Humidity Recommendations for CellarPro Cooling Units

CellarPro cooling units don't create humidity, but they will put moisture back into your cellar. (They also will pull out moisture when humidity levels are too high.)

In some locations where ambient humidity conditions and/or temperatures are too low, the humidity in your cellar may fall below optimal levels. For more information, click here to view our wine cellar humidity chart. Recall that central heating systems create very dry environments.

If your cellar's humidity is below your desired range:

1. Raise the Minimum Set Point inside your cellar. At 55 degrees, the air in your cellar can't hold as much moisture as it can hold at 60 degrees
2. Increase the fan speed on your cooling unit. If your cooling unit has variable-speed fans, increasing the fan speed will reduce the run time of the compressor, which in turn will reduce the condensation on the evaporator coils and increase humidity inside the cellar.
3. Cycle the unit based on air temperature (vs liquid). If you're using a bottle probe inside a bottle, pull the probe out of the bottle and let it measure the air temperature instead of liquid temperature. When measuring air temperature, don't forget to change the HY parameter to "4" on your control panel.
4. Add moisture to the cellar environment. By placing a bowl or bucket of water inside your cellar, the humidity should rise as the water evaporates. You also can add a humidifier inside your cellar; in this case, make sure you use distilled water, or else the cooling unit's internal components will get covered (and get damaged) in "white dust."
5. Increase the thermal mass inside the cellar. By increasing the thermal mass, you will reduce run times because the cooling unit won't be running as much to cool empty air. You can increase your thermal mass with wine, but if your collection isn't big enough, you also can use water bottles, beer bottles or even soda cans.
6. Make sure your hygrometer is accurate. Many hygrometers - especially inexpensive digital hygrometers - give humidity readings that are 5%, 10% or even 20% off from the actual humidity.

If your cellar's humidity is too high:

1. Lower the minimum Set Point of your cellar.
2. Check that your cellar is airtight. If your cellar has any air gaps or walls without a vapor barrier, it will allow moist air to infiltrate into the cellar.
3. Make sure your hygrometer is accurate. Many hygrometers - especially inexpensive digital hygrometers - give humidity readings that are 5%, 10% or even 20% off from the actual humidity. If you are not getting humidity readings in the 50% to 60% range and you live in a temperate environment, reply to this email with the make/model of your hygrometer, and we'll be glad to research the issue for you.
4. We always recommend leaving the FON setting at 4 or 5, because it is extremely efficient and extends the life of the compressor.

If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to contact us.