--- title: "Cellar Cooling Unit Running Constantly: Causes and Fixes" description: "A cellar cooling unit running constantly never falls quiet: the compressor hums all day and night, the exhaust side stays warm, and the cellar either barely…" url: "https://winecellarrepair.center/problems/cellar-unit-running-constantly/" --- # Cellar Cooling Unit Running Constantly A cellar cooling unit running constantly never falls quiet: the compressor hums all day and night, the exhaust side stays warm, and the cellar either barely holds its temperature or drifts slowly upward. ## What it usually means. A cellar unit is chosen to handle the heat the room gains, and in a sealed, insulated cellar it should rest for part of every hour. When it cannot, the gap is on one of two sides. Either the room is taking in more heat than planned, through a door that no longer seals, a missing piece of insulation, glass, lights left on, or a hot exhaust space that makes every hour of running less effective; or the unit has lost capacity, through a dirty condenser coil, a slow fan, a low refrigerant charge or a worn compressor. It can also be the controller: a sensor that reads warm or a relay stuck closed will keep the compressor running in a room that is already cold. Constant running is not an emergency, but it wears the compressor, dries the air, and is often the first sign of a unit about to lose ground. The 5 causes, cheapest first Answer these first 01 Is the cellar holding near 55°F, drifting warmer, or getting colder than the setting? 02 How warm is the space where the exhaust goes, and is there open air around the hot-side grille? 03 When was the condenser coil on the hot side last cleaned? 04 Are the cellar lights left on, and is the door weatherstrip intact on all sides? 05 Did the running start with hot weather, or after a change to the room? ## Check these before you book. Cellar cooling unit running constantly: 5 checks, and none of them costs anything. 01 Note the cellar temperature on a thermometer in water, and whether it is holding, rising or falling. 02 Clear the space around the exhaust grille and feel how warm that room is. 03 Check that the cellar door closes firmly against its weatherstrip and that the lights are off when nobody is inside. ### Also worth checking - Look at the hot-side coil through its grille for a mat of dust. - Tell us the make, the model number and when the constant running began. ### How soon does it need a visit? Not urgent while the cellar holds its temperature. Book within a week or two; if the room starts warming, it becomes urgent. ## The causes, cheapest first. 5 things cellar cooling unit running constantly turns out to be, from exhaust space too hot to room load higher than the unit's capacity. [The cost guide](https://winecellarrepair.center/cost/) 1. 01 no repair ### Exhaust space too hot A unit breathing into a closed closet or a hot garage works far harder. Open the space or give it ventilation and watch whether the running shortens. No repair: check it yourself 2. 02 low ### Condenser coil clogged with dust A dusty hot-side coil sheds heat slowly, so each hour of running removes less heat from the cellar. [Fixed by cellar evaporator and condenser fan repair](https://winecellarrepair.center/services/cellar-evaporator-and-condenser-fan-repair/) 3. 03 low to moderate ### Sensor or relay keeping it on A sensor reading warm or a relay that stays closed makes the unit run in a cold room. [Fixed by cellar controller and sensor repair](https://winecellarrepair.center/services/cellar-controller-and-sensor-repair/) [See wine cellar too cold](https://winecellarrepair.center/problems/cellar-too-cold/) 4. 04 moderate to highest ### Low refrigerant charge A slow leak leaves the unit running long and cooling little. On a split system, the flare fittings and the line set are common places to find it. [Fixed by cellar cooling leak search and recharge](https://winecellarrepair.center/services/cellar-refrigerant-leak-repair/) [On a split-system cellar cooling](https://winecellarrepair.center/types/split-system-cellar-cooling-repair/) 5. 05 varies ### Room load higher than the unit's capacity A door gap, a new glass wall or missing insulation raises the heat load until the unit can no longer rest. A room check measures it and shows whether sealing will do or a larger unit is needed. [Fixed by cellar cooling load and room check](https://winecellarrepair.center/services/cellar-cooling-load-and-room-check/) 6. What it costs ### Every repair on the site's cost scale, side by side Open the cost guide ## What else it could be. Most often confused with wine cellar too warm, then cellar cooling unit exhaust overheating. [All problems](https://winecellarrepair.center/problems/) Codes that come with it - [`AL` Breezaire · Temperature and alarms](https://winecellarrepair.center/error-codes/breezaire-al/) - [`AH1` CellarCool · Temperature and alarms](https://winecellarrepair.center/error-codes/cellarcool-ah1/) - [`HA` CellarPro · Temperature and alarms](https://winecellarrepair.center/error-codes/cellarpro-ha/) - [`AH1` WhisperKOOL · Temperature and alarms](https://winecellarrepair.center/error-codes/whisperkool-ah1/) - [`Flashing temperature with (!)` Wine Guardian · Temperature and alarms](https://winecellarrepair.center/error-codes/wine-guardian-high-temperature-alarm/) - [`Flashing humidity with (!) below the low limit` Wine Guardian · Humidity](https://winecellarrepair.center/error-codes/wine-guardian-low-humidity-alarm/) [2 more codes, by make](https://winecellarrepair.center/error-codes/) Also related - [**Wine Cellar Too Cold** 4 causes](https://winecellarrepair.center/problems/cellar-too-cold/) The collection is exposed ### Wine Cellar Too Warm 6 causes ### Cellar Cooling Unit Exhaust Overheating 5 causes ### Wine Cellar Humidity Too Low 4 causes ## The makes it happens on. 7 makes on this site; cellar cooling unit running constantly can show up on any of them. Each mark opens that make's own page. [All 7 brands](https://winecellarrepair.center/brands/) ## Cellar Cooling Unit Running Constantly, where we come out. 9 metros, each with its own page. [All service areas](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/) [Tampa Bay](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/) FL · 31 areas - [Hyde Park](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/hyde-park/) - [Davis Islands](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/davis-islands/) - [Palma Ceia](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/palma-ceia/) - [Westchase](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/westchase/) - [Carrollwood](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/carrollwood/) - [Belleair](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/belleair/) - [St. Pete Beach](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/st-pete-beach/) - [Palm Harbor](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/palm-harbor/) [Orlando](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/orlando/) FL · 30 areas - [Winter Park](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/orlando/winter-park/) - [Windermere](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/orlando/windermere/) - [Dr. Phillips](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/orlando/dr-phillips/) - [Bay Hill](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/orlando/bay-hill/) - [Lake Nona](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/orlando/lake-nona/) - [Heathrow](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/orlando/heathrow/) - [Celebration](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/orlando/celebration/) [Miami / South Florida](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/south-florida/) FL · 47 areas - [Brickell](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/south-florida/brickell/) - [Coconut Grove](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/south-florida/coconut-grove/) - [Coral Gables](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/south-florida/coral-gables/) - [Pinecrest](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/south-florida/pinecrest/) - [Key Biscayne](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/south-florida/key-biscayne/) - [Aventura](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/south-florida/aventura/) - [Sunny Isles Beach](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/south-florida/sunny-isles-beach/) - [Bal Harbour](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/south-florida/bal-harbour/) - [Miami Beach](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/south-florida/miami-beach/) - [Golden Beach](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/south-florida/golden-beach/) - [Weston](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/south-florida/weston/) - [Boca Raton](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/south-florida/boca-raton/) - [Palm Beach](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/south-florida/palm-beach/) [New York Metro](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/new-york/) NY · 75 areas - [Upper East Side](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/new-york/upper-east-side/) - [Upper West Side](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/new-york/upper-west-side/) - [Tribeca](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/new-york/tribeca/) - [SoHo](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/new-york/soho/) - [Greenwich Village](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/new-york/greenwich-village/) - [Battery Park City](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/new-york/battery-park-city/) - [Brooklyn Heights](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/new-york/brooklyn-heights/) - [Park Slope](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/new-york/park-slope/) - [DUMBO](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/new-york/dumbo/) - [Forest Hills](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/new-york/forest-hills/) - [Great Neck](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/new-york/great-neck/) - [Southampton](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/new-york/southampton/) - [Scarsdale](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/new-york/scarsdale/) [Houston](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/houston/) TX · 36 areas - [River Oaks](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/houston/river-oaks/) - [Memorial](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/houston/memorial/) - [Tanglewood](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/houston/tanglewood/) - [Greater Heights](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/houston/greater-heights/) - [Kingwood](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/houston/kingwood/) - [Bellaire](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/houston/bellaire/) - [Bunker Hill Village](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/houston/bunker-hill-village/) - [Piney Point Village](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/houston/piney-point-village/) - [Hunters Creek Village](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/houston/hunters-creek-village/) - [Sugar Land](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/houston/sugar-land/) - [Cinco Ranch](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/houston/cinco-ranch/) - [The Woodlands](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/houston/the-woodlands/) - [West University](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/houston/west-university/) [Chicago](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/) IL · 50 areas - [Lincoln Park](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/lincoln-park/) - [Near North Side](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/near-north-side/) - [West Loop / Near West Side](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/west-loop-near-west-side/) - [Wilmette](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/wilmette/) - [Winnetka](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/winnetka/) - [Glencoe](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/glencoe/) - [River Forest](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/river-forest/) - [Oak Park](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/oak-park/) - [Hinsdale](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/hinsdale/) - [Lake Forest](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/lake-forest/) - [Highland Park](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/highland-park/) - [Gold Coast](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/gold-coast/) - [Lakeview](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/lakeview/) [Los Angeles](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/) CA · 95 areas - [Beverly Hills](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/beverly-hills/) - [Bel Air](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/bel-air/) - [Holmby Hills](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/holmby-hills/) - [Brentwood](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/brentwood/) - [Pacific Palisades](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/pacific-palisades/) - [Santa Monica](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/santa-monica/) - [Hancock Park](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/hancock-park/) - [Studio City](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/studio-city/) - [Calabasas](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/calabasas/) - [Manhattan Beach](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/manhattan-beach/) - [Palos Verdes Estates](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/palos-verdes-estates/) - [Pasadena](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/pasadena/) - [San Marino](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/san-marino/) - [Malibu](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/malibu/) [San Diego](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/san-diego/) CA · 31 areas - [La Jolla](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/san-diego/la-jolla/) - [Carmel Valley](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/san-diego/carmel-valley/) - [Point Loma](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/san-diego/point-loma/) - [Del Mar](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/san-diego/del-mar/) - [Rancho Santa Fe](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/san-diego/rancho-santa-fe/) - [Coronado](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/san-diego/coronado/) - [Encinitas](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/san-diego/encinitas/) - [Solana Beach](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/san-diego/solana-beach/) [San Francisco Bay Area](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/bay-area/) CA · 74 areas - [Pacific Heights](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/bay-area/pacific-heights/) - [Presidio Heights](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/bay-area/presidio-heights/) - [Russian Hill](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/bay-area/russian-hill/) - [Noe Valley](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/bay-area/noe-valley/) - [Sea Cliff](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/bay-area/sea-cliff/) - [Hillsborough](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/bay-area/hillsborough/) - [Atherton](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/bay-area/atherton/) - [Woodside](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/bay-area/woodside/) - [Palo Alto](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/bay-area/palo-alto/) - [Los Altos Hills](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/bay-area/los-altos-hills/) - [Tiburon](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/bay-area/tiburon/) - [Piedmont](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/bay-area/piedmont/) - [Marina](https://winecellarrepair.center/locations/bay-area/marina/) For the heart of your home. ## Questions about cellar cooling unit running constantly. ### How many hours a day should a wine cellar unit run? It depends on the room and the season, but a well-sized unit in a sealed cellar rests for part of every hour on a mild day. Running with no rest at all, day after day, points to too much load or lost capacity. ### Will constant running wear out the compressor? It adds hours and heat, and a compressor running hot for months ages faster. It also dries the cellar air. Fixing the cause usually costs less than living with it. ### My unit runs all summer but rests in winter. Is that a problem? It is common for a unit sized close to the limit. If the cellar holds its temperature, it may be acceptable, but a clean condenser coil and a cooler exhaust space often give it back some rest. ### Do cellar lights make a difference? Yes. Lights left on add heat all day, and older bulbs add a lot of it. LED lighting on a door switch or a timer is an easy gain. --- **[Read on the site: Cellar Cooling Unit Running Constantly: Causes and Fixes](https://winecellarrepair.center/problems/cellar-unit-running-constantly/)** **[Book a visit with WineCellarRepair.center](https://winecellarrepair.center/schedule/)**