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Topics from the Power Line:
Insulation key to keeping wine cellar temperature consistent
Editor's note: The Energy Services Bulletin features
real answers to real questions posed to our staff at the Energy
Services Power Line. We hope you find it useful.
Question
We live in Sacramento, Calif., and would like to design an energy-efficient,
residential-scale wine cellar that will maintain the required
55-degree F temperature. Should we build it above or below ground?
Also, it was suggested that we use R-50 insulated concrete forms.
Is this feasible?
Answer
Research data from the US Geological Survey, the Army Corps
of Engineers and the National Water Well Association show that
the average ground temperature below two feet in the Sacramento
area ranges from 60 degrees F to 64 degrees F.
Assuming this data, here are suggestions for
keeping the wine cellar at 55 degrees F.
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Construct the wine cellar completely
underground with no outside windows. If the room is going
to be occupied or used as a tasting room, local building codes
may require a window. If so, specify a Class 20 window (U-0.20;
vinyl or fiberglass framing, triple glazing, and low e glass).
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Insulate the cellar room walls
adjacent to the rest of the building at the level of insulation
you would normally install in a residential building, following
the state energy code. Walls should be insulated to R-19 or
R-21, and the ceiling at R-30. An R-10 insulated door of either
fiberglass or steel should be used. Make sure that the door
seals well when closed.
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Concrete walls do not need to
be insulated providing they are underground. At the two-foot
level and above, you will need to insulate the outside of
the concrete. It is suggested you insulate down to the two-foot
level with R-10 extruded polystyrene. It's not recommended
to use insulated concrete forms that have an R-50 rating.
The tested values are closer to R-20. The California Energy
Commission rates the ICF system at an R-value of about 20.
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The concrete floor should not
be insulated. This, along with not insulating the concrete
walls below two feet, will help stabilize the room temperature
at the adjoining ground temperature of about 60 to 64 degrees
F. Check with the local building official to see if that area
has any pockets of radon. If so, there will be special requirements
for insulating and ventilating the wine cellar room.
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As the below grade room will
have a stabilized temperature above the required 55 degrees
F, cooling will be necessary. You may need to select a dedicated
air conditioning system for the wine cellar room to cool it
year around.
You might want to have your site tested for temperature
at depths of one foot, two feet and eight feet as your site
may not fit the data provided above. The site you have chosen
for this project may differ from the 60-to-64-degree-F range
if there is geothermal groundwater nearby. Also, the temperature
will vary throughout the year as the ground heats up in the
late summer months and cools down in the late winter months.
The following list of commercial Web sites provides information
about wine cellar designs and cooling systems. Please note,
this is not an endorsement of services or products, but rather,
information about the availability of these services and/or
products. We do recommend extending your research to other companies
to get a full range of options.
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Vino
Cellars & Accessories addresses insulation, wall and
ceiling framing and coverings, cellar doors, flooring, lighting,
climate control systems and wine racks.
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Vintage Cellars is located in San Marcos, CA. They also
sell wine cellar cooling systems.
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Wine Cellars Unlimited sells cooling systems for wine
cellars. They also have wine cellar room designs listed on
their site.
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