Wine enthusiasts like you can appreciate the satisfaction that comes with owning a refrigerated wine cellar. Not only does it allow for proper storage of wine, but it also adds value and elegance to your home.
But what is the most important component in an effective wine cellar? As someone who has been in the industry for years and understands the behavior of wine, we have to say it’s the cooling system and insulation. Without adequate insulation and cooling, your wine cellar will only exist as a regular room.
One of the common questions we get from our clients is how long does a wine cooling system and insulation last? This is a highly relevant question to ask every time, especially when we’re thinking about budget. And the straight answer to that is, it depends!
Understanding the Relationship of Wines and Temperature
Wine cooling units provided a lot of value to wine collections and collectors. Wines are best preserved in cool temperatures, specifically between 52°F-57°F. Beyond this range, the quality of your wine will start to deviate from the what it should normally be, and you’ll only be able to notice this once you pour it into a glass and sense a different flavor, texture, or aroma — something that’s unfortunately irreversible.
The normal rate of fermentation varies per type of wine. If unopened and stored in the right temperature, some fine wines can last about 20 years or more. However, once they’re exposed to warm temperatures or extremely cold temperatures for long periods of time, the different acids giving the wine their signature quality wouldn’t be able to develop fully.
We came across a client once who did some major renovations with his wine cellar and added a secondary cooling unit. As we’ve learned, although he had a powerful wine cellar cooling unit, he missed to follow the periodic maintenance and cleaning schedules that his cooling unit required. He was out of town for months and ignored the need to have his cooling system cleaned. When he returned, he unfortunately came home to a warm wine cellar with a broken cooling unit and an expensive wine collection that started to taste bad — a nightmare no wine collector should experience!
Considering that wines rarely have an exact expiration date, we always recommend that you make it a routine to check and have your cooling system maintained by a specialist, and not wait until your wine tastes different.
The Backbone of Refrigerated Wine Cellars: A Well-Maintained Wine Cooling Unit
To ensure your wine cellar cooling units lasts a long time (or at least until their lifespan), these are the things you need to check periodically:
- Condenser and Evaporator Coils (vacuum at least 1x a year)
- Filter (clean or replace at least every 6 – 12 months)
- Drain Line (flush out dirt, algae, and other materials that may be obstructing it)
- Sounds or Vibrations (does it sound too loud like an airplane engine?)
- Temperature (does it feel as cool as what it shows on the control panel?)
- Gaskets and Fasteners (is there anything loose?)
- Electricals (is your unit switching on and off more than 8x/hour?)
Cleaning window-type cooling units or self-contained cooling units may be easier than split-system cooling units. Filters in some ACs can be conveniently accessed, cleaned and installed on your own. But when it comes to checking parts that require you to open the entire machinery, it would be best to contact a wine cellar HVAC specialist or your wine cooling system manufacturer.
We use tools to calibrate control panels, check electrical faults, and measure refrigerants, to ensure your cooling unit is in tiptop condition. By committing to regular maintenance, you can be able to save more from emergency repair expenses in the future.
Build a Wine Cellar that Truly Preserves Your Wines with Custom Wine Cellars San Francisco!
The Custom Wine Cellars San Francisco team is a company of highly skilled and experienced professionals dedicated to creating exceptional refrigerated wine cellars. Our team of designers, builders, and craftsmen are passionate about creating beautiful and functional wine cellars that meet the unique needs and style preferences of each client.
Our attention to detail and commitment to quality is evident in every aspect of our work, from the carefully selected materials to the expert craftsmanship that goes into every piece of this wine cellar. We work closely with clients to ensure that every aspect of the wine cellar design meets their exact specifications and exceeds their expectations.
If you’re in the market for a custom modern refrigerated wine cellar in Glen Park and other areas around San Francisco, look no further than the team at Custom Wine Cellars San Francisco. We have a passion for designing and building climate-controlled wine storage units, and we offer complete services from designing through to maintenance and repairs of existing wine cellars.
Don’t wait to get started on your dream wine cellar – contact the Custom Wine Cellars San Francisco team today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards creating the wine cellar of your dreams!
