As we pack more and more technology – computers, servers, etc. – into these rooms every day, data center managers are tasked with the difficult challenge of protecting the organization’s IT investment and preventing costly downtime, while also dealing with increased energy use and the need to reduce operational expenses. And one of the largest expenses associated with data centers is cooling. About 40% of all power used by data centers is to remove heat.
Improving Data Center Cooling
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Arrangement: Most IT equipment is designed with on-board fans with an intake (cold) side and an exhaust (hot) side. Arranging equipment in racks so that the intakes in one row are oriented the same way, and the intakes of two rows face each other. This creates cold aisles and hot aisles.
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Isolation: By isolating cold aisles with curtains, cool air is inhibited from mixing with the surrounding warm air.
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Air Balance: To maximize efficiency it is important to match the airflow if the equipment in one cold aisle to the diffusers supplies that aisle.
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Blank Panels: Blank panels close the gaps between hot and cold aisles, helping cooling get to where it needs to go. Otherwise, these unrestricted openings provide an opportunity for the bypass of cooling air and the recirculation of warm air.
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Congestion: Cables, piping, and random debris can restrict airflow and reduce cooling efficiency.
How do you Know is your Data Center is Efficient?
The measurements have been temperature, humidity and estimating the amount of IT energy on average per square foot the data center uses. Now, measurements need to look at other measurements because of the increase in density and energy use by data center equipment.
The following measures of data center efficiency can help:
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Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE): PUE is total energy use divided by IT equipment energy use.
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Data Center Infrastructure Efficiency (DCIE): The DCIE is the reciprocal of PUE: IT equipment energy use divided by total energy use. DCIE is reported as a percentage.
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Return Temperature Index (RTI): RTI measures bypass or recirculation air.
Data Center Cooling and Maintenance
A well-defined maintenance program will not only help improve efficiency and reduce costs, but also ensure IT equipment is cooled properly. A trained technician will be able to evaluate your current cooling system and data center and develop strategies to improve performance. Preventive maintenance is often disregarded – however it is well worth the cost to invest in a monthly, quarterly or semi-annual maintenance program that includes both inspection and service.
Crockett Facilities Services, Inc. (CFSI) is ready to help you with your mission-critical data center cooling needs. Our Liebert, Emerson and Stulz factory-certified technicians are experts in preventive maintenance services for computer room air conditioners (CRACs), servicing clients such as NASA, NOAA, and the Department of Defense. Our technicians can set-up, maintain, and optimize your data center cooling systems, even in the most challenging scenarios.
To learn more about Data Center Cooling and CRAC Preventive Maintenance Service Contracts, please contact Crockett Facilities Services (CFSI) at 202.600.2787 or sales@crockett-facilities.com. We’re in this Building Together!
For more information on data center cooling, you can also read our previous blog posts:
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Protect Your Data Center with Preventive Maintenance for Computer Room Air Conditioners
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Liebert Factory Trained Technicians Maximize Reliability in Data Centers
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Sources:
Column: Evolving Strategies and Metrics for Data Center Cooling, FacilitiesNet.com