How the Cooling Load is Calculated
WhisperKOOL & CellarCool’s calculator uses industry-standard formulas based on their specifications, considering:
1. Cellar Volume
Measure the length × width × height of the wine room to calculate cubic feet.
2. Insulation & Vapor Barrier
Is the room properly insulated (minimum R-13 in walls and R-19 in ceilings)? What type of insulation did you use? Does it have a complete vapor barrier to prevent moisture exchange?
3. Glass and Door Exposure
Does the cellar include glass doors or walls, which increase heat gain? Is the glass single or double glazed?
4. Ambient Temperature
Is the cellar adjacent to warm rooms, garages, or exterior walls?
5. Location of Cooling Unit
Will the condenser be indoors or outdoors? This affects ambient load capacity.
Cooling Unit Sizing Guide Examples (Approximate)
| Cellar Volume (cu. ft.) | BTUs Needed (BTUs) | Recommended Units |
|---|---|---|
| 300–650 | 2,500–3,500 | WhisperKOOL SC PRO 2000, CellarCool CX2200 |
| 650-1,000 | 3,500–4,600 | WhisperKOOL SC PRO 3000, CellarCool CX3300 |
| 1,000–1,500 | 4,600–6,000 | WhisperKOOL SC PRO 4000, CellarCool CX4400 |
| 1,500–2,000+ | 6,000–8,800+ | WhisperKOOL Extreme Series, CellarCool CX8800 |
Note: Glass walls, poor insulation, or high-ambient installations may require upgrading to the next unit size or considering a split system.
Use Our WhisperKOOL & CellarCool Sizing Tool
Want instant results? Use WhisperKOOL & CellarCool’s to get an immediate estimate of your wine cellar’s BTU requirement based on real-world specs.
Simply enter your:
- Room dimensions
- Insulation level
- Number of glass surfaces
- Ambient temperature range
- Unit location (interior vs. exterior)
Once completed, we’ll recommend the most appropriate WhisperKOOL or CellarCool models to match your setup.
Need Help with Sizing?
Why Choose Wine Cooling Pro?
- Certified experts in Wine Guardian, WhisperKOOL, The Cube by Wine Square, KoolR, Wine-R, Panthair, Cellar Pro and CellarCool systems
- Personalized system recommendations
- Support with BTU sizing, installation planning, and product comparison
- Competitive pricing and fast shipping
- Long-term customer support
Protect your wine the right way—use the Cooling Calculator to find the perfect system for your cellar.
Wine Cooling Pro
Precision Cooling for Passionate Collectors.
Image credits: Paul Grdina Photography