Build your own cold store

Placement 

When building a new cold store, it can be placed directly adjacent to the kitchen. Norcool’s D-2000 door can be fitted with a matching kitchen-panel front, allowing the door to blend seamlessly with the surrounding cabinetry.

Interior 

To provide a complete cold-store solution for private homes, Norcool has developed a dedicated interior system. Open shelving is easy to clean, promotes good air circulation, and ensures a more even temperature throughout the room.

Standard interior packages 

We also offer complete interior packages designed for typical household use, making planning and installation simple and efficient.

Building guide – Cold Store 

A properly constructed cold store will deliver economical, reliable operation for many years. Follow the building guide carefully and apply best practices throughout the process. Poor insulation will cause the cooling unit to work harder than necessary, increasing energy consumption and wear.

Size 

Avoid oversizing the room. Very few homes require more than 4,000–5,000 litres of cold-store capacity. Always check the maximum capacity and placement requirements of the selected cooling unit, and read the user manual before construction begins. In general, larger units generate more heat and noise.

Where to place the cold store 

The ideal location is as close to the kitchen as possible. Proper placement is often more important than room size.

All cooling units produce heat during operation — typically an additional 500–800 W, depending on capacity. Position the warm side of the cooling unit toward a room where extra heat can be beneficial. The ambient temperature on the warm side must not exceed 27°C for extended periods, as excessive heat reduces cooling efficiency. Likewise, the temperature should not fall below 10–12°C.

Do not install ventilation inside the cold store itself, and avoid placing it adjacent to very warm areas such as boiler rooms or saunas.

Where to place the cooling unit 

Do not position the warm side of the unit above or near heat sources. Maintain at least 50 cm clearance to the ceiling to allow proper heat discharge. For the most even temperature distribution, install the unit as high as possible on the wall.

Avoid installing the cooling unit on an exterior wall or against an uninsulated garage.

Inside the cold store, cold air is blown directly outward from the unit. Maintain a minimum distance of 100 cm to the opposite wall to prevent cold air from stagnating around the unit. Stagnation may mislead the thermostat and cause the unit to shut off before the room reaches a uniform temperature.

Avoid placing the unit directly opposite the door, as this may lead to condensation on the magnetic door seal.

Vapor barrier 

The purpose of the vapor barrier is to prevent moisture damage and rot. Professionals agree that plastic sheeting installed in the walls, floor, and ceiling provides the best protection.

Moisture always migrates toward the coldest area, and greater temperature differences increase moisture movement. The goal is to direct moisture toward the cold store while preventing it from entering the insulation. This is achieved by placing the vapor barrier on the warm side of the cold store.

The simplest approach is to build a “room within a room.” Install 5 cm spacers evenly on existing walls, ceiling, and floor. Mount plastic sheeting (approximately 0.15 mm thick) to the spacers, ensuring generous overlap and thoroughly taped seams.

Ventilation 

Ventilate the 5 cm air gap between the existing structure and the plastic sheeting into an adjacent room. Ensure good air circulation within this cavity.

Insulation 

Install studs against the plastic sheeting and gently place insulation between them. Use 10 cm A-grade insulation batts; 2 × 4 studs are well suited for this purpose. Do not block the air gap on the warm side of the plastic.

Staple a vapor-open fiberboard to the studs before installing interior cladding in spruce.

Slab-on-grade 

If the cold store is built on an insulated concrete slab-on-grade, a separate floor is not required, provided the slab is free from heat sources and moisture. Ensure thorough sealing at all junctions with the slab.

Interior cladding 

Use spruce for interior cladding, as pine may impart flavour to fresh foods. Avoid materials that emit odours, have diffusion-tight surfaces, or lack moisture resistance.

Maintenance 

For optimal performance and longevity, clean the cooling unit at least twice a year.