The AC evaporator coil in your wine cellar’s cooling system converts liquid refrigerant into gas to dehumidify and cool the air that circulates in the area. In the process, it absorbs heat, often with an annoying sound depending on the type of cooling system that you have in your wine room.
Installing an appropriate cooling system is very important whether you are a private or commercial wine cellar owner. Cooling systems help keep your wine collection at its finest. The absence of efficient cooling equipment may jeopardize your business, given that the right temperature affects the quality of your wines. It would also be pointless to have a huge collection of wines at home if they are not properly maintained.
You will find a wide range of brands and variations on the market but there are three major types that you can choose from self-contained, split system, and ducted system. Each of these types comes in either water-cooled or air-cooled variations.
From these options, you will have to pick one that best addresses your needs and offers benefits, including cost-effectiveness, efficiency, quietness, and regulatory compliance.
Types of Wine-Cooling Systems – An Overview
Commercial and private wine cellar owners have different requirements when it comes to wine cooling systems. However, both user types want their equipment packed with useful features. A lot of brands today compete for their clients’ favor, so they continue to upgrade their motors.
Self-contained cooling system for private wine cellars
Also known as a through-the-wall cooling unit, the self-contained cooling system is ideal for small to medium–sized wine rooms. Its size is rather modest, so it does not take up much space. Because it is self-contained, it does not involve refrigeration lines or ductwork. This type of cooling unit also has the evaporator and condenser together in one container.
Split system with a wine cellar-friendly AC evaporator coil
With the ductless split system, the condenser and fan coils are separate. They are designed to run in poorly ventilated wine cellars. Connected by a hose, the evaporator is left inside the wine room while the fan, coil, and compressor are located outside. This provides the unit with the right amount of ventilation. It also allows the unit to run quietly since the fan motors are outside.
Ducted system for equipment-free wine rooms
For those who do not want the cooling equipment inside the wine room, the ducted system is the perfect option. Using a duct, the unit can provide quality air conditioning to the wine cellar even if the unit is in another room. Because the unit is far from the wine room, you don’t have to worry about the noisy fan motors. This is what makes the ducted system even more desirable for wine cellar owners.
The Impacts of Wine Refrigeration Systems without EC motor and Quieter AC Evaporator Coils in a Wine Cellar
Whether you are a homeowner or wine store operator, choosing the ideal cooling unit is an essential part of your wine cellar. The beauty of your wine room and the vastness of your wine collection will be meaningless without a high-quality cooling system to maintain your wines’ taste.
When lifestyle and profits are affected, it is hard to ignore the disadvantages of installing a wine cooling system that does not conform to your cellar’s requirements.
Noise hazard
The peaceful performance of a wine cellar cooling system is also an important feature for owners. The noisy motors running in the background can ruin the wine room’s elegant setting. For businesses, this can be a turn-off to customers who want to chill out and enjoy a quiet moment. At home where every member of the household wants relaxation, the sound of a running fan motor can be stressful.
High Utility cost and motor efficiency
Every cooling unit with a high-performing condenser and AC evaporator coils will keep your wine cellar healthy. But depending on its mechanism, it may come with a price. Some units boast of top-tier motors but may yield high utility costs. This is true for outdated wine cellar cooling unit models.
When choosing a wine cellar cooling system, one thing to look out for is whether it passes industry standards. Back in 2008, the California Energy Commission started requiring all new cooling units in walk-in freezers to have an EC motor.
EC motor vs PSC
Electronically commutated motors (ECM) combine electronic controls with brushless d/c (direct current) motors to maintain the unit’s efficiency at various operating speeds. Wine cooling systems equipped with EC motors are more energy efficient than the traditional shaded pole motors used in old models of HVAC units.
Conventional cooling systems use PSC (permanent split capacitor) motors and A/C (alternating current) shaded poles. These types of refrigeration motors produce an amount of airflow that cannot be controlled because of their fixed design.
The EC motor technology, on the other hand, can be programmed, and fan speed can be adjusted. The latest models of wine cooling systems have sensors that detect air supply. Through this, the EC motor determines when to run at full speed or low speed. For example, when the sensor detects no cooling, it sends a signal to the AC evaporator coil to lower speed and regulate the airflow in the wine cellar.
Imagine how much money you will have to pay using a traditional cooling unit where the evaporator fan operates non-stop. With an ECM-equipped unit, you can expect at least 80% energy savings.
EC Efficiency Regulations for wine cellars
In this sustainability-minded generation, various sects are finding ways to encourage people to improve their carbon footprints. The government for one constantly updates its regulations to further advance environmental sustainability. The efforts cover the biggest plants down to the smallest equipment, including portable air refrigeration systems.
The EC motor is a recent development adopted by wine cooling units in response to the Energy Efficiency regulations effective in various US states.
- In March of 2017, under the Energy Efficiency regulation, the Department of Energy issued a mandate for all manufacturers to produce cooling equipment with a significant reduction in power consumption. In response to this, some manufacturers came out with their own EC-powered air conditioning systems.
- The latest 1605.1 State Standards for Non-Federally-Regulated Appliances requires evaporator fan motors of under one horsepower to use electronically commutated motors (brushless direct current motors) or 3-phase motors. Condenser fan motors can use either EC-motors, PSC, or 3-phase motors.
- The EC motor-powered units are also compliant with California Title 20 requirements, which will take effect in February of 2020. This directs manufacturers to improve their systems’ fan motor and compressor. New portable cooling equipment is required to have increased heat exchangers and decreased power consumption. This aims to help people save huge amounts of money and protect the environment as well.
The electronic commutated motor has been around for about a decade, but its benefits have not been fully realized until recently. And the following years will see huge improvements in cooling equipment and other appliances to help save you more money and save our natural resources.
Are You Ready to Update Your Wine Cellar Cooling System? Our Specialists Can Help You Choose!
Stay ahead of the curve and upgrade your wine cooling system to an EC motor-equipped unit with a well-regulated condenser coil and AC evaporator coil. Most new wine cooling units are equipped with EC motors, but it is worth double-checking whether your prospect has one. Confirm that you are getting a regulation-compliant cooling unit to ensure its high quality.
Wine Cellar Refrigeration Systems offers a wide variety of wine refrigeration options, from which you can choose the ideal unit for your wine cellar, commercial or private. If you are on the fence regarding what’s best, we will happily recommend a cooling system that will work according to your wine room’s capacity. We will help you select efficient and cost-effective equipment like we always do for our customers.
Make an appointment today and talk to one of our experts to know more about our products!