Wine cellar cooling calculator
Use this tool to help select the proper wine cellar cooling system for your needs. Enter a few details below and the calculator will estimate your cellar volume and suggest suitable Encool wine cellar cooling units, supplied UK wide.
Unit calculator
Enter room dimensions to calculate volume and get unit recommendations, or enter the volume directly if you already know it.
Design checks that protect performance
- Insulation: insulation rated poor increases heat load and reduces performance. Upgrade insulation before selecting a unit, or contact Encool for advice.
- Glazing: glazing must meet minimum spec to protect performance. Use double glazed, argon filled glazing as a minimum (6mm, 12mm, 6mm). If glazing is below spec, contact Encool before selecting a unit.
- Heat sources: avoid heat-producing appliances inside the cellar envelope, such as fridges, freezers, ovens, or AV equipment. Avoid underfloor heating or radiators. These loads compromise temperature and humidity stability.
- Installer and commissioning: installation must be completed by registered trades, including an HVAC technician, electrician, and plumber where required. Commissioning data must be submitted to Encool to validate warranty.
- Vapour barrier: a continuous vapour barrier is critical. Without it, moisture ingress can cause condensation, mould risk, and unstable cellar conditions. Ensure vapour barrier continuity across walls, ceiling, floor junctions, and around penetrations before commissioning.
- First-fix services required: contact Encool for advice.
Why correct sizing matters
When selecting a wine cellar cooling unit, it is important to pick a unit that is correctly sized for your cellar. An installed wine cellar cooling unit that is too small often runs excessively and can struggle to keep the wine cellar at a consistent temperature. Variations in temperature negatively affect the ageing process. Constant cooling can also dry the air and lower the relative humidity of the room to undesirable levels, drying the corks.
An installed wine cellar cooling unit that is too large may cool the cellar too quickly, preventing the room from dehumidifying sufficiently. When cellar humidity is too high (75% RH or higher), labels may peel and mould may grow. Making sure the unit is correctly sized for your cellar is vital for preserving your fine wine investment. While our calculator above is a good guideline, be sure to perform an in-depth heat load calculation and do not size purely on room volume. The heat load calculation should take into account other heat-bearing objects such as windows, type of lighting, number of door openings per day — typically higher in commercial applications — and more.
Picking a wine cellar cooling unit that is correctly sized for your wine cellar will provide optimal storage conditions for your wine collection, while avoiding the common problems you may experience with a unit that is too small or too large.
Please note: this calculator provides estimates only, based on the inputs provided. Actual performance also relies on proper cellar design, construction, and installation practices. Deficiencies in any of these may result in reduced cooling capacity or the inability to achieve desired conditions. Always confirm your final specification with our engineers, and see the spec sheet for exact unit performance data.
Sizing and selection questions
Is room volume enough to choose a unit?
Room volume is a useful starting point, but not enough on its own. A small glazed wine wall may need more care than a larger insulated cellar. Heat gain, insulation, airflow, glazing, door seals and service access all matter.
What information do you need to size and quote a system?
Plans or dimensions, insulation build-up, glazing area, heat loads, target set point, plant location, and duct routes if applicable. Send drawings and we will recommend the correct model and configuration. Alternatively, for a quick calculation use our product selection calculator.
How do I get help choosing a wine cellar cooling system?
Send room dimensions, construction details, glazing details, target temperature, proposed installation location and any drawings or photos. Encool will review the basic requirements and advise on suitable options.
You may also find our Encool calculator useful.
Want an engineer to check your sizing?
Send us your dimensions, construction details and drawings and our refrigeration engineers will confirm the right unit for your project.