Dehumidifier Checks for Wine Cellars

Temperature and humidity in a wine cellar

A wine cellar is usually cooler than the rest of the house, and that changes how a dehumidifier listing reads. The air in a cool space holds less moisture, so the pints per day figure on a listing may be lower than what you would see in a warmer room. The seller's stated capacity is a label, not a promise of how much moisture the unit will remove in your cellar.

The humidity target for a wine cellar is a question for the maker of your wine storage equipment or a wine professional. This article does not give a humidity number. What you can do as a shopper is read the listing for the terms that tell you whether the unit is meant for cooler spaces. For a general overview of how to read dehumidifier listings, see the main buying guide.

Low-temperature operation on a listing

ENERGY STAR explains that if the space being dehumidified has temperatures that typically fall below 65 degrees Fahrenheit, you may want to consider a product that is specified for use at lower temperatures. Frost can form on the condensing coils if the air temperature drops below 65 degrees, and that may affect performance.

On a listing, look for words like "low temperature operation," "anti-frost sensor," or "auto defrost." These terms tell you the maker has designed the unit to handle cooler conditions. If the listing does not state a temperature range, check the maker's page for the operating range. The maker's stated range is the only source for that figure.

A compressor dehumidifier works by cooling a coil to condense moisture. In a cold cellar, that coil can get even colder, and frost can form. A unit with an anti-frost sensor will shut off or cycle to defrost, as ENERGY STAR describes. A desiccant dehumidifier does not use a cold coil, so it may be a better fit for a cool space, but the type alone is not a promise. Read the listing for the stated temperature range. For more on how type affects cool spaces, see the compressor versus desiccant article.

Reading the listing for a wine cellar

When you look at a dehumidifier listing for a wine cellar, read the title and the bullet list for these terms:

A listing that names a low-temperature mode or an anti-frost sensor is a signal that the maker considered cooler spaces. A listing that does not mention temperature is not a problem by itself; the maker's page may state the range. If the maker does not state a range, that is a question for the maker.

The pints per day figure on a listing is measured under a standard test condition. ENERGY STAR notes that the Department of Energy changed the test procedure to use cooler, more realistic conditions comparable to a basement setting. That means a capacity figure on a newer listing may be lower than an older model with the same physical size. Do not compare two listings by converting their figures; read each listing's stated capacity as its own label. For more on capacity labels, see the capacity versus square footage article.

• Low temperature operation or anti-frost sensor
• Operating temperature range (on the maker's page)
• Auto defrost as a feature
• Pints per day as stated by the seller
• Drain options: bucket, hose, or pump

Drainage in a wine cellar

A wine cellar may not have a floor drain. If the listing says the unit comes with a pump, that means the unit can push water up and out through a hose, which can be useful if you need to route the water to a sink or drain that is higher than the unit. If the listing says a drain hose is included, the unit can use gravity to drain, but the hose outlet must be lower than the unit.

Read the drain section of the maker's manual to see how the pump or gravity drain works. The manual will describe the hose connection and any pump lift height. This article cannot tell you a pump lift height or a hose length; those are figures on the maker's page.

If you have no floor drain and no sink nearby, a bucket model with a full-bucket shutoff may be simpler. The listing will say "bucket full" or "auto shutoff." You will empty the bucket as the manual describes. For more on drainage choices, see the drain options article.

Energy Star and wine cellars

The Energy Star mark on a listing means the product is certified by the Energy Star program. ENERGY STAR explains that certified dehumidifiers use more efficient refrigeration coils, compressors, and fans to remove the same amount of moisture as a similarly sized conventional unit but use 20% less energy. That is a program statement, not a promise about your energy bill.

A wine cellar that runs a dehumidifier for long hours may benefit from an Energy Star certified model, but the mark alone does not tell you whether the unit works at cellar temperatures. Read the operating range on the maker's page. You can check a model on the ENERGY STAR product finder to confirm its certification.

This article cannot tell you how much energy a unit uses or what it will cost to run. Those figures are not in the listing. The Energy Star mark is a program label, and the program's page is the source for what it means. For more on Energy Star requirements, see the Energy Star article.

What to pick for your situation

The right dehumidifier for a wine cellar depends on the temperature of the space, the drainage options, and the stated capacity on the listing. Use the table below to match your situation to a guide on this site.

If your cellar is consistently cool, prioritize a listing that states a low-temperature operating range or an anti-frost sensor. If the cellar has no drain, consider a pump model or a bucket model with a full shutoff. If the cellar is part of a larger basement, a higher capacity unit may be listed, but the capacity figure is the seller's label, not a coverage promise.

What to pick for your situation

Questions

What does low-temperature operation mean on a dehumidifier listing?

Low-temperature operation means the maker designed the unit to work in cooler spaces, often with an anti-frost sensor or auto defrost. ENERGY STAR notes that frost can form on coils below 65 degrees Fahrenheit, so a unit specified for lower temperatures is a safer choice for a wine cellar. See the low-temperature operation article for more.

Do I need a pump for a wine cellar dehumidifier?

A pump is useful if you have no floor drain and need to route water up to a sink or drain. If you have a floor drain, a gravity drain hose may be enough. Read the listing for whether a pump is included, and check the maker's manual for the hose connection. See the pump benefits article for more.

Can I use a regular dehumidifier in a wine cellar?

A regular dehumidifier may work if the maker states an operating temperature range that includes your cellar's temperature. If the listing does not state a range, check the maker's page. A unit without low-temperature protection may frost up in a cool cellar. For more on temperature ranges, see the temperature range article.

What humidity level should a wine cellar be?

This article does not give a humidity target. The right level for wine storage is a question for the maker of your wine storage equipment or a wine professional. The dehumidifier listing will not state a target humidity for wine. For general humidity settings, see the humidity settings guide.

How do I know if a dehumidifier is Energy Star certified?

Look for the Energy Star mark on the listing. You can also check the model on the ENERGY STAR product finder. The mark means the product meets the program's efficiency criteria, as described on the ENERGY STAR page. See the Energy Star requirements article for more.