1. Proper Ventilation
2. Proper Installation
3. Proper Cellar Design
4. Proper Maintenance
5. In some cases, geographical location

Having a cooling unit in a cellar is unlike any other appliance a customer would have in their home.  Other than a refrigerator that operates continually, no other appliance you own will operate on a continuous basis.  Keep in mind that a refrigerator is built with correct insulation and manages the space inside which is 30 cubic feet.  A refrigerator will last 10 to 15 years.
A cellar can be 10 to 100 times larger.  The cooling unit will operate continuously as needed, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days per year.  No other appliance or even a car will be required to work as hard.  That is why wine cellar cooling units are specialized pieces of equipment and the proper installation, ventilation and maintenance (cleaning/ vacuuming coils) are critical to the unit’s performance and longevity.

If 1-4 are appropriate, your unit could last 10 years or longer, but like any appliance, the more it is used, the more rapidly it will wear.
Please see our video, “How to Build a Wine Cellar” to assure all important factors are accounted for.

What does the warranty cover? How long is warranty period? 
WhisperKOOL Units --two years parts & labor and five years for the compressor itself, contingent upon correct installation that is in compliance with Vinotheque standards, please see above question. 
Cabinets -- two years parts and labor, five years on the compressor itself and five years for the integrity of the cabinet.

Can I buy an extended warranty on my cabinet or WhisperKOOL?
Not at this time.

Why are WhisperKOOL rivets so difficult to access?
WhisperKOOL units are riveted shut to ensure that the unit is not accessed or serviced during its warranty period.  Opening the unit during the warranty period voids the warranty.

Why can’t a service technician repair on site? Why must a warranty unit be replaced?  I would prefer a Service Technician worked in my cellar.
Opening the unit will void your warranty.  Service Technicians are qualified to perform installation and recommended maintenance.  They are not; however, trained to analyze intricate issues associated with your unit, therefore, we ask that you send your unit to the factory for analysis by a Vinothèque engineer.

Where can I locate a list of Service Technicians in my area?   Why can’t I click on a map that will give me a local technician?
We strive to identify only the best qualified Technicians and therefore continually update our list.  Unfortunately, we are unable to update our website as rapidly as necessary. We are currently developing a system to quickly provide you with local technicians.  Please, contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-343-9463 for a Non- Warranty Technician Referral near you.  We cannot guaranty or warranty any work done by an outside service technician.   All of our referrals are independent contractors with experience working on our products.  In the event that a non warranty technician works on a malfunctioning unit with warranty, all warranty is voided.  Remember, without prior approval, a technician may VOID your warranty if your unit’s rivets are removed.  Please see warranty policy.

Does Vinotheque cover technician costs?
QT - if the cabinet is less than two years old and all troubleshooting has been exhausted, Vinotheque will contact a service technician and send necessary warranty approved documentation to the technician.  If the technician finds that the unit has failed due to misuse, abuse or neglect by the customer, then the customer is responsible for all technician charges.

WK, XLT and Extreme – Vinotheque does not authorize warranty work on a WhisperKOOL unit.  All WhisperKOOL warranty repairs are performed by Vinothèque specialists in our facility.  Replacements are allowed at the discretion of Vinothèque.

Split System - When a unit is less than two years old, all troubleshooting has been exhausted and the unit has been evaluated by the installing technician, Vinothèque will ensure the customer signs a warranty agreement that includes terms and conditions:  the unit failed because of a manufacture problem,  repair or replacement will be the responsibility of Vinothèque, but if the unit has failed due to installation error, misuse, abuse, neglect, etc., then the owner is responsible for all charges relating to the repair or replacement of the unit.  Vinotheque will contact a technician to evaluate the unit, identify the cause of problem and make any necessary repairs.  If the technician determines the failure was due to installation error, misuse, abuse, neglect, etc., the technician’s invoice will be forwarded to the customer.

1. Ensure your unit power switch is OFF
2. Your thermostat box has 2 screws, one on the left side and another on the right.
3.  Remove both screws and place in a safe location.
4. Remove the thermostat by gently pulling thermostat forward (towards you)
5. Find the serial number (s/n), located behind the thermostat.  The serial number starts with the letter “A” and five numbers to follow.
6. On a notepad, write the serial number and model number
7. Replace thermostat (on brackets)
8. Replace each screw: one on left side and the other on the right side
9. Turn power switch ON

Split System: this system has two serial numbers, one on the condenser and another on the evaporator.

Condenser

1. Remove exterior housing
2. View front of unit
3. Serial number will be in the center
4. On a note pad, write the number.  The serial number starts with the letter “S” and four numbers to follow.
5. Replace housing

Evaporator

1. Ensure your unit is turned OFF
2. Locate thermostat
3.  Your thermostat box has 2 screws on the bottom
4. Remove both screws and place in a safe location.
5. Remove the thermostat by gently pulling thermostat forward (towards you)
6. Serial number (s/n) is located on bottom housing under thermostat.  The serial number starts with the letter “S” and four numbers to follow.
7. On a notepad, write the number
8. Replace thermostat (on brackets)
9. Replace each screw
10. Turn power switch ON

Extreme: serial number is on the bottom right side of unit

1. Face the front of your unit
2. Look on the right side of your unit approximately 6” back
3. Note side (power) switch outlet
4. Serial number is within 1” of outlet.  The serial number starts with the letter “A” and five numbers to follow.
5. On a notepad, write the number

QT Cabinets: the serial number is on the right door, inside, in the top left corner, near the hinge (if multiple doors, the door that is most to the right).

1. Open door on right side of cabinet
2. On the inside of door, look to top left corner
3. Locate serial number
4. On a notepad, write the number.  The serial number starts with the letter “A” and five numbers to follow.
5. Close the cabinet door

WhisperKOOL Cabinets: serial number is located on front bottom, right side of your unit

1. Open door(s) to the  cabinet
2. Locate the black WhisperKOOL Unit (usually mounted at the top of the cabinet.)
3. View the bottom of the WhisperKOOL Unit.
4. The serial number is off to the right or near the center bottom of the unit
5. On a notepad, write the number
6. Close door(s) to cabinet

1. Ensure your unit power switch is OFF
2. Your thermostat box has 2 screws, one on the left side and another on the right.
3.  Remove both screws.
4. Remove the thermostat by pulling thermostat forward (away from the unit and towards you)
5. Gently disconnect the  wires that connect the thermostat to the unit
6. Place the thermostat and screws in a safe, out of the way location
7. Attach bypass plug
8. Turn Power Switch ON
9. Allow unit to run for 24 hours
10. After 24 hours, use an accurate thermometer (preferably a high quality digital thermometer) to measure the temperature of the air coming out of the WhisperKOOL unit’s front fans
11. Inspect unit and on a pad of paper, note anything out of the ordinary
12. Contact Vinothèque Wine Cellars Customer Service Department at 1-800-343-9463 with temperature and observations.

Replace Thermostat

1. Ensure your unit power switch is OFF
2. Unplug bypass switch
3. Gently plug wires that connect the thermostat to the unit
4. Replace thermostat (on brackets)
5. Replace each screw: one on left side and the other on the right side
6. Turn power switch ON
7. Wait five minute countdown

Three options for cellar cooling: XLT, The Split System and The Extreme:

1. The XLT offers a 30° differential and “through the wall mounting/installation”
2. The Split System hooks together with small refrigeration line, so with the proper cellar design, an exhaust room is not necessary. Additionally, the Split System does not require a large quantity of air to cool and the system will operate in 0° temperature with a 55° differential.
3. The Extreme can be ducted, exhausts outside and offers a quiet cellar with remote mount thermostat.  This system will operate in 0° temperature with a 55° differential and automatic shut off to prevent overheating.