Save Money at Your Data Centre With These 2 HVAC Adjustments
- By websitebuilder
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- 13 Mar, 2018
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While the nature of heat production in a data centre means that HVAC will always be a big part of your budget, something many centre managers don't know is that a few simple adjustments to your cooling strategy could cut those costs dramatically.
Here are two ways to improve your HVAC system's energy efficiency, reduce electricity consumption and cut your costs.
1. Improve the Room's Air Flow
One of the best ways to reduce energy consumption in your data centre is to improve the air flow in your server rooms. In fact, experts say better air flow can provide energy savings of up to 30 percent. There are many ways to achieve better flow, so it's a good idea to explore all your possibilities, even if you think you've already got a good grip on air flow management.
Hot and cold aisles are highly effective at improving air flow, but many centres still aren't taking advantage of this strategy. The hot and cold aisle layout is created by arranging racks so the inlet sides of the servers are face-to-face and the fronts and backs of cabinets are never turned toward each other.
Closing off your cabinets in this layout separates cold supply air and hot return air, preventing them from mixing and driving up your cooling requirements. If you use this layout, you can further improve your air flow by using perforated flooring tiles only in the cold aisles to reduce your chances of cold air bypassing your equipment and getting waste.
Addressing air flow in your cabinets can also have a big impact. Install blanking panels in your cabinets' empty slots to reduce the costly recirculation of hot air, and use air restrictors in the cable cut-outs for additional air bypass reduction.
2. Perform Preventative Maintenance
Unsurprisingly, another major cause of energy inefficiency is running an HVAC system with parts that are broken, worn-out or dirty. Many facility managers choose to leave maintenance until the last minute when parts are already broken, believing it will save them money. However, some faults and failures can go unnoticed for a long time, driving up energy costs by wasting power and putting excess pressure on the rest of your system.
That's why preventative maintenance is the best maintenance. Your cooling system has many components that all need to be operating at maximum efficiency to bring energy consumption down. For example, clogged air filters can reduce air flow and increase fan loads, so they need to be replaced regularly. The compressor oil must be also checked for leaks, as improper oil levels can affect the unit's ability to function.
Ideally, you should have your HVAC system inspected several times a year. It may seem like an unnecessary expense at first, but preventative maintenance will save you a lot more money than you spend on it. Your maintenance company will also be able to assess your facility as it grows, advising you on when to install more cooling units to prevent your existing system overworking itself and using too much energy.
Remember that increasing energy efficiency in your data centre isn't just about saving money on utilities. In 2013, Australian data centres consumed over 7 billion kWh of electricity, accounting for a whopping 3.9 percent of Australia's national consumption. Much of this usage could have been reduced with better energy efficiency strategy, and the environmental impact of continued overuse could lead to data rationing laws in the future.
If you're ready to cut costs at your centre and protect the future of the data sector, contact Cool Air Conditioning Pty Ltd about AC design services, preventative maintenance or unit installation.
