An energy efficient server room can noticeably decrease cooling costs. The layout and size of a server room, as well as the type of cooling equipment used, can play a role in mounting costs. No matter what it takes, it’s important to maintain optimal server room temperatures to prevent equipment from overheating or sparking a fire. So, how do you accomplish that without breaking the bank?
There are two things you can do to help decrease server room cooling costs: reconsider the layout of the space, and switch to a portable AC if you’re currently relying on central AC.
1. Reconsider the layout of server room
The dimensions, shape, and layout of a server room can drastically impact cooling costs. The goal is to have a room that naturally dispels heat—even without the use of spot coolers or AC units. Of course, once all your heavy-duty equipment is running, it’ll be too hot to rely on nature alone, but it can help and therefore reduce your cooling costs.
Small vs. large server rooms
While a larger room might provoke visions of higher energy costs, the opposite is often true. In a small space, heat has nowhere to go so it builds and builds. Especially when a tiny room is packed with the high performing servers that are commonplace today. High capacity servers generate even more heat than servers of the past.
A larger room allows for greater air flow, giving heat a chance to dissipate. So, while you might be able to shove all your servers into one small room, it might not be the most efficient use of space—despite how it appears at quick glance.
The layout of your server room matters too
It’s not just the size of your server room, the layout plays an important role in cooling costs as well. If servers are packed one on top of the other, you’re creating an environment where more heat has a chance to build up around equipment. Heat dispelled by one server simply floats up and makes the neighboring server warmer.
Maintain a good distance between each server so heat has a chance to escape and dissipate. No matter how much space you are working with, separate servers throughout the room so they have plenty of space to breathe.
Employ quality server racks to keep server equipment organized and well separated. Additionally, limit the number of servers you keep in each room.
2. Use portable AC units to cool server rooms instead of central AC
A good central air conditioning system can keep server rooms at optimal temperatures. But, in keeping the server room cool, the rest of the building might be rather chilly. Your server room is not going to maintain the same temperatures as the rest of the building because of all the heat it produces. This creates a problem for a central unit trying to cool off an entire building or floor, as opposed to just the server room.
Server rooms naturally have higher cooling requirements, and there’s no need to apply these standards to your entire office. It costs more money to cool an entire building than it does one room. It’s more cost effective to cool server rooms separately using a portable spot cooler—save the central AC for the humans.
Rent spot coolers as needed
Florida summers are very hot, but temperatures are milder throughout other parts of the year. Reduce your equipment costs by renting spot coolers as needed, or seasonally.
At Cooling Power, we offer great deals on a wide variety of cooling solutions, including portable spot coolers for rent and sale. Rent from us and never worry about maintenance or repairs—we take care of it all so you can focus on what’s most important: running a successful business.