The latest news from wine cellar cooling specialists Heronhill Air Conditioning.
We’ve found SensorPush wireless humidity & temperature sensors to be quite accurate out of the box, but if you find you do need to calibrate yours it’s very straightforward. Watch to find out how.
If you have any problems and you want to speak to someone feel free to give us a call on 01823 665 660.
Our good friends at Wine Guardian have made this helpful video showing some tips on building a wine cellar.
If you are in the UK and need any further help with Wine Guardian products or any aspect of building your wine cellar feel free to contact us, we’ll do our best to help.
At first glance, there may not be a great deal of similarity between your wine cellar and an ocean-going yacht. However, there is one area when the two can be alike, and that's in the need to remove excess humidity.
For some time we've been very impressed with the dehumidifiers from the Anglo-Dutch manufacturer Ecor Pro. This view has been confirmed by a review in Yachting World magazine of their compact Dryboat dehumidifier. The Dryboat is an all stainless steel version of the Dryfan unit we recommend for wine cellars, amongst other applications.
You can download the complete review, but their conclusion says it all, "It’s rare that we rate something this highly but the DryBoat 12 has proven to be a superb marine dehumidifier that has delivered exceptional results all summer in tough environments such as Spitsbergen and Norway."
For more information about any of the Ecor Pro products, please feel free to contact us.
SensorPush Sensor
The SensorPush system provides temperature and humidity monitoring in a small cost-effective package.
Multiple Sensors can be connected to a Gateway making the data available to view online via a smartphone app. A website will be available shortly giving even more functionality.
We originally came across SensorPush when looking for a solution to meet the needs of our wine cellar customers, but SensorPush proved to be much more than that. We can see this product being useful in a range of applications.
We’ve had a number of Sensors on test for a while, the system has proved to be accurate and very reliable. Measuring just 40 x 40 x 16.5mm the Sensors are tiny, ideal for any location.
SensorPush Gateway
We particularly like that all the settings can be controlled from your smartphone. So if the client is away from home and they decide they need to add or change an alarm setting it’s all there.
Further information is available to download from our Monitoring page. Sensors and Gateways are in stock ready for despatch.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss a project give us a call on 01823 665 660 or email nigel.rumsey@heronhill.co.uk.
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The following article by Nigel Manning, Managing Director at Heronhill, was published in the January 2018 issue of ACR News magazine.
Fifty years ago, cellar cooling systems were predominantly refrigeration products with Prestcold and Searle having the industry sewn up, highly specified by the big breweries. This ubiquitous combination, being reliable products, had a large share of the market for many years.
However, in those days, it was quite a challenge to even quote for a cellar cooler, let alone have to install one. You first had to select the right size evaporator and then find a condensing unit to suit - they were not matched systems in those days! After deciding on the refrigerant, you then had to select the correct size expansion valve to suit the system, find the appropriate orifice and then a solenoid valve and coil, not forgetting a de-ice stat and thermostat. The condensing unit then would need to have an HP and LP switch fitted, as well as a sight glass, head pressure controller, an isolator and, last of all, a weatherproof housing for the condensing unit.
Then, of course, the system would need to be installed - with the extra time of having to fit all those components, you wouldn't get away with installing a system in a day like you would now. The process was a work of art for some but it wasn't cost effective and it was only a matter of time before the market would open out with the introduction of packaged cellar cooling systems. These new kids on the block had all the components already fitted and were off readily available from your local supplier.
Initially 'Packaged' systems were frowned upon by fridge engineers, as they were concerned that the air conditioning manufacturers were encroaching on the hallowed ground of the refrigeration industry, and besides, what's wrong with making a louvred housing of your finest timber to protect your beloved condensing unit - a hutch rabbits would be proud of!
How times have changed! Time is money so it's not surprising that cellar cooling equipment has evolved over the years to enable a more efficient and speedy installation. We may take it for granted but most of these components are now fitted as standard and the air conditioning 'packaged' concept has very much influenced the refrigeration industry, make an installation so much quicker and easier than before - some might say, making things too easy!
Marstair and Tempair (Qualitair) were pioneers 40 years ago in simplifying the cellar cooling product and posed a real threat to the stranglehold Prestcold and Searle had in the market at the time. The equipment may have been basic, but was cheaper to buy and also much quicker to install and these cost savings were passed on to the independent pub landlords and breweries.
This increased competition from air conditioning products has greatly influenced the design and manufacture of refrigeration equipment over the years and most manufacturers have greatly refined their products accordingly with the outcome being more stylish, energy efficient, quieter systems fully 'dressed' with all the components fitted. With the ongoing development of inverter technology and more sophisticated controls, no doubt the two industries will continue to forge stronger links and develop together.
For supply of condensing units and all refrigeration equipment see our main website.
