Why doesn't my wine cellar stay at the desired temperature?

Temperature fluctuations: why doesn't my wine cellar stay at the desired temperature?

Does your wine cellar display a different temperature than the one you've programmed? Does it seem to oscillate or not stabilize the cold as expected? A number of factors can explain these temperature discrepancies. Here's an overview of the main causes and the best practices to adopt before calling for technical service.

1. Not enough bottles in the cellar

An empty or partially-filled wine cellar will find it harder to maintain a constant temperature. Wine acts as a natural thermal regulator: the fuller the cellar, the more stable it remains.

Why should this be?

• If the cellar contains too few bottles, the cold produced is not absorbed efficiently.

• The compressor runs unnecessarily, generating temperature variations and higher energy consumption.

Tip: try to fill your cellar to at least 60-70% of its capacity, even with dummy bottles or water if necessary.

2. Respecting the minimum temperature difference in double-zone wine cellars

For double-zone wine cellars, a minimum temperature difference of 4°C between the two zones is required for proper operation. If this gap is not respected, the system may have difficulty stabilizing one or both zones.

Example: if the upper zone is set at 10°C, the lower zone should not be above 13-14°C.

Check your settings, and adjust one of the zones to respect this minimum gap.

3. Lack of ventilation around the freestanding wine cellar

Free-standing wine cellars need sufficient ventilation space all around to operate optimally. Without air circulation, the compressor heats up and the cellar loses efficiency.

Recommendations:

• Leave at least 10 cm of free space at the back, sides and top.

• Never build a free-standing wine cellar into a cabinet.

• Do not place anything on top of the cellar, especially electrical appliances or heavy objects, which would prevent heat dissipation.

4. Unsuitable ambient temperature

Check that your wine cellar is installed in a room that complies with its climate class. If the ambient temperature is too low or too high in relation to its operating range, the cellar may have difficulty maintaining cold.

5. What if everything seems to be in order?

If you have :

• sufficiently filled your cellar,

• respected the temperature difference between zones (in the case of a dual-zone model),

• left adequate ventilation space,

• avoided placing any objects on top,

• and that your cellar is installed in a suitable room...

...but the temperature is still not stable, then a technical malfunction may be to blame.

In this case, contact your dealer's technical service department. Make sure you have the model, serial number and proof of purchase of your wine cellar to help us process your request.

Conclusion

Temperature fluctuations in a wine cellar are not always synonymous with a breakdown. In the vast majority of cases, they can be corrected by proper installation and use. A well-stocked, well-ventilated wine cellar with the correct temperature settings for each zone will ensure optimum performance and ideal preservation of your bottles.