31 Dec The Best Lighting Options for a Wine Cellar
Wine cellars are specifically designed to be in cold and dark spaces. While there’s a lot of information on cooling available online, the element of darkness is often left out. Wine cellar designers have limited resources to create the perfect illumination for state-of-the-art cellars.
The importance of lighting for wine cellars cannot be stressed enough. People often fail to notice good lighting because, when done perfectly, is only for highlighting the wine in your storage space. These spaces use unique lights that are low in intensity and generate low amounts of heat. They are specifically positioned to beautifully illuminate your collection safely. The lighting in your wine cellar should help enhance the ambience of the cellar.
Light Sources That Are A Definite No-No
Before starting with the best lighting options for your wine cellar, some light sources to avoid are:
- Fluorescent Light Tubes – These lights emit high ultraviolet light waves, which can significantly affect your collection, making them the wrong choice.
- Daylight – This is arguably the worst source of light you can have in your cellar. Rays of full-spectrum sunlight can completely ruin your collection.
- Halogen Light Bulbs – These bulbs also emit considerable heat and cannot be used in small spaces.
Temperature changes can threaten your collection. Therefore, you need to ensure that all lights in your wine cellar emit cool light and are free from ultraviolet rays. You can also consider having protective coatings like screens, neutral density gels, and paints that effectively keep UV rays from sunlight at bay.
The Best Lighting Options for your Wine Cellar
Wall Sconces
When combined with LED track lighting, wall sconces are highly beneficial. One of the most common methods used for illuminating larger cellars, these low voltage lights work perfectly as linear fixtures or a continuous rail that’s electrically charged. LED lights have numerous advantages over other alternatives like tungsten or mono-filament lights.
When combined with LED track lighting, wall sconces are highly beneficial. One of the most common methods used for illuminating larger cellars, these low voltage lights work perfectly as linear fixtures or a continuous rail that’s electrically charged. LED lights have numerous advantages over other alternatives like tungsten or mono-filament lights.
While it’s a good thing to have directional beams, what’s even more important is its ability to keep cool and be energy efficient at the same time. Besides, they also require minimal maintenance and last much longer than traditional ones. These combined reasons make them the safest option for wine collectors and popular for residential and commercial cellars.
Light Emitting Diodes Or LED Lights
LEDs do not emit any UV light and stay cool, unlike halogens or incandescent bulbs, making them a great alternative. Serious collectors often opt for LED’s as they provide sufficient lighting without any heat emitted. While they cost more than other lighting options, they are significantly more economical.
They have a lifespan of more than 25 times that of incandescent bulbs, making them a highly cost-effective option. Besides saving on constant replacements, you also have lower electricity bills. They use roughly 75% less energy than all kinds of other lighting options available in the market. As they emit minimal amounts of heat, the cooling system of your wine cellar doesn’t have to work as hard,
Accent lights
LED runaway lights or tiny sconces can also be used to highlight your shelves, wine rack, the architecture of your cellar as well as the bottles. You can even have them hidden in the background or fitted into the racking. With this additional light, you can highlight various areas of your storage space.
Install dimmer switches to adjust the cellar’s brightness. Light timers or outlet timers, similar to ones in living rooms, can also be installed in your wine cellar. This way, they turn off automatically if someone forgets to turn them off.
Once you’ve established that LED lighting is the unmatched choice for illuminating wine cellars, there’s just one remaining question. How do you wish to illuminate your wine collection with LED lights in your wine cellar? Get in touch with a reputed company to determine the various lighting options you can choose from.
Contact Skilled Wine Cellar Designers
We help with every aspect of designing, planning and installing your wine cellar to have a safe and ideal environment for wine storage. To find out how Signature Cellars can help you with the best lighting option for your wine cellar, call us on 1300 570 636 or email info@signaturecellars.com.au, and we will respond shortly.
Thanks for reading,
Neil Smallman
Signature Cellars
1300 570 636
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