| Environmental discussions of late have focused a lot | | | | when needed, there is a vibration naturally attached to |
| of time on the "global warming" dilemma that we all | | | | that process. However, some compressor wine cooler |
| face. Of course, local and worldwide politics seems to | | | | models do come with a "damping system" that virtually |
| be taking an ever-increasing role in defining and | | | | eliminates the vibration issue. |
| resolving the impact of global warming on our future. I | | | | When storing wines for more than 2 years with the |
| do not believe this issue will be resolved in the political | | | | intent of aging them properly, keeping vibration of the |
| arena any time soon, but I do believe we all can do our | | | | wine sediments to a minimum can be critical to |
| part in contributing to a preferred result. My mother | | | | success. For short-term storage (less than 2 years), |
| always told me "little things always seem to add up to | | | | there is little noticeable difference between |
| big things". One little thing we can do with regard to | | | | compressor and thermoelectric cooling systems. A |
| wine and beverage cooling is the use of thermoelectric | | | | good case can be made that a dual zone |
| technology. | | | | thermoelectric wine cooler for simultaneously aging red |
| In the 1800's, a French Scientist named Peltier | | | | and white wines would be an excellent choice for |
| discovered that when electric current goes through | | | | aging your wine collection. |
| two different metals, (semi-conductors), a temperature | | | | Thermoelectric wine coolers are not without a major |
| difference occurs. The semi-conductors, working like | | | | disadvantage that you must be aware of that affects |
| heat pumps, drive heat from one surface to another. | | | | their cooling efficiency. When the ambient temperature |
| By adding a circulating fan to the "heat pump" process | | | | of the room where your wine cooler will be operated |
| discovered by Peltier, you could design and build a | | | | exceeds approximately 77 degrees F., the cooling |
| "thermoelectric wine cooler". | | | | effectiveness of a thermoelectric wine cooler declines. |
| Thermoelectric cooling technology does not use | | | | Additionally, the difference between the ambient room |
| chlorofluorocarbons like CFCs and HCFCs. These | | | | temperature and the "set" cooling temperature should |
| chemicals are known to be partly responsible for the | | | | not be higher than about 13 degrees F. Some people |
| thinning in the stratosphere of the protective ozone | | | | like their homes cool and some like them warmer, but it |
| layer. There are laws now that control the use of | | | | is a consideration if you opt for a thermoelectric wine |
| these chemicals, but leaks in a cooling system using | | | | refrigerator. Generally they will operate more efficiently |
| these chemicals could be a problem. Additionally, these | | | | in a home when ambient temperatures are relatively |
| eco-friendly wine coolers generally are more energy | | | | stable and on the cool side of the spectrum. |
| efficient than compressor designed models. | | | | In the right situation, going eco-friendly with your wine |
| Another advantage of using this cooling technology is | | | | cooler purchase is a good choice for the environment. |
| these wine refrigerators operate with no noise and are | | | | At a minimum, this one small choice, when added to |
| vibration free. If you have an older refrigerator, you can | | | | other people's choices, will be a step in the right |
| hear the distinctive hum of a compressor based | | | | direction. |
| cooling system. When compressors kick on and off | | | | |