The term “wine cooler” is often used interchangeably with “wine refrigerator”. Sometimes “wine cooler” is used to describe a smaller appliance used to chill wine to serving temperature over a short period of time. A wine refrigerator will have precise temperature control (usually not as cold as a home fridge) as well as humidity controls to keep corks from drying out.

A wine refrigerator should give you reliable service for 10 to 15 years. Like any appliance, its lifespan will be affected by how it’s used and how well it’s maintained.

Wine refrigerators plug into regular outlets like many other appliances. However, having more than one large appliance on the same circuit may overload it and trip the breaker.

Wine refrigerators usually use less electricity than an average household fridge/freezer combination. They are often smaller than regular fridges and they maintain one constant temperature, which is more efficient than several temperature zones.

Some popular brands of wine refrigerators are Marvel, Liebherr, Sub Zero and Whirlpool. You’ll find these and many more at Coast Appliances.