Replies

1. 
   Scott | Feb 16, 2010 01:02am | #1

   >>>should I even be concerned?

   Yes. A refrigeration system needs to dump it's heat somewhere, and if you don't provide that "somewhere" then you're in for inflated energy costs and/or premature failure of the system.

2. 
   IdahoDon | Feb 16, 2010 11:35am | #2

   That depends on where the heat excapes the cooler. Some are along the back, some the bottom, some the sides...

   Often you are fine by allowing a bit of space along the top and bottom for heat to naturally find it's way out. If you don't want any spaces you probably need to work a small exhaust fan into the cabinet.

3. 
   CapnMac | Feb 16, 2010 03:23pm | #3

   Not a bad idea to go to the manufacturer's web site and look for "installation" instructions for the specific model cooler you have. Often, usefull info--like how tightly one can build a unit in, or what volume of venting is required--are included therein.

   Sometimes being an evil word, and Murphy an annoyingly common fellow.

4. 
   DanH | Feb 16, 2010 10:04pm | #4

   90 watts is a hair less than a 100 watt lightbulb. Enclose a 100 watt lightbulb in a small cabinet and the temp will build up to a couple of hundred degrees in fairly short order.

   Ideally you should study the unit and note where the air enters and exits. Arrange so that air will flow through vents from outside the cabinet into the air intakes of the unit and the flow out through different vents in the cabinet, with little if any cross flow from unit exhaust to unit intake. Make the vents in the cabinet be about 1 and a half to two times as large as the vents in the unit.

1. 
   Ray | Feb 17, 2010 10:42am | #5

   Thanks everybody for the comments.  I see the new wine coolers have a front ventilation system.  The boss said she'd put the wine cooler somewhere else & just go with another cupboard instead of having a cupboard with vent holes in it or buying another cooler.  :-)

   The plan was for a kitchen island, I can still put a vent grille above and below the door with an ultra-quiet fan as an option.  Awaiting SWMBO's final decision.