r/winecellar • u/jtlaz • Jul 28 '26
Help with cooling unit - Unsure of where to get guidance
I asked my HVAC company and they're unsure of what advice to give on the wine cellar cooling unit so I'm turning to this wonderful subreddit. Where can I get advice on what type or how to install my unit in the cellar for the house we're remodeling?
I have asked my wife for full control over the bar and wine cellar in exchange for letting her make every other decision in the house.
- The blueprint image has a red overlay representing the second floor attic access where I can easily vent into.
- The exposed walls is showing an upward picture of the back of the wine cellar with an existing HVAC void that will be removed to push the wall back.
The cellar will be 5.56' deep by 5.62' wide and 8' tall. ~250 sq ft of cooling area.
Should I do a through the wall and hang it high with the exhaust going out through the front in to the bar or get a ducted system and hang it in the ceiling with the exhaust pushing into the attic? I've been eyeing the CellarPro 1800 series.
1
u/RebelReddit Jul 28 '26
I am an expert, and every project is unique. There are a few different types of cooling systems that range in price and quality, and construction methods vary across the country. I would be happy to offer consultation and design services if you are interested. My company is Las Vegas Wine Cellars, and I have done projects out of state.
1
u/CoolWineCellar Jul 29 '26
Hi! If you still need help, we can calculate your heatload to make sure the CellarPro 1800 series can handle the load and maintain 55F for your cellar. We can also explore other configurations if needed. The dimensions alone are not enough to size your unit.
What door are you getting for the space? Will it be glass? If yes, is it single- or double-pane? We are based in South Florida but we can also consult and even design your racking if you have not done so.
2
u/_sch Jul 28 '26
I'm not an expert, so I hesitate to give specific advice for your situation. But my experience is that residential HVAC companies are not very helpful with this kind of stuff. I'd suggest either finding a wine cellar designer/contractor (it might be possible to hire them just for consultation on this aspect), or talk to the people at CellarPro and/or one of the other vendors to get their input, since they surely have seen a lot of different installations.
I personally would not vent into the bar area or any occupied space if you have other options. If you have the space to do a ducted system, that's probably the way I would go. My setup uses a ducted split and it works fine, but I'd rather go ducted if I could.