Environmental discussions of late have focused a lot of time on the “global warming” dilemma that we all face.  Of course, local and worldwide politics seems to be taking an ever-increasing role in defining and resolving the impact of global warming on our future.  I do not believe this issue will be resolved in the political arena any time soon, but I do believe we all can do our part in contributing to a preferred result.  My mother always told me “little things always seem to add up to big things”.  One little thing we can do with regard to wine and beverage cooling is the use of thermoelectric technology.

In the 1800’s, a French Scientist named Peltier discovered that when electric current goes through two different metals, (semi-conductors), a temperature difference occurs.  The semi-conductors, working like heat pumps, drive heat from one surface to another.  By adding a circulating fan to the “heat pump” process discovered by Peltier, you could design and build a “thermoelectric wine cooler”.

Thermoelectric cooling technology does not use chlorofluorocarbons like CFCs and HCFCs.  These chemicals are known to be partly responsible for the thinning in the stratosphere of the protective ozone layer.  There are laws now that control the use of these chemicals, but leaks in a cooling system using these chemicals could be a problem.  Additionally, these eco-friendly wine coolers generally are more energy efficient than compressor designed models.

Another advantage of using this cooling technology is these wine refrigerators operate with no noise and are vibration free.  If you have an older refrigerator, you can hear the distinctive hum of a compressor based cooling system.  When compressors kick on and off when needed, there is a vibration naturally attached to that process.  However, some compressor wine cooler models do come with a “damping system” that virtually eliminates the vibration issue.

When storing wines for more than 2 years with the intent of aging them properly, keeping vibration of the wine sediments to a minimum can be critical to success.  For short-term storage (less than 2 years), there is little noticeable difference between compressor and thermoelectric cooling systems.  A good case can be made that a dual zone thermoelectric wine cooler for simultaneously aging red and white wines would be an excellent choice for aging your wine collection.

Thermoelectric wine coolers are not without a major disadvantage that you must be aware of that affects their cooling efficiency.  When the ambient temperature of the room where your wine cooler will be operated exceeds approximately 77 degrees F., the cooling effectiveness of a thermoelectric wine cooler declines.  Additionally, the difference between the ambient room temperature and the “set” cooling temperature should not be higher than about 13 degrees F.  Some people like their homes cool and some like them warmer, but it is a consideration if you opt for a thermoelectric wine refrigerator.  Generally they will operate more efficiently in a home when ambient temperatures are relatively stable and on the cool side of the spectrum.

In the right situation, going eco-friendly with your wine cooler purchase is a good choice for the environment.  At a minimum, this one small choice, when added to other people’s choices, will be a step in the right direction.

For more information on thermoelectric product choices go to:  http://idealwinecoolers.com/page/thermoelectric_wine_coolers.html

Author: Ronald Senn, VP Ideal Wine Coolers, Dec. 2009

Ideal Wine Coolers’ Haier 42 Bottle Wine Cooler is for freestanding applications and includes a locking glass door.  This handsome wine cellar, with soft lighting and silver metal trim, allows you to display your finest wines in style.  The flat glass door has blue-gray tint with a heavy-duty towel bar style brushed metal handle.  This wine cooler is less than 20 inches wide making it slim enough to fit anywhere in your home.  A dual-function LED display monitors your temperature selection and the internal wine cooler temperature at the same time.  Special features include soft interior light, black matte worktop, door lock, and leveling legs. The black interior features sturdy wire metal shelving that will tenderly cradle your best vintages.  This wine cooler would be a classy addition to your home decor.  This wine cooler is one of our better selections in our Locking Wine Cooler category.

Features:

  *Flat Glass Door with Blue-Gray Tint and Graphite Trim
  *Heavy-duty Brushed Medal Handle
  *Adjustable Electronic Thermostat
  *Automatic setting for Red and White Wines
  *6 Flat Chrome Storage Racks and 2 half-depth Flat Racks
  *Dual-function LED Read-out
  *Lock and key
  *Graphite Matte Work Top
  *Soft Interior Lighting
  *Leveling Legs
  *Dimensions W 19 15/16″, D 21 3/4″, H 38 17/32″

Weight: 110.5 Lbs.

Warranty:  12 months parts and labor:  5 years on sealed system

For current price and shipping information go to: http://idealwinecoolers.com/product/HVF042BBG

Haier 42 Bottle Wine Cooler

This great product will add a touch of class to your home.  Let’s go SHOPPING now.

Author: Ronald Senn, VP Ideal Wine Coolers, 10/23/09

Wine is becoming an ever-increasing favorite of many people. With over 1000 different wine varieties, the choices one has seem nearly infinite. As wine’s popularity with us increases, the requirements for good wine storage need consideration. Wine is a perishable food that when improperly stored will lose value and flavor and eventually could end up undrinkable.

How does one get the right wine storage appliance to meet their needs? If you are the person that brings home the occasional bottle of wine for that special dinner or party, it is okay to store the wine on its side in the refrigerator until you use it. However, if you are thinking about having several bottles of wine on hand for future use and aging them to perfection, your refrigerator is a poor choice for storing your wine. Several factors need your consideration to find the wine cooler that fits your needs.

FIRST, you need to decide what your wine storage objective is. How much wine do you want to store? What kinds of wine do you want to have on hand? How long do you plan to store it? Wine coolers are available that can store from a few bottles to hundreds of bottles. If you plan to store a mix of red and white wines, a dual-zone wine cooler would be a good choice; different wines should be stored at their optimum temperature. The best place to store your wine undisturbed until it reaches it best age is a wine cooler.

SECOND, especially in today’s world, the cost of the wine cooler is an important factor. Wine coolers range in price from under $100 to several thousand dollars. Custom built wine cabinets can easily cost over $10,000. Dual-zone wine coolers will cost more than single-zone coolers and front-venting wine coolers for under-counter applications will cost more than freestanding ones. Some beverage centers can store wine as well as a good mix of canned beverages.

THIRD, the space you have available for a wine cooler is another important consideration. If you live in a small apartment or condominium, several wine coolers are available that can fit on top of your kitchen counter. Freestanding wine coolers come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and can be installed anywhere you have a niche to fill. Built-in wine coolers, designed to fit under your countertop, come in the same dimensions as standard kitchen cabinets.

FOURTH, consider your home’s decor when selecting a wine cooler. Wine coolers on the market today come in all different styles and colors. From basic white and black to models with gleaming chrome or stainless steel finishes, there are many choices that will make your wine cooler accent your décor instead of detract from it.

I truly believe that an investment in a wine cooler that fits your needs is an investment in improving your enjoyment of wine. You will need to evaluate and balance all the decision criteria. Consider the factors that are appropriate for you and then invest in a cooler that will keep your favorite wine cool and ready for you to serve.

For more information see: http://www.idealwinecoolers.com/page/home/index.html

Author: Ronald Senn, VP Ideal Wine Coolers, September 2009