The following information is provided as a guide for the creation of the proper environment in which to install and use the WhisperKOOL¨ product. Because WhisperKOOL is a specialized piece of equipment, it is imperative that the following cellar design parameters and installation be followed exactly. Failure to do so will result in improper cooling and shortened life cycle

Wall & Ceiling Framing
Build wine cellar walls using standard 2 x 4 or 2 x 6 construction methods and ceiling joists following the guidelines of local and state codes in your area. The general rule for a cellar is the thicker the walls, the better the insulation factor, the better the cellar remains at a consistent temperature.

Insulation
Insulation is required with the use of the WhisperKOOL product; Standard ÒFiberglassÓ or ÒRigid FoamÓ insulation is normally used in cellar construction, or in some cases, blown in insulation is used. It is very important that all walls and ceiling be insulated to keep the cellar temperature as consistent as possible during the summer and winter months.

The R factor or thickness of insulation is determined by the thickness of the walls and ceiling. For example, fiberglass insulation of R13 is designed to be used in a 2 x 4 wall. R19 is used in a 2 x 6 wall. It is important to use the correct insulation for the wall thickness.

Walls- A minimum of R13 is required to be applied to the interior walls of a cellar. Exterior walls require R-19 insulation.

Ceiling- A minimum of R19 is required for the ceiling of the cellar. If the ceiling is exposed to direct sunlight or strong winds, R-30 is required.

Door- an exterior grade door must be installed as a cellar door. It is very important that weather stripping is attached to all 4 sides of the doorjamb. A bottom ÒsweepÓ or threshold is also required. The door must have a very good seal to keep the cool cellar air from escaping out of the cellar. One of the most common problems with cooling units running continually is due to not sealing the door properly. In cases where glass doors are used and the room size is close to the recommended unit size. The next larger size WhisperKOOL should be used. This will compensate for the insulation loss due to the inefficient door.

Vapor Barrier
Vapor barrier is required if a climate control cooling unit is installed to keep the cellar at the correct temperature. 6 mm plastic sheeting is applied to the warm side of the cellar walls. The vapor barrier must be either applied to the outside walls and ceiling, or if it is impossible to get to the outside, then the plastic must be applied from within the cellar. The most common method is to wrap the entire interior, leaving the plastic loose in the stud cavity so the insulation can be placed between each stud. All walls and ceiling must be wrapped in plastic for a complete vapor barrier.

Mounting the Unit
The unit should be mounted within 18 inches of the top of the room in order to achieve sufficient cooling. As the room cools down, the warm air will raise to the ceiling. By mounting the unit high in the room, the unit will capture the warm air and cool it creating a consistently cool environment. Mounting the unit low in the room will result in a temperature variation in the room due to the units inability to draw warm air from the ceiling of the cellar to the unit itself.

Ventilation
The necessity of dissipating heat away from the unit is critical to the units performance and cannot be overstated. As the unit operates and cools, an equal or greater amount of heat is generated on the exhaust side of the unit. Adequate ventilation is required in order to dissipate heat away from the unit. If ventilation is inadequate, the exhaust will heat up and adversely affect the unitÕs ability to cool. In some case, it maybe advisable to install a vent fan to dissipate heat within the exhaust area. On backside of unit.

Ducting
Do not attempt to install any type of ducting. The unit is designed to exhaust into an open area. Any attempt to duct the exhaust ports in an attempt to redirect airflow will result in voiding the warranty. The fans are not designed to push air through a restricted duct system. The fans will be over worked and may result in premature failure.

Unobstructed Airflow
Unobstructed airflow to and from the unit is a critical factor in the units overall performance. Make sure there is a three-foot horizontal clearance in the front and rear of the unit. This will assure that the unit can move the air around in an efficient manner. Avoid the attempt to camouflage the unit by installing racking in front of the unit. This will restrict airflow and thus the unitÕs ability to work efficiently.

Electrical Needs
The WhisperKOOL system requires a dedicated 110-volt 20-amp circuit for the 1600, 3000 and 4200 models. The 6000 and 8000 models require a 30-amp circuit. The unit draws a large amount of amps during initial start up. By designating a dedicated circuit breaker, you will guarantee the unit has enough power to run effectively. Contact your electrician for installation of this dedicated electrical circuit.

Purchase a surge protector or power conditioner to plug your WhisperKOOL unit into. As with any sensitive electrical equipment, the WhisperKOOL unitÕs circuitry may be damaged by power surges and spikes. Power surges and spikes are not covered by the WhisperKOOL warranty.

Sizing Unit to Room
The specification chart will provide information on the units room cooling capacity. There are circumstances in which a cellar design may require a larger unit due to some existing design restrictions. In such a case, we recommend that the customer consider purchasing a unit with a larger capacity to compensate for the design limitations. Issues such as glass doors, concrete walls and floors may seem adequate but do not offer the insulation capacity required to maintain the optimum environment.

Lighting
Lighting a wine cellar is an important part of the overall cellar decor. Lights can cause excess heat and may require the cooling equipment to operate excessively. ÒAir LockÓ recessed ceiling lights are the most popular. These should be put on dimmer switches to control brightness. In most cases, these are used as the main lights within the cellar. Also popular are various display lights to accent different areas of the cellar. Different types of spotlights are used to highlight picture openings, table areas, or large format display bottles. It is recommended that all lighting be on a timer system so they canÕt be left on for long periods of time.

Flooring
All types of flooring are used in cellars. Most commonly used is slate, tile, marble, or vinyl. NEVER USE CARPET. Carpet will mold and mildew in the cool, damp climate conditions of a cellar. As with the case of wall coverings, flooring is normally chosen to match the overall decor colors of the cellar. The flooring should be applied to a level surface. It is best not to apply base trim or moldings to the walls behind the racking.
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