Wine Cellars - Forbes Refrigeration & HVAC

What Temperature Should You Set Your Thermostat & Wine Room At?

Written by Kevin on January 27, 2025. Posted in Wine Cellars, HVAC. No Comments on What Temperature Should You Set Your Thermostat & Wine Room At?

Managing your thermostat settings in Scottsdale’s extreme desert climate can be tricky. Hot summers and cooler winter nights make it easy to overwork your HVAC system, especially when big temperature changes strain your equipment.

As a trusted HVAC service provider in the Valley of the Sun, we want to help you find the right balance between comfort, energy savings, and protecting your system. Here’s what you need to know to set the perfect temperature for your home.

Best Temperature Settings for Scottsdale Summers

Scottsdale summers are hot – often over 110 degrees – and it’s tempting to set your air conditioner really low after your home heats up. But big changes like this can overwork your system, driving up energy costs and leading to breakdowns.

For summer comfort and savings:

When you’re home: Set your thermostat between 78-80 degrees.
When you’re away: Keep it no lower than 82-83 degrees to save energy.
At night: Lower it slightly to 75-77 degrees for better sleep.

If your home gets too hot during the day, avoid dropping the thermostat too low to cool it quickly. This forces your AC to work harder and could damage the system. Instead, aim for gradual adjustments.

Winter Thermostat Tips for Scottsdale Homes

While Scottsdale winters are mild, temperatures can still dip into the 30s at night. Just like in summer, keeping your thermostat steady will help your heating system last longer.

For winter:

During the day: Set your thermostat to 68 degrees for comfort/efficiency.
At night: Lower it to 65 degrees to save energy while sleeping.
When you’re away: Don’t turn the heat off completely – keep it within 8 degrees of your usual setting to prevent your system from working too hard when you’re back.

Why Avoid Big Temperature Changes?

One of the most common mistakes homeowners make is letting their home get too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter, then setting the thermostat way lower or higher to compensate. This puts a lot of stress on your HVAC system, leading to:

Higher energy bills: Running your system harder means more electricity.
Risk of breakdowns: Overworked components are more likely to fail.
Shorter equipment life: Systems wear out faster under constant strain.

Stick to consistent, moderate settings to avoid these issues and keep your system running smoothly.

Now is the perfect time to prepare for the new HVAC system changes which took effect January 1, 2025. With new refrigerants like R-454B, we’re here to guide you through the transition to new technology, more efficiency and environmentally-friendly options. Click here to learn more.

Make It Easy With a Smart Thermostat

A smart thermostat takes the guesswork out of managing your home’s temperature*, automatically adjusting settings based on your daily schedule and even factoring in local weather conditions. These devices ensure energy-efficient comfort by maintaining consistent temperatures during the day, lowering them slightly at night for better sleep, and raising or lowering them when you’re away to save energy.

With the added convenience of remote control through your phone, you can make adjustments on the go to protect your HVAC system from unnecessary strain.

*For larger or luxury homes, managing multiple zones or specialized spaces like wine rooms can be complex. Our team is experienced in tailoring HVAC solutions for esteemed clients with resort-style estates, ensuring comfort and precision for every area of your home.

Protect Your Wine Collection with Smart Thermostat Monitoring

For homeowners with wine rooms, a smart thermostat is more than just a convenience — it’s a safeguard for your collection. Specialized smart thermostats can monitor the precise temperature and humidity levels in your wine room, sending alerts to your smartphone if conditions deviate from the optimal range. This is especially crucial for those who travel frequently or own multiple homes that may be vacant for extended periods.

By catching potential issues early, these systems protect your wine and your investment, ensuring your collection is preserved in ideal storage conditions year-round.

Your Desert Comfort Experts at Forbes Refrigeration & HVAC

Managing your thermostat doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right settings and some help from Forbes, you can keep your home comfortable while saving energy and protecting your HVAC system.

At Forbes Refrigeration & HVAC, we pride ourselves on integrity and professionalism, offering honest assessments and expert service you can count on. Whether it’s a second opinion or a full system installation, we’ll always put your needs first.

Don’t wait for issues to arise – schedule your annual HVAC maintenance today. Preventative care not only protects your equipment but also ensures your home stays comfortable year-round. Call or text (480) 266-5211 to schedule.

Calling all Real Estate Agents! We’re your trusted partner for HVAC inspections and specialized wine room consultations. Call us to learn how we can help you close deals faster while ensuring your clients’ homes are perfectly equipped for the Valley’s climate.

Sip and Store! How To Best Preserve Your Wine Collection in Scottsdale’s Dry Climate

Written by Kevin on September 25, 2024. Posted in Wine Cellars. No Comments on Sip and Store! How To Best Preserve Your Wine Collection in Scottsdale’s Dry Climate

Storing wine can be tricky even in places with mild climates, but here in Scottsdale’s dry desert heat, it becomes an even bigger challenge.

But don’t worry – we’ve got you covered.

Let’s walk through everything you need to know to protect and preserve your wine collection, ensuring each bottle stays in perfect condition.

How Scottsdale’s Dry Climate Affects Wine Storage

Scottsdale’s scorching summers and low humidity pose unique challenges for proper wine storage. The intense heat can accelerate the aging process, while the dry air can cause corks to shrink or crack, allowing unwanted air into the bottle.

The result? Oxidation and spoilage.

Even a small amount of oxidation can ruin your wine’s flavor, turning a prized bottle into a disappointment.

The Ideal Temperature and Humidity for Wine Storage in Scottsdale, AZ

Now that you understand how the climate in Scottsdale can impact your wine, let’s explore the best ways to preserve your collection.

Temperature Control

The key to proper wine storage is maintaining a consistent temperature between 44°F and 55°F.

The ideal temperature will depend on the type of wine you have – white wines should be kept at the cooler end of the range, while reds can handle the higher end.

With Scottsdale’s weather often reaching double those numbers, a specialized wine storage system is essential to prevent oxidation and preserve your wine’s quality.

PRO TIP: Proper HVAC temperature & maintenance helps your wine room refrigeration maintain the perfect temperature without overworking itself. For example, if you’re a part-time homeowner or away on vacation and turn off your AC/set it above 85°F to save energy, your wine room refrigeration will have to work harder to compensate for the increased heat.

Humidity Management

Scottsdale’s dry desert air also means little to no moisture, which can dry out corks and lead to spoilage.

To counteract this, your wine storage system should maintain humidity levels between 60% and 80% to prevent corks from cracking and ensure your bottles stay airtight.

Wine Cellar or Wine Cooler: Which Is Right For You?

If you’re serious about preserving your wine collection, investing in a proper storage system is crucial. The two main options are wine cellars and wine coolers – but which one is the best fit for you?

If you have an extensive collection or plan to age your wine long-term, a professionally-designed, temperature-controlled wine room is the way to go. It provides the precise control needed to protect your investment and ensure optimal aging conditions.

While wine coolers can be a great option for casual, more small collections, they may not offer the protection or space needed for serious enthusiasts. If you’re considering a wine cooler, it’s important to understand that for larger collections and more precise control, a dedicated wine room is the better choice.

Protect Your Wine From Light and Vibration

In addition to temperature and humidity, light and vibration are other concerns of note when it comes to wine storage.

To shield your wine from harmful light exposure, store it in a dark environment or opt for a UV-resistant wine cooler to block out damaging rays.

As for vibration, which can disturb the aging process, it’s important to store your wine in a stable, vibration-free location – away from foot (or vehicular) traffic – to ensure your bottles remain undisturbed and in peak condition.

Don’t underestimate choosing the right professional, either! At Forbes, we specialize in not only HVAC but true refrigeration. Many believe these cooling methods are the same; however, they are quite different specializations, even demanding different equipment than what may be used to cool a small room such as a home office or garage.

Allow us to properly calculate the heat load for all materials that affect the climate conditions in your wine room and utilize refrigeration equipment that is built specifically for wine storage.

Unlike standard HVAC companies, we have the expertise needed to protect your collection and ensure optimal wine preservation.

PRO TIP: Frequent access to your wine room or adding large selections – especially for holiday parties or gifts – can cause temperature fluctuations. Monitor your system closely during these times to maintain ideal conditions.

Best Practices for Long-Term Preservation

Preserving your wine for the long haul involves more than just stashing bottles away – it requires special attention to storage conditions and organization.

To keep your bottles safe, be sure to:

Always keep bottles on their sides
Minimize vibrations and UV exposure
Maintain consistent temperature and humidity levels
Regularly check on and gently rotate your collection
Ensure air circulation throughout your storage system

PRO TIP: We highly encourage homeowners to install a smart Wi-Fi thermostat with alerts to notify you – or us – if your wine room temperatures deviate from the desired range. This allows for immediate action to protect your collection.

FINAL PRO TIP: Don’t overlook annual maintenance! Regular inspections help identify potential issues before they become costly problems, ensuring your system maintains the precise temperature and humidity needed to protect your wine collection year-round.

Need Expert Help Preserving Your Wine Collection?

Your wine collection is valuable, and improper storage can quickly diminish both its flavor and worth.

At Forbes Refrigeration & HVAC, we specialize in wine room refrigeration, creating the perfect environment for your collection. Let us help you safeguard your wines from Scottsdale’s challenging climate.

Call or text us today at (480) 266-5211 to schedule a consultation and discover how our custom wine cellars can protect and elevate your collection!