Cellar Cooling Unit

Breezaire & Whisperkool are two units that have been around a long time. You might consider looking in the advertising section (the last few pages of the Wine Spectator) for wine coolers.

However, I really think you should check with a local Commercial Refrigeration Company, and ask for their suggestions. Although you can get overnight service with Breezaire & Whisperkool, having a local service company is a real plus. Also, I think too much is made over having a cooler specifically for wine. It's refrigerated air; and I think humidity is not as necessary as you are made to believe. After all, humidity has no effect on glass, it's bad for labels, and as long as your bottles are horizontal, one end of the cork is always wet, making cork shrinkage a non issue! Good luck!

I've had good luck with Breezaire. My first unit lasted 13 years. I repaced it last year. I don't remember the model # but it was around $800. My cellar is about half your cubic feet, so you would probably need the next higher model.

Thanks

If you can find a local HVAC repair person, they may be able to fix the leak and top up your freon. I've had mine repaired for a fraction of the cost of a replacement unit and it's still going strong.

quote:

Originally posted by DoktaP:
If you can find a local HVAC repair person, they may be able to fix the leak and top up your freon. I've had mine repaired for a fraction of the cost of a replacement unit and it's still going strong.

+1
Definitely worth getting an estimate.

I would personally avoid Breezeaire like the plauge. I have a unit that is less than one year old. The controller failed and Breezeaire refused to honor the warranty. Despite my proof of purchase within the last year, they told me the serial number was from a 2005 model and they would not honor the warranty (the man knew it immediately, he didn't even have to look it up in the system.....) They told me to deal with the retailer and that they would not honor the warranty. The retailer told me it was a warranty issue with breezeaire and that they do not get involved and that they did not purchase the unit in 2005, it was a recent delivery to them.

I eventually paid an HVAC guy to add a new thermostat and controller. works now - but I will never buy breezeaire again.