wine cellar with a tempered glass wall on one side.  Based on the size and design of his approved wine cellar, we found it best to go with the powerful CellarPro 4200, a split-system cooling unit excellent for wine cellars up to 1000 cu.ft.

Furthermore, since he wanted to place the cooling unit outside, we recommended that he install both a front and back vent kit.

What are Front Vents and Back Vents?

In ducted wine cellar refrigeration systems, front vent kits and back vent kits serve distinct purposes to optimize the cooling performance and airflow within the cellar. Here’s an overview of each:

Front Vent Kits:

Front vent kits are designed to facilitate the intake of cool air into the cooling unit. They typically consist of a front grille or louvered panel that is installed on the front side of the cellar or within the cellar door. The purpose of the front vent kit is to allow the cooling unit to draw in ambient air from the cellar space, which is then cooled and circulated back into the cellar.

Back Vent Kits:

Back vent kits are installed on the opposite side of the cooling unit, typically on an adjacent wall or in an adjacent room. These kits are responsible for expelling the warm air generated by the cooling unit to the outside environment. They consist of a back grille or louvered panel that serves as an exhaust outlet for the heated air.

Both front vent kits and back vent kits play crucial roles in optimizing the performance and efficiency of ducted wine cellar refrigeration systems. The selection of the appropriate venting configuration depends on factors such as cellar layout, available space, and personal preferences, all of which should be considered during the installation process.

Brians Question Was: Was there really a need to purchase both front and back vent kits?

The short answer was — yes. Considering the set up of his wine cellar and the fact that he wanted to place the cooling unit outside, the use of front and back vents was necessary for the reasons stated above. Other advantages of each type of vent include:

The benefits of front vent kits include:

1. Improved Airflow: By drawing air from within the cellar, the front vent kit ensures that the cooling unit receives a fresh supply of air, promoting efficient cooling and temperature distribution throughout the cellar.

2. Reduced Heat Buildup: By pulling in ambient air, the front vent kit helps prevent the accumulation of heat near the cooling unit, reducing the risk of overheating and optimizing the system’s performance.

3. Space Optimization: Front vent kits offer flexibility in cellar design, as they allow the cooling unit to be placed in a location that maximizes space utilization. This can be particularly advantageous for cellars with limited space or unconventional layouts.

The advantages of back vent kits include:

1. Heat Dissipation: By expelling warm air to the outside, back vent kits help dissipate the heat generated by the cooling unit effectively. This prevents the accumulation of heat within the cellar, ensuring a stable and optimal temperature for wine storage.

2. Noise Reduction: Back vent kits allow for the installation of the cooling unit in a separate, less frequented space, reducing the noise and vibrations transmitted to the cellar. This helps maintain a serene and peaceful environment within the cellar.

3. Aesthetic Appeal: By moving the cooling unit to an adjacent room or space, back vent kits can contribute to a cleaner and more visually appealing cellar design. The absence of visible cooling equipment within the cellar allows for a seamless integration of the wine storage area with the overall aesthetics of the space.

By consulting with an actual brand and system expert, Brian was able to confirm that using two types of vents would give him more advantages for his wine collection.

ACTUAL CHAT TRANSCRIPT

Below is a recent chat session with a client in St. Louis Missouri about CellarPro wine cellar cooling units that we though was useful and informative enough for us to share. The nuances of how different refrigeration systems function and need to be installed in a wine cellar can be non-intuitive and even confusing at times.

Many thanks to Brian, a proud custom wine cellar owner & Ben at CellarPro for allowing us to share their conversation!

Ben: Thank you for contacting CellarPro Cooling Systems. My name is Ben. How may I help you today?
Brian: Hi Ben,
Brian: The retailer has sold me a front and back vent kit, but I believe that I only need one or the other. I have not received it yet. I believe it is in the shipping stage. Can you help determine what is really needed? Or, should I call and talk with someone tomorrow?
Ben: I can try to help you, but ultimately I may need to send you back to the retailer.
Brian: I have an 8’X 8’X 8′ cellar with a tempered glass wall on one side in my cool basement. I have bought a Cellarpro 4200. I am planning to attach the unit to the backside of a wall that is in a mechanical room and vent the cool air in and warm air out, but I need to exhaust the warm air to a window only 8 feet away. I do not know if I need a front and rear vent kit since there is a cool air return and an exhaust with either one. Do I really need both?

CellarPro 4200 Wine Cellar Cooling Units

Ben: btw I searched our system for your name but I wasn’t able to find any records – do you have the sales order number?
Ben: Just to make sure we’re on the same page, I’d like to state some basics for how our cooling system works – ok with you?
Brian: It is through Jerry Wilson at Coastal Custom Wine Cellars in Orange County, Ca. but I am in St. Louis Missouri
Brian: Sure. OK
Brian: In order to maximize space in the cellar and for aesthetics I thought I would hang the unit out of site on the outside of the cellar wall and duct in/out. Does this work?
Ben: The front of the cooling unit has BOTH exhaust and intake (or supply and return) of cold air into and out of the cellar. Therefore, all the air inside the cellar stays inside the cellar – even the air that is ducted into/out of the cellar, because it’s the same loop.
Ben: The rear of the cooling unit also has both exhaust and intake. It needs cool air to do its job – otherwise, it will overheat and won’t be able to cool your cellar. None of the air at the rear comes from the cellar.
Ben: So far so good?
Brian: Yes

Ben Argov co-owner of the wine cooling systems manufacturer CellarPro

Ben: So, if you want to put the cooling unit OUTSIDE the cellar, you’ll need the front duct kit, along with two ducts – one for exhaust and one for intake. This is a great setup because it creates room inside the cellar. Lots of times, customers will pair the front duct kit with our remote control display so that they can read the display and control the cooling unit from inside the cellar or in a more accessible location.
Ben: In addition,
Ben: if the mechanical room isn’t big enough to dissipate the hot air from the cooling unit, you’ll need to evacuate the hot air produced by the cooling unit, and/or bring cool air to the cooling unit from another location. Hence the need for the rear duct kit.
Brian: I did order the remote control display.
Ben: I’ll pause here and let you catch up…. Do you have any questions?
Brian: So it sounds like I do in fact need both.
Ben: So it seems, based on the little bit that you’ve told me. But Jerry would know for sure – and he’s very knowledgeable, so I think you’re in good hands.
Brian: Thanks. I appreciate the support. Have a great night!
Ben: You bet. Thanks for chatting!

Learn more about the different types of wine cellar cooling systems . Have a question or need help to choose a wine cellar refrigeration system?

No wine cellar refrigeration systems were mistreated in this production, though some colors were changed to protect the innocent. Minor edits were made for spelling only…