What is the average humidity level?
A true wine cellar must be designed to guarantee an average humidity level of between 50 and 75% at all times.

Is too low a humidity level detrimental to my wine?
Rest assured, this phenomenon has a minimal impact on the wine: the cork may dry out. Please contact S.A.V. if the humidity level remains low.

How long have I had this wine cellar?
Check that the charcoal filter is not too old (> 1 year). If you haven't changed it in 1 year, we invite you to buy a new charcoal filter from your retailer or from www.vinokado.com to replace the old one.

How many readings have been taken? With what type of device?
One reading a day is not enough (constant fluctuations), so please take 1 reading every hour on average, for 24 hours.
Check the reliability and accuracy of the hygrometer, preferably using an electronic min/max hygrometer with a remote display. If your cellar is equipped with a hygrometry display, don't hesitate to use it.

What is the thermostat setting? What's the temperature in the cellar?
The higher the temperature, the higher the humidity reading.
Check that the seal is undamaged to ensure that the cellar is hermetically sealed.

Where is my cellar located?
If the cellar is located in a closed room, air the room frequently. If the cellar is located in an unheated room, at a certain time of year (mainly spring or autumn) your cellar will go into stand-by mode and the green and red lights will go out. This is normal, as the ambient temperature is equal to the required temperature of your cellar, and the hygrometry will also follow that of the room. The humidor will activate once there is +/- 2°C difference between the 2 temperatures (ambient and set).

If the humidity level remains too low:
Add a bowl of water to your cellar and wait for the liquid to evaporate completely, so that the humidity level rises again.

What is the average humidity level?
A true wine cellar must be designed to guarantee an average humidity level of between 50 and 75% at all times.

Is too high a humidity level detrimental to my wine?
First of all, rest assured that this phenomenon has a minimal impact on the wine. The worst that can happen is that the labels peel off. Protective label sprays are available on the market. Please contact S.A.V. if humidity levels remain high.

How long have I had this wine cellar?
Check that the charcoal filter is not too old (> 1 year). If you haven't changed it in 1 year, we invite you to buy a new charcoal filter from your retailer or from www.vinokado.com to replace the old one.

How many readings have been taken? With what type of instrument?
One reading a day is not enough (constant fluctuations), so please take 1 reading every hour on average, for 24 hours.
Check the reliability and accuracy of the hygrometer, preferably using an electronic min/max hygrometer with a remote display. If your cellar is equipped with a hygrometry display, don't hesitate to use it.

What is the thermostat setting? What's the temperature in the cellar?
The higher the temperature, the higher the humidity reading.
Check that the seal is undamaged and that the cellar is hermetically sealed.

Where is my cellar located?
If the cellar is located in a closed room, air the room frequently.
If the cellar is located in an unheated room, at a certain time of year (mainly spring or autumn) your cellar will go into "stand-by" mode, with the green and red lights going out. This is normal, as the ambient temperature is equal to the required temperature of your cellar, and the hygrometry will also follow that of the room. The humidor will activate once there is +/- 2°C difference between the 2 temperatures (ambient and set).

If you have added a bowl of water:
Remove the bowl of water previously placed inside your cellar and wait for the humidity to drop.

Is it normal for the cellar temperature to vary constantly?

Yes, it varies according to the compressor (or winter system) cycles. Slight temperature variations, over short periods of time, can maintain the average temperature of the liquid.

As far as temperature is concerned, the digital display is merely an indicator of the temperature of the ambient air in the tank, not a thermometer for the temperature of the wine in the bottle. It is therefore allowed a tolerance of +/-2°C. Due to the inertial mass of the liquid, the temperature of the liquid varies 10 times less than the temperature of the ambient air.

How can you be sure that the temperature isn't too low?
The most practical solution is to place a submersible thermometer (such as a swimming pool thermometer) in a glass bottle filled with water, to get the exact temperature in the liquid. The reading should be taken after 24 hours of operation. If the difference is significant, contact your S.A.V.. Installation of a recorder is reserved for technicians.

Check the position of the thermostat:
Set the thermostat to a lower cooling demand (see instructions).

The door is not closed properly:
Check that a bottle is not blocking the door closure.
Check that the cellar is properly levelled.
Ice forming inside the cellar: unplug the appliance and allow to defrost (see chapter 1.12 ICE INSIDE THE CELLAR). If the phenomenon persists, contact your S.A.V.

Check the compressor:
Check that it is not running continuously. If so, unplug the cellar and call your S.A.V.

How can you be sure that the temperature isn't too high?
The most practical solution is to place a submersible thermometer (such as a swimming pool thermometer) in a glass bottle filled with water, to obtain the exact temperature in the liquid. The reading should be taken after 24 hours of operation. If the difference is significant, contact your S.A.V.. Installation of a recorder is reserved for technicians.

Check the position of the thermostat:
Set the thermostat to a higher cooling demand (see instructions).

Door not closed properly:
Check that a bottle is not blocking the door closure.
Check that the cellar is properly wedged.

Check the compressor:
Check that it is not running continuously. If this is the case, unplug the cellar and call your service technician S.A.V.

Your wine cellar is regulated mechanically:
Please note that there is a tolerance of +/- 2°C between the desired temperature and the temperature displayed.

Should having the same temperature on all floors be considered a failure?
No, not at temperatures between 10° and 14°C, i.e. with the compressor switched off, or when the winter kit is running, as its resistance, located in the lower part of the appliance, generates a natural convection effect (warm air being lighter than cold air), causing a slight stirring of the interior cavity, momentarily erasing the usual multi-temperature staggering. As soon as the compressor starts to cool, the temperature gradation returns naturally.

Is it normal for the cellar to be totally silent?
Yes, if the cellar is placed in an unheated room, at a certain time of the year (mainly in spring or autumn) your cellar will go into "stand-by" mode and the green and red LEDs will go out. This is normal, as the ambient temperature is equal to the required temperature of your cellar, and the hygrometry will also follow that of the room. The cellar will activate once there is +/- 2°C difference between the 2 temperatures (ambient and set).

If the ambient temperature of the room where the wine cabinet is located is around 12°C (+/- 2°C) and in any case below 12°C. Only the compressor makes noise, and it only produces cold. It is therefore normal in these ambient conditions not to hear it, as the wine cellar has no cooling requirements.

If the ambient temperature falls below 9°C for any length of time, the heating circuit takes over (red/orange indicator lights up - depending on model), with heating provided by a resistor. The unit is therefore totally silent.

There's nothing to worry about when the following symbols appear (depending on the model):
Flashing snowflake symbol = the cellar is requesting cold and will start up soon.
Fixed snowflake symbol = compressor running, so the cellar is making cold.
Fixed heating symbol = the cellar is producing heat because the temperature inside the cellar is too low (usually visible in winter).

What causes unpleasant odors, mold and peeling labels?

Too high humidity (see section 1.2 TOO HIGH HUMIDITY). A saturated carbon filter: change once a year. You can find them at your dealer's or at www.climadiff.com.

Inadequate ventilation. Regular cellar maintenance not carried out periodically. To do this, we recommend that you clean both the interior and exterior (front, sides and top) with a mixture of lukewarm water and mild detergent before first use and on a regular basis. Rinse with clean water and allow to dry completely before reconnecting. Do not use solvents or abrasive agents. Check that your bottles are not in direct contact with the bottom wall of your cellar.

How long have you had this wine cellar?
Check that the charcoal filter is not too old (> 1 year).

Is the drain unblocked?
The drain hole at the bottom of your wine cellar must be unblocked, so that water can drain normally behind the cellar into a plastic container above the compressor. There's no need to empty the back tray, as the heat from the compressor will evaporate the water collected.

Is the unit level?
It's important to tilt your cellar slightly backwards (with your feet under the cellar) to force the water into the drain hole and not into the bottom of your cellar, which can be unpleasant for your wines. If water continues to accumulate at the bottom of the tank, call your S.A.V.

What is the winter system/kit (depending on model) and how does it work?
The winter kit is a frost protection system that allows the cellar to operate in an environment where the temperature is between 0 and 32°C. A sensor on the outside of the unit triggers an electric resistance when the ambient room temperature is between 4 and 8°C, depending on the model. This resistor is low-powered to prevent a sudden rise in temperature and limit the rapid drop in wine temperature, thus avoiding thermal shocks that are detrimental to wine preservation.

The system is preset at the factory: it activates when the internal cellar temperature reaches 9°C. No intervention is possible by the user, except for AVINTAGE™ range models equipped with the INTELITHERM electronic control system (see specific instructions).
Please note that if the ambient temperature is between 8 and 10°C, the winter system will not activate.

The cellar no longer makes any noise:
This is normal, as the winter kit is powered by a silent resistor.

What does the red/orange light mean?
The hot circuit is on, heating is in progress.

What does the red/orange light off mean?
This is normal, the heating circuit is operating intermittently.

How can I be sure that the winter system is working properly?
First of all, make sure that the ambient temperature in the cellar is below 8°C and that it is frost-free.
Check the external and internal temperatures. If the internal temperature is higher, heating is underway: the resistance is low to avoid thermal shock and to bring the internal temperature back to the right level (12° +/-2°).
Avoid opening the door too often, which causes energy loss.

I hear gas flow noises in the tubing. Is this normal?
Normal gas expansion noises, or "gurgling" noises, are characteristic of compression refrigeration appliances and may therefore occur. This is normal.

How often should I change the charcoal filter?
We recommend changing your charcoal filter once a year. You can find them at your dealer's or at www.vinokado.com.

What is the procedure for changing the charcoal filter?
Push it from the inside to the outside or vice versa, depending on factory installation (towards the wider side).
If you have difficulty removing your filter, don't hesitate to tap it a little to loosen it from the insulation.

Which way should I insert it?
Your carbon filter must be inserted according to the factory's initial recommendations. Please note how your filter is installed before removing and replacing it.

Where should I place the lava stones?
They should be spread out along the gutter at the bottom of the compressor step, so as not to block the discharge chute.
Alternatively, they can be placed in a specially designed box.

Do I need to humidify them constantly?
No, only when they are first used, when the winter kit is running (depending on model) and during the driest periods of the year.

How often do I need to change them, and where can I find them?
Generally every 3 or 4 years, when they become brittle and no longer absorb moisture.
They are available from your dealer's S.A.V., or you can find them at www.vinokado.com.

Is there ice on the bottom of the cellar, is this normal?
Frost may form during the cooling period of the cellar. When the compressor stops, the frost melts and droplets remain on the wall. This is normal.
Make sure the door is closed.
Check that the compressor is not running continuously. If this is the case, unplug the cellar and call your service technician S.A.V.

An ice bridge has formed between the bottom wall and the bottles. What should I do?
Leave a space of a few centimetres between the bottles or shelves and the bottom of the cellar.
If a block of ice forms and remains, contact your local sales representative S.A.V.

Is it normal for the compressor in my cellar not to run continuously?
It's perfectly normal for the compressor not to run continuously. The length of the cooling cycle depends on the set temperature and the ambient temperature. It's agreed that a cooling cycle will take longer if the surrounding temperature is much higher than the set temperature, than when there's less difference between the two temperatures. You can have a cooling cycle lasting from 30 minutes to several hours.

Is it normal for the compressor to trip regularly?
The length of the cooling cycle depends on the set temperature and the ambient temperature. Please check the following points before triggering any intervention:
A large number of bottles have been placed in the cellar.
The cellar is opened very frequently.
The door is not properly closed.
The door seal is not watertight.
If you have any doubts, please contact your local sales representative S.A.V.

What to do if you get an error message.
If you get an error message, please contact your dealer or our service department on the Contact page.

You can also visit our partner's website www.interfroidservices.fr where error codes can be entered along with full technical documentation.