Does Panthaire install wine cellar cooling in a new house?

A licensed HVAC contractor installs. Panthaire introduces approved contractors on active projects.

What if the door is already custom glass?

Keep it. Add the glass load, then size. A clear glass door adds about 15%. Confirm the envelope and the mechanical-room ambient range before the model is locked.

Who does the cellar versus the cooling?

The builder owns the schedule and the envelope. Panthaire provides the cooling unit and its specification. Millwork, door, and racking stay with the cellar shop.

When in the build should the cooling be specified?

Before the cellar door is ordered and before drywall. The mechanical space, circuit, and condensate drain are planned at framing.

For custom home builders

A wine cellar specified before the door is ordered

A new-house cellar is specified before the custom door is ordered. The builder owns the schedule and the envelope. Panthaire provides the cooling specification. A licensed HVAC contractor installs. Door, racking, and millwork stay with the cellar shop.

Licensed HVAC · Wine Cellar Cooling Specialists

Reviewed · September 1, 2026

Panthaire APEX is specified into a new house before the cellar door is ordered. A 6 ft 4 in by 6 ft 4 in by 10 ft room is about 400 ft³ (11 m³) and, with a glass door and an envelope built to R-20, is an APEX 3500 project. The unit is installed by a licensed HVAC contractor in a conditioned mechanical space at 50–77°F (10–25°C), on a dedicated 115V/60Hz circuit, with a sloped condensate drain. 2 years warranty.

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On the job

Takeaways

01Size the room before the door is ordered. A glass door adds about 15% to the load. A glass wall adds more.
02Default starter package: about 400 ft³, glass door, 200 to 400 bottles, ducted Panthaire APEX unit in a conditioned mechanical space.
03A 6 ft 4 in by 6 ft 4 in by 10 ft room is about 400 ft³. With an envelope built to specification, that is an APEX 3500 project.
04Cooling is a specified unit. Installation is a licensed HVAC contractor. Panthaire introduces approved contractors on active projects.
05Send the closing or occupancy date with the project. Panthaire returns a specification review within two business days.

Wine cellar cooling in new construction: the default package, about 400 ft³, glass door, APEX 3500

01Room: 6 ft 4 in x 6 ft 4 in x 10 ft (about 400 ft³, 11 m³).
02Door: custom metal with clear glass, about +15% load.
03Unit: ducted Panthaire APEX 3500, in a conditioned mechanical space at 50–77°F (10–25°C).
04Electrical and drain: dedicated 115V/60Hz circuit, sloped condensate line.
05Installation: licensed HVAC. 2 years warranty.

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One project, four seats

Builder or owner-builder

Schedule, envelope, general contractor, closing date.

Panthaire

Unit, specification documents, quote.

Licensed HVAC

Installation and commissioning.

Cellar shop

Door, racking, millwork.

Mark these on the walkthrough

Glass-fronted wine cellar with a ceiling supply grille, cooled by Panthaire APEX — The room
Grilles only. The unit is not in the glass wall.

Wall controller beside a glass wine cellar cooled by Panthaire APEX — The target
55°F (13°C). Panthaire APEX controls temperature. Humidity is maintained by the envelope.

Panthaire APEX ducted wine cellar cooling unit in a conditioned mechanical space — The unit
Conditioned mechanical space, 50–77°F (10–25°C). Clearances per the cut sheet.

Specification sequence

How to specify Panthaire APEX

For cellars designed to look finished. Panthaire APEX is a factory-charged, fully ducted wine cellar cooling unit installed in an adjoining conditioned space. Only supply and return grilles appear in the room, and the grilles can match the millwork. The drawing set carries the envelope, the load, the placement, the runs, and the electrical.

1. Confirm the envelope. R-20 walls and ceiling, vapor barrier on the warm side, sealed penetrations. A glass door adds about 15% to the cooling load. A glass wall adds more.
2. Size the load. Enter length, width, height, glass area, and insulation in the BTU calculator. APEX 3500, 5000, and 7000 cover up to 900, 1,200, and 2,000 ft³ (25, 34, and 57 m³) when the envelope meets specification.
3. Place the unit. A conditioned mechanical space held at 50–77°F (10–25°C) year-round. Garages, attics, and crawlspaces do not meet this condition. Keep published clearances on all sides.
4. Route ducts and drain. Insulated supply and return, 25 ft maximum per run. Short, straight runs outperform long flex. Slope the condensate line to an approved receptor with no trapped low points.
5. Electrical. Dedicated 115V/60Hz circuit: 15A for APEX 3500 and 5000, 20A for APEX 7000. Do not share the circuit with lighting or a wine refrigerator.
6. Installation. A licensed HVAC contractor. DIY installation voids the warranty. Panthaire can introduce an approved contractor on an active project.

Grilles can match the millwork. The unit stays out of the finished room. Finish and concealment notes are included with the cut sheets in Documentation. 2 years warranty.

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Definitions

Conditioned mechanical space:: A room held at 50–77°F (10–25°C) year-round where the Panthaire APEX unit is installed, with published clearances, a dedicated circuit, and a condensate drain.
Owner-builder:: A homeowner acting as general contractor on their own new construction.
Cellar shop:: The trade that supplies the cellar door, racking, and millwork. The cooling unit is specified separately.

FAQ

Does Panthaire install wine cellar cooling in a new house?: A licensed HVAC contractor installs. Panthaire introduces approved contractors on active projects.
What if the door is already custom glass?: Keep it. Add the glass load, then size. A clear glass door adds about 15%. Confirm the envelope and the mechanical-room ambient range before the model is locked.
Who does the cellar versus the cooling?: The builder owns the schedule and the envelope. Panthaire provides the cooling unit and its specification. Millwork, door, and racking stay with the cellar shop.
When in the build should the cooling be specified?: Before the cellar door is ordered and before drywall. The mechanical space, circuit, and condensate drain are planned at framing.

Back to Panthaire Pro. Related: Before You Build, BTU calculator, Documentation.

Specification documents support the design team. Final sizing and installation are confirmed by the licensed HVAC contractor on site.