One aspect that is frequently disregarded when buying a new major equipment for the house is the increase in your electricity bill.
A refrigerator that has been specially created to store wine is known as a wine refrigerator. It may keep the temperature constant and give you a distinct area to store your collection. The additional cost on your electricity bill associated with wine refrigerators mostly relies on the size of the device, how it is built, and whether it uses a compressor or thermoelectric cooling system.
Are Wine Refrigerators Expensive to Run?
The electricity consumption of a wine refrigerator will be less than that of a typical kitchen refrigerator. A large wine refrigerator with a capacity of 300 bottles will consume more electricity than a small wine refrigerator with a capacity of six bottles. Let's say you use your wine refrigerator in a busy area where people will be opening and closing it frequently throughout the day. In that situation, the motor of the wine refrigerator will have to run more frequently to maintain the temperature. The outside temperature is another element. A wine refrigerator's motor will have to work harder to maintain a cool temperature if you use it in a warm environment.
Thermoelectric vs. Compressor Systems
Either compressor technology or thermoelectric technology is used to create wine refrigerators. The two are very different from one another, and each offers advantages.
Compressor Wine Fridge
An ordinary household refrigerator and a compressor wine cooler are comparable. To maintain a cold temperature inside the device, air is compressed and then released. The "vapor compression cycle" is the name of the procedure. The refrigeration chambers in the compressor wine cooler electronically compress refrigerant molecules. The refrigeration chambers in the compressor wine cooler are where refrigerant molecules are electronically compressed using a compressor. The particles' temperature rises as a result. After that, the particles are abruptly expelled, which causes the air's temperature to drop. A little fan is used to circulate this chilly air throughout the cooler's interior. Back of the appliance is where heat is released.
A To ensure that the unit operates effectively, it is crucial to adhere to all clearance requirements. The compressor turns back on and starts cooling as soon as the internal temperature starts to rise. The compressor will shut off once the target temperature has been attained to protect the contents of the refrigerator from freezing. Regardless of the temperature outside, the compressor wine refrigerator can maintain a wide variety of temperatures thanks to its internal mechanism. With the use of compressor technology, the temperature is swiftly maintained by turning on and off as necessary.
Thermoelectric Wine Fridge
In order to produce a temperature difference between the interior of the cooler and the surrounding air, thermoelectric wine refrigerators use an electric current. The technique makes use of an electrolyzed metal rod. To remove heat from the wine cooler's inside, the heated end is facing the outside. The inside is facing the colder end. A tiny fan moves the chilly air throughout the interior, much as the compressor wine cooler. There are no motors, compressors, or alternating mechanisms that produce loud noises or vibrations. Although these devices are typically quiet, the fan may occasionally make a very tiny noise. The temperature difference prevents freezing from taking place.The equipment will normally automatically maintain a temperature inside the cooler that is ten to twelve degrees colder than the surrounding air. The Peltier Effect served as inspiration for the highly effective design. Thermoelectric cooling systems are depending on the temperature of the surrounding environment and have a modest cooling efficiency. The cooler should be positioned in a cool area to maximize its thermoelectric precise cooling ability. The main purpose of thermoelectric wine coolers is as a freestanding appliance, as well. This indicates that they need adequate clearance on all sides of the appliance for optimum operation.
Thermoelectric technology will be phased out because it requires more energy to bring the cooler's temperature down.
How Does Installation Affect the Cost of Running a Wine Fridge?
Installation is one of the most important aspects that will affect how effectively your wine refrigerator operates. Ignoring your wine fridge's installation requirements may result in overheating, more frequent engine starts, and a reduction in the lifespan of your wine fridge. The cooler must have 10 inches of clearance to the right and left, 6 inches of clearance at the rear, and limitless clearance on top for wine coolers intended for freestanding installation.They shouldn't be mounted inside of a cabinet, underneath a table, or on top of a countertop. For built-in or recessed installation, wine refrigerators with front exhaust have clearance requirements of 14 inch to the right, left, and top, and 1 to 2 inches to the cooler's back. To allow the wine refrigerator to vent properly, the front should be clear. Follow the installation instructions in the owner's manual for both kinds of wine coolers very closely.
Is a Wine Fridge Worth It?
In particular, if you have enough wine bottles in your collection to make it worthwhile, a wine refrigerator is worth the extra money on your electricity bill. Wine must be aged at a constant, cool temperature of 55°F. In order for the liquid within to preserve the cork's seal, wine also prefers a dark atmosphere where it can lie on its side. Wine needs a quiet, minimally vibration-free place to rest. All of these essential ingredients may be found in a wine refrigerator, which is crucial for wine aging.
