In a few weeks, we will begin selling new BILD 1800 wine cabinets.  For customers that are handy and/or on a budget, though these wine cabinets require assembly, they will include a choice of CellarPro 1800 refrigeration sytems, metal racking for oversized bottles,  double-pane tinted glass and a choice of melamine finishes.  Best of all, these wine cabinets will retail below $2000.  For more information and images, please visit  http://www.sonomawineaccessories.com/wine-cabinets/bild-wine-cabinets_2/

Wine cellars are designed to maintain proper wine storage conditions (ie 55-60 degrees & 60-70% humidity), whereas wine coolers are designed to maintain proper wine serving temperatures (ie 55-58 degrees for red wines and 45-48 degrees for white wines).  So, what about putting a wine cooler INSIDE a wine cellar – it’s the best of all worlds, right?

The answer is:  maybe.   Since the wine cooler would be located entirely inside the wine cellar, all of the heat load generated by the wine cooler would go into the wine cellar, and therefore it would need to be included in the box load of the wine cellar.  For a 50-bottle wine refrigerator, the total additional cellar load would be approximately 1000 BTUH, which is not insignificant.

So will it work?  Yes, of course - just make sure that the wine cellar refrigeration system is sized appropriately, and the thermal load is calculated to include the additional heat generated by the wine cooler. 

For more information, including box loads assuming various dimensions, construction materials and configurations, please visit http://www.cellarprocoolingsystems.com/information-center_cp/cooling-unit-buying-guide, or contact us and we’ll get back to you within 1 business day.

The Wine Specatator’s August 31, 2011 issue has a great article about how to buy wine at auction, including nine strategies to help newbies participate with success. 

Here’s a (self serving!) excerpt from the article:

“Auction houses offer catalogs of their upcoming sales.  Read the catalog’s condition reports carefully.  Wines kept in professional or home temperature-and-humidity-controlled storage are preferable to collections housed in natural or ‘passive’ cellars, because the latter are often subject to temperature fluctuations, whihc can affect wines adversely.”

Only Le Cache wine cabinets feature CellarPro cooling units with adjustable humidity control.  For more information, visit www.lecachewinecabinets.com and www.cellarprocoolingsystems.com.  At www.sonomawineaccessories.com, we carry the complete lines of products from Le Cache and CellarPro, as well as other high-end products from well-known manufacturers of wine cellar racks, wine storage products and wine accessories.

We recently created product demos for Le Cache Contemporary and European Country wine cabinets, and CellarPro 1800 and VS Series wine cooling units.  The Le Cache demos are narrated and animated to highlight product features, galleries, comparisons, options/upgrades and specifications.  The CellarPro demos also include narrated installation instructions for wine cellar installations.

To view these demos, start at the product page for the item you wish to view, and click on the “View Demo” button, or click on a link below:

• Le Cache Wine Cabinets
  • Contemporary Wine Cabinets Demo
  • European Country Wine Cabinets Demo
• CellarPro Cooling Systems
  • 1800 Series Wine Cooling Units Demo
  • VS Series Wine Cellar Refrigeration Systems Demo
  • Wine Cellar Split Refrigeration Systems Demo – coming soon

Let us know what you think!

We get tons of calls from customers, contractors and HVAC/R technicians asking what to do about the condensate drain line - where to put it, whether to use a self-contained evaporator or a pump, or if they should build a drain specifically for the drain line. 

The reason for the calls is that they have experienced massive amounts of moisture and condensation generated by our competitors’ refrigeration equipment, and they want to make be prepared.  Smart! 

What they don’t know is the following:  assuming the cellar is AIRTIGHT with a MOISTURE (AKA VAPOR) BARRIER, our cooling systems will generate very little excess condensation (with 2 caveats* – see below).  The reason why our systems are different is as follows:  when we designed our wine cellar refrigeration systems, we sized the evaporator coils and the compressors so that cooling system can do its job WITHOUT running the evaporator below the dew point.  In contrast, other manufacturers’ coils are much smaller, which means that the coils must be colder to achieve the same BTUH.

In other words, you probably won’t see a lot of excess condensate (ie water) coming out of the drain line from a CellarPro refrigeration system.  The benefits of our systems are tangible: 

• Because the water remains in the cellar, the humidity remains much higher inside the cellar.
• Because the amount of moisture will be minimal on an ongoing basis*, you probably can get away with draining into a bottle for the initial pulldown; thereafter, leave the drain line in the bottle, but you probably won’t see much moisture from that point forward. 

At CellarPro, our systems really are different!

*Caveats:  1.  During the initial pulldown, the cooling unit may generate a lot of excess condensate.  This situation will resolve itself once pulldown is achieved.  2.  The more frequently the cellar door is opened, the higher the risk of excess condensation (because moisture from the ambient environment will enter the room each time the door is opened.

We are excited to announce the introduction of extended warranties for all Le Cache Wine Cabinets, as well as CellarPro 1800 Series wine cooling units and CellarPro VS Series (ie 3200VSi/VSx & 4200VSi/VSx) refrigeration systems.  

These extended warranties enhance the coverage and extend the terms of the standard warranties associated with our wine storage equipment.  The extended warranties differ by product, as summarized below. For complete terms and conditions, please click on the link beside each warranty.

• Le Cache Wine Cabinets:
  • $199 Retail + $49 Deductible per incident
  • Key Features: Increases the warranty from 2 to 5 years on the cabinet; covers all parts and labor; includes in-home service; covers round-trip shipping for replacement cooling units
  • Exclusions: Leveling / door alignment, cleaning the coils, replacing the light bulb, improper installations, commercial customers, non-transferable
  • For more information, visit http://www.lecachewinecabinets.com/wine-cabinet-accessories-lc/lecache-extended-warranty
• CellarPro 1800 Series Cooling Units:
  • $79 Retail + $49 Deductible per incident
  • Key Features: Supplements the standard 5-year warranty; covers all parts and labor; includes in-home service; covers round-trip shipping for replacement cooling units
  • Exclusions: Cleaning the coils, improper installations, acccesories, 220V units, 1800XTSx, commercial customers, non-transferable
  • For more information, visit http://www.cellarprocoolingsystems.com/purchase-wine-cooling-unit/modifications-accessories-cp/cellarpro-1800-extended-warranty
• CellarPro VS Series Cooling Units:
  • $249 Retail + $99 Deductible per incident
  • Key Features: Increases the warranty from 2 to 5 years on the entire system; covers all parts and labor; includes in-home service; covers round-trip shipping for replacement cooling units
  • Exclusions: Cleaning the coils, improper installations, accessories, 220V units, commercial customers, non-transferable
  • For more information, visit http://www.cellarprocoolingsystems.com/purchase-wine-cooling-unit/modifications-accessories-cp/cellarpro-vs-extended-warranty

If you have any questions or need additional information about our extended warranties, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

There are two types of split refrigeration systems used in wine cellars:  conventional split systems and A/C split systems.  Whereas conventional split systems are designed to maintain proper temperature and humidity conditions, A/C split systems inherently cannot maintain ideal humidity levels inside wine cellars.

Conventional split refrigeration systems, like those made by CellarPro Cooling Systems, are specifically designed for wine storage applications.  Conventional split systems use condensing units with single-speed compressors and thermostatic expansion valves that are located in the evaporators, and are designed specifically for use in wine cellars and wine storage applications.

In contrast, home air conditioning systems that are modified for use in wine cellars are called A/C split systems.   Unlike conventional split systems, A/C split systems use variable-speed compressors and electronic expansion valves that are located in the condensing units.

A/C Split System Overview:

• A/C split systems consist of an outdoor air-cooled condensing unit matched with a single or multiple fan/coil evaporator units.
• These units use “Electronic” control (ie there is no liquid solenoid valve).
• These systems are pre-charged with refrigerant R-410A.  Additional refrigerant is added depending on the length of the line-sets.
• The system is inverter controlled, automatically speeding up or slowing down the compressor and condenser fan to match the system capacity within a given capacity range.
• The evaporator fan is 3-speed, with automatic speed control and forward-curved centrifugal blowers.
• Because the expansion device is located in the condensing unit, the liquid line is actually a two-phase flow line, and must be insulated.  These application rules are more complex and line run lengths are more limited compared to a conventional system.

A/C split systems are sub-optimal for long term wine storage applications, and should be avoided in favor of conventional split systems for the following reasons:

• A/C equipment is designed for both comfort cooling, (“latent cooling”), which removes moisture from the air, and “sensible cooling”, which reduces the temperature.  In contrast, conventional split systems focus exclusively on sensible cooling, thus reducing temperature while removing as little moisture as possible.   As a result, conventional splits are better equipped to maintain the ideal humidity conditions in side wine cellars.
• The catalog design limit for most A/C equipment is 67°F DB, which is significantly higher than the optimal wine storage conditions of 55°F DB.  In most cases, A/C controllers cannot be set below 60°F, and therefore must be rewired and retrofitted to achieve desired wine storage temperatures.  Under these circumstances, the manufacturer’s warranty may become void, forcing the customer to rely exclusivly on the HVAC installer for any/all recourse.
• After A/C split systems are retrofitted, the coil temperatures necessarily will operate below the manufacturer’s recommended minimum temperatures, and therefore will reduce coil temperatures below the cellar dew point. This is likely to result in frosted conditions, thereby extracting moisture from the room and reducing the cellar’s humidity below ideal levels.
• A/C split system compressor ratings are quoted for air conditioning applications, making it difficult to calculate the correct BTUH for wine storage applications.  Therefore, contractors must engage in trial and error when sizing A/C split systems for wine cellars, as opposed to using proper engineering models and scientific data.
• Due to the complexities of the controller and the two-phase piping system, A/C split systems require a higher level of expertise and training than conventional split systems, thereby increasing installation and maintenance costs.

Before purchasing a split refrigeration system for your wine cellar, it is advisable to ask your contractor what kind of refrigeration equipment he intends to use.  If  you don’t understand his answer, feel free to give us a call and we’ll be glad to help.  Our toll-free number is 877.726.8496.

CellarPro Cooling Systems recently launched its Mini Split 3000S wine cellar refrigeration system, priced at $2499, for use in wine cellars up to 600 cubic feet.  WhisperKool also sells a Platinum Mini Split, priced at $2495, which is advertised for use in wine cellars up to 500 cubic feet. 

We believe WhisperKool’s coils and compressors are undersized, which forces their condensing units to work extra hard and can result in premature failure.  Take a look at the following table:

We are thrilled to announce that, as of today, we are launching our reengineered CellarPro 1800QTL cooling units.

We were able to reduce the noise level of our 1800QTL cooling units, while maintaining our superior performance, by redesigning the fan components used on the condensing side of the cooling unit. Our newly reengineered 1800 QTL cooling units will use two fans instead of one fan to exhaust the hot air, resulting in lower RPMs and meaningfully quieter performance without sacrificing cooling power.

CellarPro 1800QTL cooling units are available for immedate use in all Le Cache wine cabinets. Now, Le Cache customers will enjoy the QUIETEST self-contained wine cooling units in the market, along with all the features and benefits that come standard on all CellarPro cooling units, such as:

• Oustanding cooling performance
• Adjustable humidity control
• Electronic thermostat and digital display
• Audible and visual alarms
• Interchangeable top or rear vent exhaust
• High-performance air filtration system
• Auto defrost
• 5-Year warranty (parts and labor)
• Made in the USA

Please note that we will leave the prices for Le Cache Wine Cabinets and 1800QTL cooling units unchanged.  At CellarPro and Le Cache, we are committed to the continuous improvement of our products and services. If you have any questions about our redesigned cooling unit, please don’t hesitate to ask.

When installing a split refrigeration system, it is CRITICALLY IMPORTANT to use the correct size lines, which typically are installed in advance, because once you close the walls, it is very difficult to change these lines. 

The most common types of wine cellar refrigeration systems are:

• Through-the-wall wine cooling units
• Split systems
• Ducted systems

Advance planning is required for each of these systems. 

• For through-the-wall cooling units, an opening in the wall must be framed to fit the cooling unit. 
• For split systems, the copper lines that connect the evaporator and condensing units must be installed in the walls.   The size of these copper lines MUST follow the manufacturer’s specifications, otherwise the cooling unit will not perform as advertised.  Click here to view our line sizing chart.    In addition, wiring  between the units may be required (when electronic control is desired), as well as the condensate drain line.
• Ducted systems require ducting to be installed during the construction phase and cannot easily be added after drywall has been added.

For more information about each of these refrigeration systems, refer to our wine cellar refrigeration buying guide.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact CellarPro Cooling Systems.

One of our competitors recently launched a new (cheap) product line of wine cellar refrigeration equipment under a new name and website, with a different phone number and contact address than their existing brand.  It seems like they don’t want anyone to know that they’re affiliated with the new brand.  Is it because the new brand is low quality and they don’t want to drag down the established brand?   Or maybe they don’t want to cannibalize sales of the established brand?  Or maybe they’re embarrassed because the new brand has a shorter warranty and hard to look at? 

Frankly, we don’t understand their logic; nevertheless, we wanted to pass along the following suggestions to our competitor:

• You forgot to remove the parent name Vinotheque in the warranty.
• Your reference to Stockton in the warranty gives away your identity.
• Whisperkool’s phone number is listed in the new site and gives away your identity.
• It took exactly 27 seconds to lookup the owner of the URL – ie Vinotheque – using whois
• Even after you clean up your site, give your customers more credit – they will learn your identity no matter what you do

Though the new brand name sounds a lot like CellarPro, that’s where the similarities end.  At CellarPro Cooling Systems, we manufacture advanced wine cellar refrigeration equipment, made in the USA with the finest components and the latest technology, and backed by the best warranty in the industry.   All of our performance results, load calculations, drawings and specs are posted on our site.  We are proud of our products and we have nothing to hide.

To our competitor:  if you feel like hiding from your product, what’s the point??  Anyway, good luck with your new venture!

We are excited to announce the launch our new line wine cellar split refrigeration systems, covering 400 to 2000 cubic feet, as follows:

* Exposure to temperatures below 40°F requires the addition of our compressor heater.
**Our exterior hood (sold separately) allows our condensing units to be installed in external environments, subject to the temperature range noted above. Our outdoor hood will retail for $300.
***Decibels measured at low fan speed.

Our Split system evaporators use the same variable speed fans and advanced controls that we use in our VS Series through-the-wall cooling units. As a result, our Split systems provide super-quiet operation, outstanding cooling power and adjustable humidity control that our competitors can’t match. In addition, we offer 5 years for the compressor, and 2 years on the entire system, of warranty coverage. ETL certification is pending for all units.

Find images, cut sheets and more details about CellarPro Split refrigeration systems for wine cellars.

We are pleased to announce that, going forward, we will offer two types of condensate drain line modifications for customers who purchase CellarPro 1800* wine cooling units.  When these cooling units will be installed in wine cellars (as opposed to wine cabinets), we strongly recommend adding one of these modifications. 

• Condensate Drain Line -  Our 1/2″ ID fitting and drain line provide a path for excess condensation to exit from inside the cooling unit.  The condensate drain line exits from the rear of the cooling unit, and should be drained into a bucket or drain.  Instead of the heating element, we include a “hot gas loop” that should evaporate approximately 3 oz per hour.
• Condensate Drain Line + Heating Element - Same os the condensate drain line, we add a 100W heating element (which replaces the hot gas loop) that should evaporate approximately 6 oz per hour. 

The heating element upgrade makes sense for high-humidity environments, and/or wine cellars with compromised moisture barriers, and/or environments that cannot accommodate the drain line.

We reduced the price of the condensate drain line (which previouslywas offered as our “Wine Cellar Modification”) from $100 to $75.  The price of the condensate drain line + heating element is $150.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about our products.

* Please note:  A condensate drain line and heating element are standard in larger CellarPro cooling units, such as our 3200VS and 4200VS cooling units.

Wine Guardian recently announced that their “through-the-wall [cooling unit] sets itself apart from other wine cooling equipment by being the quietest and most energy efficient though-the-wall system available in North America. These findings have been confirmed in independent lab testing conducted by Clarkson University.”

Who did Wine Guardian choose to benchmark against?  The tested units included “two WhisperKOOL units, manufactured by Vinotheque (models 4200 and 8000), and one Breezaire unit, manufactured by Breezaire Products Company (model 4000).”

Want to take a guess why Wine Guardian didn’t include CellarPro in their tests? Maybe it’s because CellarPro cooling units (at the low fan speed) are 6 decibels quieter than Wine  Guardian’s quietest unit?  Nah, probably not.

If you care about the noise level of your wine cooling unit, take a look at our decibel chart, then decide for yourself.  Or contact us and we’ll be happy to give you ALL the facts.

We are pleased to announce the introduction of the CellarPro 3200VSi and 3200VSx wine cellar cooling units.

Offered with the same dimensions and all the same features as our popular 4200VSi and 4200VSx cooling units, the 3200VSi and 3200VSx cooling units are designed for wine cellars ranging from 400 to 800 cubic feet.  The 3200VSi is designed for through-the-wall or ducted use in internal environments, and and the 3200VSx is designed for through-the-wall use in external environments.  (“VS” designates “variable speed”, “i” designates “internal” and “x” designates “external”).

CellarPro 3200VS and 4200VS cooling units are designed to provide optimal performance in extreme temperatures, ranging from 40 to 115 degrees.  In addition, our cooling units provide adjustable humidity control and super-quiet operation (nearly 10 decibels quieter than Whisperkool’s comparable cooling unit at the low fan setting). Our unit offers variable fan speeds so that customers can use low (ie quiet) fan speeds for mild environments, and higher fan settings when conditions require additional BTUs. Visit www.CellarProCoolingSystems.com for detailed performance charts and to compare Whisperkool, Breezaire and CellarPro cooling units.

All CellarPro 3200VS and 4200VS cooling units are loaded with the following standard features and upgrades:

- Designed to operate in extreme temperature conditions (from 40 to 115°F)
- Variable Speed Fans:  allows customers to select between Super-Quiet (54 Decibels at Low Fan Speed) and Maximum Power (66 Decibels at High Fan Speed)
- Advanced Electronic Thermostat
- Adjustable Humidity Control
- Thermostat-Controlled Condensate Evaporator with “On/Off” Switch
- Digital LED Display
- Energy-Saver and Quick-Chill Modes
- Multiple Audible and Visual Alarms
- Min/Max Temperature
- Maintenance-Needed Indicator
- Power On/Off Switch
- Auto-Defrost Cycle
- 1/2″ ID Condensate Fitting and Drain Line
- Fully Ductable
- Condenser Air Filter
- Adjustable Mounting Brackets
- Dual Power Source – Front or Rear
- High-Performance Compressor
- Oversized Coated Evaporator Coils
- Dual High-Output Centrifugal Fans
- Stainless Steel Drain Pan
- Removable Powdercoated Steel Case
- Rechargeable Refrigerant Schraeder Valve
- Vibration-free Operation
- Compatible with a Dedicated 15-Amp Circuit
- ETL Tested and Certified (UL Standards)

CellarPro is accepting and shipping orders immediately. For more information, contact us via email anytime or call 877.888.9137 during normal business hours.

We are excited to announce the launch of our Dual Zone Modification for Le Cache Wine Cabinets.

The dual zone modification provides two completely separate temperature zones inside Le Cache wine cabinets, with optimal storage conditions in one hald of the cabinet, and optimal serving temperatures in the other half.

The zone modification is available exclusively with larger Le Cache wine cabinets – ie sizes 3100, 3800 and 5200. This modification is perfect for restaurants, hotels and bars that need to maintain both serving AND storage conditions inside one cabinet. Please note: the dual zone modification automatically includes an upgraded CellarPro 1800XTS cooling unit, which provides additional BTU required to handle the additional thermal load.

The dual zone modification will be available and ready to ship with cabinets at the end of November. The price of the dual zone upgrade (including the upgraded cooling unit) is $399.

For more information, please click on the following link: www.lecachewinecabinets.com/wine-cabinet-accessories-lc/dual-zone-modification.

We are pleased to announce the introduction of the CellarPro 1800XTSX wine cellar cooling unit.  In addition to the components in our popular CellarPro 1800XTS, the 1800XTSX adds:

• an outdoor weather hood;
• coated condenser coils;
• power cord modification (ie the cord exits from the front/side, rather than the rear, of the cooling unit); and
• wine cellar modification (ie drain line for excess condensate)

The CellarPro 1800XTSX cooling unit will cool wine cellars up to 400 cubic feet in capacity with R19 insulation. Check our wine cellar BTU capacity chart for more information.  The cooling unit can be installed and exposed to external conditions ranging from 40 to 95 degrees.

CellarPro is accepting orders immediately, and expects to begin shipping orders by mid November.  For more information, contact us via email anytime or call 877.888.9137 during normal business hours.

Storing and cellaring wine is a funny business! The goals are Goldilocks conditions:  not too warm but not too cold; not too wet but not too dry; you get the point!

The good news is that there are things you can do increase your odds for success.  Here are our top facts that you probably didn’t know about successfully storing and aging your wine:

1. The ideal humidity inside wine cellars is 60 -70 percent.  At higher humidity, your bottles labels will become moist and, eventually, moldy; at lower humidity, your corks may dry out and crack (read our Wine Storage Tips for more info). 

TIP:  To increase the RH (relative humidity) inside your wine cellar, you can increase the FON setting on the control panel of any CellarPro cooling unit.  In addition, you can increase the fan speed on your cooling unit if you have variable speed fans, like CellarPro’s 3200VS and 4200VS cooling units.

2. Wine cellars should be constructed with an airtight seal, lots of insulation and a moisture barrier.  If you don’t have enough insulation, no problem – you’ll just need a more powerful cooling unit, and your energy bill will go up – but these issues can be overcome.  However, if you don’t have a moisture barrier or an airtight seal, your cooling unit will generate a ton of condensation, which will need to be drained or evaporated somehow.

TIP: You can reduce the amount of condensation on your evaporator coils by increasing FON setting on the control panel of any CellarPro cooling unit.  In addition, you can reduce condensation by increasing the fan speed if you have variable speed fans on your cooling unit, like CellarPro’s 3200VS and 4200VS cooling units.

3. The ideal temperature for STORING ANG AGING wine is 55-60°F.  In contrast, ideal wine SERVING temperatures range from  low 40s (Champagne) to high 40s (white wines) to mid 50s (red wines). 

TIP:  If you want to lower the temperature of the cooling unit to achieve serving temperatures, you can reduce the minimum setpoint of any CellarPro cooling unit by first changing the LS and ALL parameters on the control panel.  For step-by-step instructions, please contact CellarPro Cooling Systems.

4. The most cost-effective wine cellar cooling units are through-the-wall units like the CellarPro 1800 series.  These units are self enclosed, fully charged and ready to install out of the box.  The downside can be that the rear of the units generate hot air, they need cool return air, and they create noise, all of which can be negative if the unit will be installed in a living space.

TIP:  You can install the ENTIRE cooling unit inside the cellar with our CellarPro 1800 rear duct kit.  You’ll still need to duct the hot air exhaust, and cool air supply, from outside the cellar, but the noise and disturbance will be drastically minimized.  If you install the entire cooling unit inside the cellar, don’t forget to insulate the outside of the duct hood.

5. The cooling unit will cycle on and off to maintain the desired temperature inside your wine cellar.  The more insulation you use when you construct the wine cellar, the less it will run to maintain a given temperature.

TIP:  If you want to manage the cycle times (and therefore the noise from the cooling unit), you can do any of the following:

1. Increase the FON setting, which will reduce the compressor cycle time, save energy and increase humidity inside your wine cellar
2. Increase the minimum temperature setpoint.  The higher the temperature, the less the cooling unit will run.
3. Increase the thermal mass inside the cellar.  Initally, the cooling unit will run more to get the thermal mass to the desired temperature; however, once the pull-down is complete, the cooling unit will run less frequently with a larger thermal mass
4. Keep the coils clean.  This will improve the efficiency of the cooling unit, and therefore reduce the cooling unit’s run times.

I got a funny call from a prospective customer today.  He said that the Wine-Mate  1500 top-vented cooling unit in his Vinotemp cabinet was failing – again – and he was tired of worrying about his wine collection.  He asked, “Will your cooling unit fit in my Vinotemp wine cabinet?”

“Yes, it will fit – perfectly,” I answered.  “So why should I buy your unit?” he asked. “ They’re all made by the same manufacturer, right?” 

Hold on there, cowboy.  What did you say?  “Well, that’s what I was told, by someone in the industry.”

So, let’s be clear.  Wine-Mate cooling units are made by the people who bring you Vinotemp.  CellarPro cooling units are made by the people who bring you Le Cache.  The two companies are completely separate and unrelated.  Aside from the dimensions and ventilation of Wine-Mate’s 1500 and CellarPro’s 1800 cooling units, the units are totally different machines, with different components, designs and warranties.  Customer service at the two companies couldn’t be more different.

Do your homework online – it’s not hard to find reviews of both companies .    Or call both companies, and ask questions about the products.  You’ll quickly get a feel for how different the two companies are.  Then decide for yourself!

At CellarPro, we rigorously test and benchmark our cooling units against the competition, and publish the results for all to see.  We have benchmarked our wine cooling units against the big boys -  Breezaire and Whisperkool  – in head-to-head comparisons, and have created charts and summaries that can be viewed at www.cellarprocoolingsystems.com. 

At this time, we have not tested any Wine Guardian cooling units.  Wine Guardian seems to have a good reputation in the marketplace, and their products are priced at premium levels, but if they’re so good, why is their warranty so shoddy?

• 6 months Parts & Labor
• 15 months Parts

Wow!  At CellarPro, depending on the model, all of our cooling units offer parts AND labor coverage for 2 to 5 years, and we always cover the compressor for 5 years! 

Wine Guardian’s warranty is really puzzling in light of their high prices and premium positioning.  In business school we learned about asynchronous information – the concept that, when one party has more information than the second party, there is the potential for the second party to get fleeced.  A common example is used cars, where the seller knows the history of the vehicle, whereas the buyer has no information, so the seller has an inherent advantage.

The point is that Wine Guardian has the most infomation about its products, and one can’t help but wonder what the company is signalling how it feels about its products by making the warranty so short.  Either way, CellarPro’s warranty policy is the best in the industry – and make no mistake, we ARE signalling how we feel about our products.  Very, very confident!

For readers who are technically inclined, we asked our manufucturing engineer why so many Breezaire cooling units are failing after just 3 years in the field. His answers to our questions are below.

First, a bit of context. For 17 years, Le Cache used Breezaire cooling units* exclusively in its wine cabinets. In 2006, we started receiving alarming numbers of calls from customers complaining that their cooling unit “won’t get below 60 degrees”, “runs all the time”, “won’t cool properly” and “won’t get above 49 percent humidity”, and started to notice a significant increase in manufacturing defects. That’s when we decided to develop CellarPro cooling units.

At CellarPro, we use premium components and advanced manufacturing and testing processes from beginning to end. As a result, it costs us more to build a CellarPro unit than our wholesale cost to purchase a Breezaire unit! But we felt like we had no choice, and after reading the following Q&A, we think you’ll agree.

Q. It looks like we’ve repaired approx. 50 Breezaire units in the last few months. What are the most common failures?

A:
Qty / Description
9 / Bad Controller
1 / Bad Compressor
41 /  Leak Evaporator
0 / Leak Condensor
2 / Leak Gas Loop
2 / Bad Cap/Strainer
1 / Bad Fan

This data is not 100% complete, but it outlines the general trends. Some units had multiple issues. Most common is a leak – we have stopped doing the detailed leak detection because it is so time consuming, so if the unit does not have a charge we replace the evap, hot gas loop, and cap/strainer. Most of the units with controller problems also had a leak. I would estimate 10% of the leaks to be in the gas loop, the rest are evaporator leaks.

Q. What is causing the failures?
A.

Controller: not a quality component. Between 15 and 20% of the returned leaking units also have a bad controller. Having the unit run excessively creates two problems: 1) increased coil wear on the inside due to long run times and cap tube system inability to regulate, so velocities can get higher than optimal 2) Long runs create excessive moisture on the cold side, and heat on the hot side, which accelerates the corrosion of the hot gas loop.

Evap leaks: Not conclusive, but I believe a portion are internal source leaks due to controller problems or undersized units causing excessive run times. Another factor could be that Breezaire does not evacuate their coils as effectively, or they leave their systems open too long during the brazing process which can create acids in the oil. If the leaks are external, eg acid from the wine bottles, which is a corrosive agent to coils, Breezaire’s grey coating may not be sufficient to protect against this.

Q. Is there anything we should tell customers to do in the field to extend longevity?

A. Run the unit at the highest setpoint that can be tolerated.  At 55F, the Breezaire unit may have to run constantly.

Q. Will CellarPro units experience the same failures?
Our controller is more reliable, we have defrost cycles, we have larger coils to minimize condensate generation, TEV’s to regulate the flow to prevent excessive internal refrigerant velocities, and we have electrofin coating on the coils which is much more effective against external corrosive agents. We have some risk with the hot gas loop, but we do a better job of insulating it from direct contact with other metal. A portion of the BA failures were mechanical due to a sharp mounting bracket crimped down on it, which we do not have.

Q. Should we change anything in how we manufacture our CP units?
A. We do make continuous improvements as we learn more from field feedback. With regard to what we’ve seen on BA units, our current design, components, and manufacturing processes minimize our risk of similar field failures.

*Le Cache wine cabinets used Breezaire’s WKB 1060 and WKB 2200, which are the same as WKD 1060 and 2200, WKC 1060 and 2200 and WKCE 1060 and 2200 cooling units, except that the “E” units have Electronic, rather than mechanical, controls.

I spoke with a customer yesterday who was trying to decide between CellarPro’s 4200VSi and Whisperkool’s Platinum Extreme 4000 wine cooling units. We first spoke last week, then he spoke with Scott at Whisperkool, and then he called us again yesterday.

The customer – a contractor – is building a wine cabinet inside a butlers pantry for his client, and he needs a cooling unit that can be located remotely and ducted. Initially he considered the CellarPro 1800 wine cooling unit, but these units can’t be ducted. So we talked about the CellarPro 4200VSi wine cooling unit, which CAN be ducted, and has the added advantage of variable speed fans. Because the wine cabinet is a small space, the low fan speed should be enough to maintain optimal wine storage conditions inside the cabinet, which is great news because the low fan speed is SO QUIET at 53 decibels. In comparison, Whisperkool cooling units have just one fan speed:  LOUD.  Whisperkool’s 4200 XLT emits 63 decibels, and Whisperkool’s Platinum Extreme 4000 cooling unit emits 67 decibels.  Yikes!  To compare the different cooling units, view our Cooling Unit Comparison Chart.  To view the different sound levels, click on our Cooling Unit Sound Performance Chart

After we spoke last week, the customer called Whisperkool to learn about their products.  According to the customer, when he asked Scott at Whisperkool about the variable speed fans on CellarPro cooling units, Scott replied that, “According to CellarPro’s Owner’s Manual, they do not recommend using the low fan speed.”

Huh?

Here’s the deal:  we have three fan speed settings, and each one produces a certain amount of BTU per hour (BTUH).  You can use the low, medium or high setting – whichever is most appropriate for your cellar.  To guide you, we published a thermal load chart at 55 degrees and a thermal load chart at 60 degrees, so you can calculate the thermal load of your cellar and see which fan setting will work for you.

Not only are CellarPro’s wine cooling units quieter than Whisperkool’s cooling units, they are less expensive (up to $1,000) with  more features and variable speed fans to suit most applications. At CellarPro, we’re committed to providing the highest level of customer service in the industry.   We won’t feed you silly arguments to sell you our products.  Our goal is for you to make the right decision.  You can count on it!

Postscript: The contractor purchased the CellarPro 4200VSi cooling unit – and his client loves the cooling unit!

We received – unsolicited – the following email exchange that a prospective customer had with the folks at one of our competitors:

Competitor: Hello, I will forward drawings on Monday, look forward to working with you on this project. Thank you

Customer: Thanks. Question on the WhisperKool, which unit is it? and how does it handle excessive ambient humidity? I.e. drip pan .. etc

Competitor: The unit is a UL 1200 with quiet fans, there is a heating element in the compressor fan to evaporate excessive moisture. No drain line is required.

Customer: I found the following on Goggle search for WhisperKool 1200:

Hello all,

I am looking for some advice on a Wine Storage unit I’m having trouble with. I purchased a Vinotheque (Villa Series; model 330) about 4 years ago. It worked just fine for about 2 years, then the cooling system failed (it ran, but did not cool). Even though it was beyond the 1-year warranty, they sent me a replacement, and I installed it (sent them the non-working unit back). Now, 2 years later, the same thing has happened (it runs, but does not cool). I called their customer service again (not really expecting them to offer a replacement); and they have a “Customer Care Program” to exchange the 1000 BTU with another for about $750 (plus shipping). They also offered, for the same price to send a 1200 BTU unit. I just not sure I want to spend $800 each two years to “maintain” my Vinotheque.

I would expect a quality Wine Storage to work correctly for at least 10 to 15 years, even longer since it’s not located in a harsh environment. Has anyone else had experience with WhisperKool cooling units; either good or bad? Does anybody think that these can be repaired at a reasonable cost?

I’m struggling with the choices of either getting an exchange unit or just scrapping the whole thing and getting something else.

Thanks for any and all suggestions. Also are there any other forums where I might read about others’ experiences with Wine Storage Cabinets.

Michael

Competitor: This is a planted email, by my competitors. These emails are planted by Le Cache / Breezeaire cooling system. They are there to discourage customers from Vinotheque, and sway them to their less expensive models. People buy Vinotheque for the reputation and service. That’s why my competitors attack me there, it’s obvious they can’t touch the craftsmanship (when seen in person). Our warranty is 2 years are parts and labor and shipping, 5 years on the compressor. The man below doesn’t put his name or email, if he did I would look up the history . We document every sale and any warranty history. Even the last line below is a “winner”. The statement is baiting customers to write a bad or frustrating experience. Happy customers won’t take the time to respond, generally. One last note is we sale wine cellar WK units ( 1600, 3000, 4200, 6000, 8000, SS4000, SS8000 and the Extreme series) also WK units for cabinet ( 1000 BTU, 1200 BTU, 1200BTU UL approved , 2300 BTU). Why I know it’s a plant is the open-ended sentence— “Has anyone else had experience with WhisperKool cooling units; either good or bad? Does anybody think that these can be repaired at a reasonable cost?” this man is trying to bring in the Cellar WKs to confuse the reader, these units are the flat best that’s why the T.W.E still offers are product even though it has replicated it in China as “Grand Cru”. Cellars need to be built with insulated doors and vapor barriers ect, ect (on website), Customers and contractors sometimes cut corners or use the WK in the wrong application( vent to outside, cement walls ect, ect). If it fails, we are there to trouble shoot it and correct the unit or replace it. Problem is sometimes we find out the end user has disregarded how to install( manual) the unit or built a substandard cellar. We point this out to them and they blame our unit, they have the same problem over and over again with other cooling systems and eventually come to the same conclusion. Now at that point who goes back and amends their email from the year before, and says they were wrong. If you had this man’s email I would like to respond to him. If I knew his last name? I would be able to determine what he is saying is true and as I suspect a planted email. I have many customers I can refer to you as to my quality and warranty, If you like I will see if I can give you there email address? We have been in business for over 27 years, in 2001, Mr. Schneider brought the company ( formally Nordicorp). He has spent a fortune in product development, to keep us #1. I hope you choose to buy Vinotheque, my personal cell #209-###-####, my home # is 209-###-####. I know of no other Sales Mgr that believes in his product that much he would do that….. I do!

Customer: To the contrary of what you have said, I was routed by Le Cache to Vinotheque because they could not match my stain. Here is an E-mail from Le Cache Customer service:

We would need a wood sample to try to match a cabinet. From the picture, it looks like the lot of cabinets with our lightest Provincial stain would be a good match. We have these cabinets in the mission style (credenza, 1400 and 2400) and the Contemporary credenza. It is likely that the other cabinets would be too dark to match your stain.

If matching your stain is a priority, you may want to consider purchasing a wine cabinet from Vinotheque. They are a competitor, but their products are well regarded and they will be able to match stain colors for you.

Let us know if you have any further questions.

Best regards,

Customer Service
Le Cache Premium Wine Cabinets
531 Mercantile Drive Cotati, CA 94931
(P) 877.532.2243 • (F) 707.794.8005
www.lecache.com

Competitor:That is unusual, never happened in the last four years?

Customer: Can you then build a unit using a CellarPro wine cooling unit?

Competitor: Unfortunately we do not do that, but I do recommend them.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We have never “planted an email” about a competitor, and it’s pathetic that the competitor dismisses the online customer’s problems by blaming Le Cache. We are too busy managing our own businesses to waste time creating and planting phony emails.

On our site, we compare wine cabinets from Le Cache vs. Vinotheque, EuroCave, SubZero, Vinotemp and WCI. These comparisons are meant to highlight the differences between the wine cabinets, such as features, bottle capacity, size and price. We also have a wine cabinet shopping guide to help customers understand how to evaluate different wine cabinet features.

When you call Le Cache and CellarPro, we will give you our honest advice and opinions, even if it means that you purchase a competitor’s product. Guaranteed.

Our 1800QT wine cooling unit received 5 stars and the following review at beveragefactory.com, an authorized dealer for CellarPro cooling units.

Thanks Jim!

We recently installed 150 solar panels on our roof, which will cover 95% of our annual electricity usage. The environmental benefits were too compelling to ignore, and the economics were pretty good too! See a picture of our solar panels.

We recently saw two CellarPro wine cooling units for sale on eBay. The scary part is that both cooling units originally were sold to CellarPro customers and arrived DOA, so they were returned to us for inspection. When we opened the cases of these two wine cooling units, we found significant damage to the internal components of both units, indicating that the units probably had been dropped during transit. So we filed damage claims with the freight carrier, who paid the claims and picked up the units from us. And a couple of weeks later, they showed up for sale on eBay!

If anyone is considering purchasing a CellarPro wine cooling unit on eBay, caveat emptor!

The more we learn about different wine storage cooling units, the more we are struck by the number of manufacturing “no-no’s” from the industry leaders.

- The use of a sponge inside their cooling unit. A YELLOW SPONGE!! Would you like some mold with your wine???

- No drain pan to catch condensation. In other words, water collects at the bottom of the case, causing rust and water damage to parts on the bottom of the unit.

- No coating on the evaporator coils – no wonder these things spring leaks so quickly!

- Sloppy electrical wiring, exposed to moisture, sharp edges and moving parts. Borders on negligence…

- Exposed fan blades – no fingerguards – nuts!

- Cases that are closed with rivets – makes it all but impossible to open the case if/when necessary.

At CellarPro Cooling Systems, we are committed to using premium components and accepted manufacturing practices. All of our products are tested and certified by Intertek to UL safety standards. We offer the best warranty in the industry – with good reason.

Visit us at www.cellarprocoolingsystems.com to learn more.

We’ve received a number of phone calls and emails since we announced that all Le Cache wine cabinets would be shipped with CellarPro cooling systems, instead of Breezaire cooling units, beginning with all orders received after June 15, 2008. Customers who will be receiving CellarPro cooling systems have been excited to receive the upgraded wine refrigeration equipment at no extra charge, whereas customers who have received Breezaire cooling units for purchases made prior to June 15 mostly have been frustrated or concerned that their wine cooling units are inferior and/or they’ll get stiffed on their warranty coverage. Much of this concern has stemmed from a discussion thread on eRobertParker.com which was initiated around the same time as our switch to CellarPro.

Breezaire’s warranty is 1 year on parts and labor, plus 4 more years on parts only. However, Le Cache customers receive warranty coverage direct from Le Cache, so they are insulated from having to work through Breezaire. For Le Cache customers, the warranty term is 5 years on the cooling unit – parts and labor – regardless of whether the cabinet has a Breezaire or a CellarPro cooling unit.

We are committed to continuously improving and innovating our products, and we sincerely regret that not everyone will have the new CellarPro cooling units inside their wine cabinets. To make amends, we will offer to all Le Cache customers the opportunity to purchase a CellarPro cooling system at 25% off the retail price. This offer is available to all Le Cache customers who purchased a wine cabinet after November 1, 2004, and is good through August 31, 2008.

Please call Le Cache at 877.532.2243 to receive this discount when purchasing a CellarPro cooling system. We appreciate your business!

Le Cache is proud to announce that it will be replacing Breezaire cooling units with all-new CellarPro Cooling Systems in all of its premium wine cabinets beginning with orders placed after June 15, 2008. With the introduction of CellarPro cooling systems in all of its wine cabinets, Le Cache now provides the highest degree of protection against the elements for fine wine collections. The new wine chillers from CellarPro offer advanced cooling power, adjustable humidity control and super-quiet operation.

CellarPro was founded by the owners of Le Cache, who were frustrated by the shortcomings and limitations of existing cooling units in the wine storage industry. CellarPro is committed to building wine cooling systems that provide superior performance, advanced features and excellent customer service. Made in the USA, CellarPro cooling systems are available for immediate delivery and backed by an industry-best five-year warranty on parts and labor.

Extensively tested in hot ambient conditions, CellarPro cooling systems consistently maintained cooler temperatures and higher humidity than Breezaire. Additional features from CellarPro, like Energy-Saver and Quick-Chill modes, multiple audible and visual alarms, and interchangeable top and rear exhaust vents come standard on all CellarPro cooling systems. These advanced features typically add hundreds of dollars to the cost of a wine cellar, but Le Cache is upgrading to CellarPro cooling systems at no additional charge – representing even more savings vs. comparable products from other manufacturers.

CellarPro offers a choice of two cooling systems for wine enthusiasts: CellarPro 1800 QT, which provides outstanding performance and super-quiet operation for most indoor residential applications; and CellarPro 1800 XT, which provides extra cooling power for warmer environments and commercial applications. Both cooling systems are designed to provide vibration-free performance while maintaining optimal cellar temperatures and humidity. CellarPro cooling systems can be used to replace Breezaire 1060 and 2200 BTU cooling units installed in Le Cache and also other manufacturers’ wine cellars.

The entire collection of wine cabinets and accessories from Le Cache can be seen at http://www.lecachewinecabinets.com/. The website also offers a wine cabinet shopping guide, wine storage tips, wine cabinet comparisons and more information about the proper storage and aging of fine wine.

Performance data, comparison charts, a shopping guide and product information describing the new cooling systems from CellarPro can be seen at http://www.cellarprocoolingsystems.com/.

In an earlier post, I discussed the benefits of using changes in air temperature rather than changes in liquid temperature to regulate the on/off cycles of Breezaire cooling units. However, there are some circumstances when using a bottle probe DOES make sense.

First, a review. A bottle probe is inserted into a “dummy” bottle of water/alcohol, which is placed in the racks with your wine. Based on changes in temperature of the liquid in the dummy bottle, the Breezaire cooling unit will cycle on and off, thereby maintaining the temperature of the liquid within a predetermined range.

Without a bottle probe, the cooling unit cycles on and off based on changes in the air temperature at the top of the cabinet (which is where the cooling unit is located). Since air changes temperature more quickly than liquid, we prefer to have the cooling unit cycle on when the air warms up (but BEFORE the liquid warms up), rather than waiting for the liquid to warm up.

So when does it make sense to use a bottle probe? If your wine cabinet is placed in an environment that is subject to significant but temporary changes in temperature, such as a garage or a restaurant, you should consider using a bottle probe to avoid having the protection mechanism triggered by too many “false positives.” (The protection mechanism is triggered when the cooling unit registers 75 degrees, and will shut down the cooling unit if the temperature doesn’t fall below 65 degrees within 45 minutes.) By using a bottle probe, the protection mechanism won’t be triggered by temporary changes in air temperature. and therefore the cooling unit won’t turn off after 45 minutes unneccessarily.

It also makes sense to use a bottle probe if your wine cabinet is less than half full. With a wine cabinet that is relatively empty, the cooling unit will run constantly just to keep the empty air in your wine cabinet at your desired temperature. Instead, use a bottle probe to lengthen the cycle times, or build the thermal mass inside the wine cabinet by buying more wine! You also can build the thermal mass inside the wine cabinet by using water bottles, soda cans and beer bottles.

Why should someone decide to upgrade to the Breezaire 2200? What about CellarPro?

Le Cache has switched wine cooling units from Breezaire to CellarPro in all of its premium wine cabinets. CellarPro wine cooling units offer better performance, more features, longer warranty coverage and adjustable humidity control, and they have the exact same dimensions as the Breezaire cooling units that they replace, so they are easily interchangeable.

If you are deciding between the Breezaire 1060 and 2200 BTU cooling units, each one has “pros” and “cons”.

One issue to consider is noise. The Breezaire 2200 wine cooling unit is noticeably louder than the Breezaire 1060 cooling unit, which is very quiet. This is because the fans and the compressor of the Breezaire 2200 are larger than those in the Breezaire 1060.

However, the Breezaire 2200 wine cooling unit is significantly more powerful than the Breezaire 1060 cooling unit; therefore, if your wine cabinet will be exposed to “extreme” conditions, you may want to consider using the Breezaire 2200 instead. “Extreme” conditions include placement of the wine cabinet in uncontrolled environments (such as the garage), and commercial use with frequent door openings.

Remember that both cooling units are designed to lower the temperature inside the wine cabinet. The Breezaire 1060 wine cooling unit can lower the temperature a maximum of 25 degrees below the temperature in the ambient environment, while the Breezaire 2200 wine cooling unit can lower the temperature a maximum of 30 degrees. In other words, if the ambient temperature rises to 90 degrees, the coldest temperature that the Breezaire 1060 will be able to generate inside the cabinet is 65 degrees, and 60 degrees for the Breezaire 2200. For this reason, we don’t recommend placing wine cabinets in locations with long periods of hot temperature conditions.

For more information about wine cooling units, see our shopping guide for wine cooling units.

There are several things that you can do to extend the life of the cooling system inside your wine cellar. With summer heat approaching, follow these suggestions to avoid cooling system failure and risk of damage to your fine wine collection:

- Vacuuming the coils and the grille in front of the air intake (outside the wine cabinet) is about the most important maintenance item that you can do. Use a soft brush attachment and a vacuum cleaner to really clean out the coils. (For safety reasons, PLEASE unplug the cooling unit before cleaning it!)

- Make sure you have adequate space behind the wine cabinet (as recommended by the manufacturer), typically 3-6″ for most manufacturers, so that the hot air exhaust is properly dissipated and the cold air intake isn’t “eating” its own hot air. For new Le Cache wine cabinets, no space is required behind the wine cabinet, but a minimum of 12 inches of clearance is required above the wine cabinet.

- Clean up spills immediately inside the wine cabinet, before the acidity of the wine has a chance to eat away at your coils and create tiny holes that allow the gas in your cooling unit to escape.

- Create a thermal mass inside your wine cabinet by storing more bottles (and therefore reducing the amount of air inside the cabinet) – this will reduce cycling times for your cooling unit and therefore extend its life.

- Make sure your doors are sealing tightly against the wine cabinet by properly leveling the wine cabinet and aligning the door(s), so that cold air isn’t escaping from inside the wine cabinet.

If you must replace your cooling unit, ask if (and at what cost) you can send the old cooling unit to be repaired. You may find it cost-effective to repair the old cooling unit, then keep it as a backup if/when the new cooling unit fails.

Read more about wine cabinet troubleshooting and operating and repair instructions.

Cooling systems with AIR temperature thermostats are better than bottle probes because the cooling systems turn on and off when the air temperature changes, well before the wine temperature changes inside the bottle.

Breezaire cooling units turn on when the AIR temperature inside your wine cellar rises two degrees above your set point, and turn off when the AIR temperature falls two degrees below your set point. For example, if your set point is 55 degrees, the Breezaire cooling unit will turn on when the AIR temperature rises above 57 degrees, and will turn off when the AIR temperature falls below 53 degrees. This fluctuation in AIR temperature results in a nominal LIQUID temperature change of approximately 1/2 degrees.

In contrast, bottle probe thermostats turn the cooling units on and off when the liquid temperature fluctuates, which fluctuation can hurt the aging process for fine wine collections. For more information about proper wine storage and aging, see The Importance of Proper Wine Storage..

The most common reason that cooling units fail is that they aren’t properly maintained. Without proper maintenance, lint and dust will accumulate on the air intake grill and coils of the cooling unit, and create blockages over time. When this happens, the cooling unit will be unable to dissipate the heat generated inside the wine cabinet, and therefore it will be unable to create cold air inside the wine cabinet. To solve this problem, simply use a vacuum brush attachment to clean the grill and coils (the coils look like aluminum fins). In some cases, the grill will need to be removed in order to access the coils. The coils usually are located at the back of the cooling system.

Cooling systems also can fail because the coils lose their refrigerant gas. The environment inside the wine cabinet is extremely acidic. This acidity is created the wines inside the wine bottles mature, and the effect is heightened with “younger” wines. Over time, the acidity eats away at the coating on the coils in the cooling system, and eventually creates pinholes in the coils themselves. When this happens, the freon gas inside the cooling unit begins to dissipate, and pretty soon the cooling unit loses its ability to create cold air. If this happens, the cooling unit will need to be returned to the manufacturer or to an authorized repair center in order to seal the holes in the coils and recharge the gas.

Tip: If you have a lot of young wine or are concerned about the level of acidity inside your wine cabinet, try opening a box of baking soda and place it inside your wine cabinet!

For more information, visit us at www.lecachewinecabinets.com