Buying Guide: Thermal Loads for Below-Grade Wine Cellars

Two Scenarios at 55°F

1800XT BTUH 1456

1800XTS BTUH 1886

3200VS BTUH 3040

4200VS BTUH 3938

We provide data for two scenarios:

• Scenario 1: The cellar has two 6-inch concrete walls against grade + two insulated (R12) walls against temperature-controlled interior space.
• Scenario 2: The cellar has three 6-inch concrete walls against grade + one insulated (R12) wall against temperature-controlled interior space.

The table is shaded to show which CellarPro refrigeration system will be required to maintain 55°F inside the wine cellar, using the following assumptions:

• The GROUND temperature corresponds to the average earth temperature opposite the concrete walls.in the cellar. Please refer to our chart that depicts ground temperatures in various parts of the country, which can vary by 20-30 F depending on geography.
• The AIR temperature correspond to the conditions in the temperature-controlled environment that is opposite the insulated wall(s) in the cellar.
• The shading indicates the recommended cooling unit based on the calculated thermal load (refer to the shading at the top of the table).
• A blue area with () indicates conditions that are beyond the capacity of our 4200 Series cooling units; therefore, our 6000S or 8000S split refrigeration system would be required.

The thermal loads above are calculated based on the R-Values discussed above. Lower R-Values in the cellar (eg from glass windows, doors or walls), uninsulated walls that are not fully below grade, and/or exposure to warmer air temperatures will increase the thermal load on the wine cellar. To be certain that the thermal load won't exceed the capacity of the cooling unit, email your wine cellar specifications to us and we'll be glad to assist you.