When installing a wine cellar cooling system, it’s important to consider the ambient temperature where the condensing unit is located. In colder climates or during winter months, outdoor temperatures can drop low enough to affect how refrigeration systems operate.
The WhisperKOOL Cold Weather Start Kit (CWSK) is an accessory designed to help WhisperKOOL split systems start and run reliably in low ambient temperatures. When temperatures fall below the normal operating range of a cooling system, refrigerant pressure can drop, making it difficult for the compressor to start.
The Cold Weather Start Kit addresses this issue by stabilizing system pressure during startup, allowing the cooling system to operate properly even in colder environments.
Many newer WhisperKOOL split systems include the Cold Weather Start Kit as a standard feature, while older systems may require it as an optional upgrade.
Most wine cellar cooling systems are designed to operate within a specific ambient temperature range, typically around 20°F to 110°F for outdoor condensing units.
When temperatures drop below this range, the pressure inside the refrigeration system also drops. If the pressure becomes too low, the compressor may struggle to start or may not start at all.
This situation can occur when the condensing unit is installed in:
Without proper protection, these conditions can prevent the cooling system from operating correctly.
The CWSK ensures proper system startup in cold weather by combining two key components:
During startup, the kit temporarily bypasses the low-pressure safety switch, allowing the compressor to begin operating even when refrigerant pressure is low due to cold temperatures.
The kit also includes temperature-controlled heaters installed on the receiver. These heaters gently warm the refrigerant, increasing system pressure to an optimal level so the cooling system can start normally.
Together, these components ensure the system maintains the proper pressure needed for reliable compressor startup.
A Cold Weather Start Kit is recommended if your condensing unit is exposed to temperatures below 20°F.
Common scenarios include:
If your condensing unit will remain in a location where winter temperatures regularly drop below the recommended operating range, installing a CWSK can help prevent startup failures.
