Summer 2016 is officially upon us! We all know that means things are going to start to heat up and fast. Ensuring optimal cooling in a data center not only lowers operational expenditure, but it reduces the strain on equipment cooling mechanisms, extending the lifespan of the hardware; and freeing up power for IT equipment, increasing equipment uptime.
The cooling process accounts for 40 percent of all power consumed by data centers making this a top priority. So, how do today’s modern data centers keep their cool?
Hot-Aisle Containment (HAC) and Cold-Isle Containment (CAC)
Effective containment reduces the power consumption of a data center considerably, as it is able to drop server cooling intake temperatures by 10˚. Additionally, return air temperatures increase 10°, which in turn increases the CRAC cooling capacity by over 50 percent.
The beauty of HAC and CAC? The savings are considerable and immediate. For every 1°F in temperature rise, the gain is 2 percent in cost savings for cooling. Additionally, containment allows data center providers to use the top 15 percent of the rack that is often left unpopulated due to inconsistent air supply temperatures, which results in an immediate savings that can run into the millions.
Energy Efficiency Incentives
States offer incentive programs for environmentally conscious businesses, including data centers. For example, New Jersey offers financial incentives (on top of cost savings resulting from HAC and CAC) to data centers that become New Jersey SmartStart buildings through the New Jersey Clean Energy Program (NJCEP). Often times the state will connect data center operators with consultants and engineers to develop a plan to achieve a balance between environmental responsibility and economic competition. These consultants can make a seemingly daunting task much more manageable by leveraging their extensive experience.
NYI knows a thing or two about keeping its cool having implemented the latest in HAC and CAC technologies in its data centers. Want to ensure your data stays chilled this summer? Click here to learn more about NYI and it’s facilities.
