Common Wine-Mate Questions

Self-Contained Systems

  • What is the difference between CD and HTD?

    CD has cold air supply on the bottom only, but HTD has air supply on the bottom and side. HTD has a top exhaust fan option.

  • Can I use an HTD for a wine room?

    HTD is designed for wine cabinets and not recommended for wine rooms.

  • Are the cooling units ductable?

    Yes, it depends on the models, 4510~8510HZD, DS, SSH, SSA.

    WM-4510~8510HZD can be used as regular self-contained cooling systems or fully ducted cooling systems with an optional kit.
    WM-4500~12000DS are packed fully ducted cooling systems.

  • Can the self-contained units exhaust directly outside?

    Yes, it depends on the models and ambient temperatures.

  • What are the basic requirements of using a self-contained cooling unit inside a glass wine cellar?

    A self-contained cooling unit is one of our options we have available for glass wine cellar installation. There are 2 basic requirements to use a self-contained cooling unit. The unit must intake fresh air from the outside of the cellar and exhaust hot air to the outside of the cellar. If one of these 2 requirements can’t be met, a split or ducted cooling system must be used.

    HZD series is a wall unit, which can be mounted on or through a wall. HTD, CD, SLIM or LOW PROFILE series is a ceiling unit, which can be mounted on a ceiling.

    A WM-1500~2500LOWP self-contained low-profile cooling unit (coming soon) can be mounted on the ceiling for hidden installation.

  • What options do I have if I only have internal walls?

    You can use split cooling systems.

  • What are the conditions for the cooling units to operate properly?

    It must have proper vent and ambient temperatures.

  • Can a self-contained unit be installed in a garage/basement?

    Yes, it depends on the models and ambient temperatures.

Evaporator Coil Coating, Temperature Control, Refrigerant, and Line Set

  • What type of coating is applied on the evaporator coils of Wine-Mate cooling systems?

    Our evaporator coil has a special Electrofin E-coating. This coating is water-repellent and self-cleaning and protects the coil. It is also anti-microbial which actively kills harmful bio-film growth. Be careful with high VOC coating which is NON FDA approved coating, but ours is FDA approved.

  • What type of coating is applied on the evaporator coils of Wine-Mate self-contained cooling systems?

    Our Coil Coating is a modified acrylic with waterborne binders with high elongation properties. (Water base has less environmental impact). Aluminum pigmentation has been added to increase heat transfer, chemical resistance and UV blocking properties. (Use less mil thickness for excellent results). Corrosion resistance has over 10 hours of testing with tests for expansion and contraction. Heat/Cold Resistance of approx. 240 to -40°F.

    Certificate of Conformity with the Test Requirements of USA FDA Code of Federal Regulations (CFR21) Section 175.300 (Resinous and Polymeric Coatings).  Coil coating can be safely applied to heat exchange coils that may be directly or indirectly in contact with food.

  • What is the best advantage of using WiFi temperature controller?

    Our WiFi wine cellar monitor and control system is the best of all controllers. You can monitor and control the cellar climate anywhere through the internet. You can set up email or test notifications of low & high temperature and low & high humidity at your fingertips.

  • Can the WiFi temperature controllers be used on Wine-Mate cooling systems?

    WiFi is designed for Cellartec cooling systems. The differences between Cellartec and Winemate are temperature controllers and controller voltage (low and high voltages). WiFi can't be directly used on Winemate units unless the factory makes modifications.

  • How can I order a Wifi on Wine-Mate?

    You must order a WiFI controller when you purchase a Wine-Mate cooling unit.

  • Are the Wine-Mate cooling systems regulated?

    If cooling systems are used in a commercial walk-in wine room, it is regulated by the department of energy.

  • What is the largest BTU of Wine-Mate cooling unit?

    It is our 12000 BTU/h unit. Our units use R134a refrigerant. We do not use R404a as it has 3 times the global warming impact higher than R134a. R404a is for commercial display refrigerator or freezer, but R134a is for water cooler or wine cooling.

  • Can the line set exceed 75 feet?

    If your line set exceeds 75ft, you will need to add both a suction accumulator and an inverted U trap in order to prevent liquid from flooding back. Your line set diameters will also have to change. Call us for details.

Wine-Mate Air Filters

  • Can the models of 2500 and below have an extra air filter?

    Models of 2500 CD/HTD/HZD and below are not recommended to use an extra air filter since it may restrict air flow. Instead, cabinet grill is used as a deterrent and protection from dust. However, the filter and frame can be attached to the wall grill and the filter will only cover the air intake portion of the grill.

  • Which self-contained units can use an additional filter?

    Models of 3500 and above can have an air filter. Filter and filter frame can be installed directly on the unit for a clean look. The filter is washable and reusable.

  • Is a filter frame needed to install a filter?

    The filter frame is needed to install the filter so it would be a “filter kit” where we include both parts.

  • Can air filters be used in the split and ducted systems?

    No, and we don’t provide these filters.

Options for Cooling Systems

  • Can you offer optional power cord placement?

    Yes. We can offer the rear power cord as optional and the power receptacle as standard.

  • Is there a humidifier for dry locations?

    Yes. We can offer a standalone humidifier for extreme dry locations where humidity is below 10% RH.

  • Are there optional exhausts and hoods available for the cooling units?

    Wine-Mate cooling units have only rear or top exhaust. But our wine cabinets can be configured as front, rear or side vent. The front vent cabinet has both exhaust and intake located on the front and we normally call it Wood Louvered Front Vent. Smaller front vent we call it Mini Grill Front Vent, in which a top exhaust cooling unit deflects air forward so that only a low profile front grille is required.

  • What models can we have the optional hoods?

    Wine-Mate 4510~8510HZD have the optional hoods for installing intake and exhaust ducts, in which thermal insulations and acoustic isolations are used. We put EPS inside the hoods for thermal insulations and noise isolations. We use acoustic materials in our ducted cooling systems.

Features of Wine-Mate Models

  • What are the differences between self-contained, split systems and ducted systems?

    A self-contained unit includes compressor, condenser, evaporator, refrigerant control device and fans inside a box, which is mounted through the wine cellar wall and plugged to run. No certified technician is required to install the unit. A split unit consists of a compressor unit located outside of a wine cellar and a separate evaporator unit located inside the wine cellar, which is connected through a liquid copper tube and a suction tube. A certified technician is required to install the unit. A ducted unit can be a split or packaged unit, the evaporator unit is ducted to a wine cellar.

  • Which type of Wine-Mate cooling systems have the EC fan motors?

    The split cooling systems use EC fan motors that meet federal regulation of 10 CFR 431.306 and are required by the federal law.

  • Does Wine-Mate have these features, adjustable humidity, energy saving mode, quick chill mode and condensate kit?

    Adjustable humidity, energy saving mode, and quick chill mode are the functions of our temperature controller, as condensate kit can be done using a condensate pump.

  • What are the special features of the through-wall Wine-Mates?

    A through-wall cooling unit can be conveniently installed on a wine cellar through the wall. The wall can separate the cold side and hot side of the cooling unit.

  • What are the special features of the Slim-Line unit?

    The self-contained cooling unit features only 8” deep slim profile to fit small and medium wine cabinets. Innovatively designed cold air curtain keeps even temperatures everywhere in the cabinet.

  • What is the difference between Slim-Line and Low-Profile?

    Slim-Line is mounted on the wall and thin in depth, while Low-Profile is mounted on the ceiling and short in height.