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Types of Refrigeration Systems

Through-the-Wall, Split and Ducted

The most common types of wine cellar refrigeration systems are: Through-the-Wall, Split, and Ducted Systems. All of these refrigeration systems are forced-air systems that cool the air inside the wine cellar by circulating the air via fans (rather than by radiating via cold wall.)

Through-the-wall systems are the easist and least expensive systems to install, because each unit is self-enclosed, fully charged and ready-to-use out of the box. These systems have a "hot" side and and "cold" side, and are designed straddle a wall in the wine cellar. The "cold" side of the cooling unit is located inside the cellar, and the "hot" side of the cooling unit is located in the ambient environment outside the cellar. Some cooling systems can be installed with the "hot" side exposed to an exterior environment.

Split systems are more expensive and complicated to install because they need to be installed and charged by a qualified refrigeration technician. The advantage of split systems is that the the "hot" side and the "cold" sides, which are attached via copper tubing, can be located in separate locations. This allows the compressor and condenser fan to be placed in a location where noise and aesthetics are less noticeable.

Ducted systems are the most expensive to install because they require professonal installation and equipment that is powerful enough to cool the cellar from a remote location. The advantage of ducted systems is that all the equipment and noise are located remotely.

CellarPro primarily offers through-the-wall cooling systems that are fully-charged, self-enclosed and easy to install, service and replace. If a through-the-wall CellarPro cooling unit needs to be serviced or swapped, generally it can be removed from the front of the cellar with a wrench and a screwdriver.

CellarPro cooling units offer exceptional performance and features while maintaining the quietest noise level. Our 1800 Series wine cooling units are among the quietest in the market, while our 4200 Series offers variable-speed fan control that provides performance when necessary, and quiet operation when desired.

Hot Air Exhaust

What's the difference between top and back vent exhaust?

Depending on the layout of the wine cellar or cabinet, the cooling unit will need to exhaust it's hot air behind (back-vent) or above (top-vent) the unit. Most cooling units come preconfigured for top or back venting. Generally, top-vent cooling units are more expensive than back-vent cooing units.

CellarPro 1800 Series wine cooling units come with interchangeable top and back-vent exhaust. for maximum installation flexibility. There is no extra charge for top or back vent configurations, and the vent panel can be swapped easily in the field.

Service in the Field

Does it matter if the cooling unit case can be opened?

Most cooling unit cases are riveted together, so repairs cannot be performed in the field. Therefore, easy repairs - like recharging the cooling system - must be performed at the manufacturer's facility, which can create unneccessary shipping charges and delays.

CellarPro cooling units are screwed together, so the cooling unit can be serviced in the field. In our 4200 Series cooling units, we've provided a Shraeder valve so that refrigeration technicians easily can charge the unit in the field. In fact, all of our cooling units list the refrigerant charge on the exterior case for easy access and service.

Testing and Certification

Are all cooling units tested and certified?

All consumer products - including wine cellar cooling units - should be tested and certified by independant labs to meet established safety standards. Unfortunately, many cooling units are not tested and certified to meet these safety standards.

CellarPro cooling units have been tested, approved and certified to meet rigorous UL product safety standards. Each CellarPro cooling unit bears the ETL Listed Mark, which is the fastest growing safety certification mark in North America. The ETL Listed Mark assures that CellarPro cooling units meet the requirements of U.S. electrical safety standards.