Watch what you load your data center with and watch how you channel air through it and you will end up with energy effectiveness.

Energy costs associated with operating a data center have been skyrocketing in the past 9 years. The costs involved in powering a computer or server room has zoomed up by 500 %. This power is used primarily for holding servers, operating them and cooling them. Yet, most companies waste up to 60 % of this precious, expensive energy. The Uptime Institute was founded in 1993 and provides thought leadership for the data center industry. In their research they conclude that not only do companies waste 60% of this energy but also this wastage is due to airflow losses or bypass airflow.

One of the main sources for excessive energy usage and ergo waste is the power used by data centers to cool equipment. Most centers use too much power to cool too little equipment.

A data center does not only depend on expert staff and good computing servers and machineries, but also depends on a great extent to the accessories such as cooling equipment, back up power and so forth. Obviously the importance of the former is not undermined by the latter, yet it would be wrong to say that one can handle a data center without paying much attention to the back up power systems and cooling equipments. This would simply reduce the availability of the data center which is a big loss not only to the particular data center but also to the clients and consumers. 

To maintain a continuous and quality power supply is crucial for the development of any business today. Power generators are an essential part of the infrastructure of a data center. Ensuring uninterrupted power supply requires a heavy investment. The effects of not making this investment are detrimental to the business and sustained growth. In the case of a data center, interrupted power supply means loss of  business in terms of money, data and credibility. A data center cannot perform to its optimum without a reliable and continuous source of power and a backup generator can provide that peace of mind. A cost effective solution and not the only one available of course is to investigate a refurbished generator similar to those offered by Cummins. 

Imagine a water source a big as the oceans to help cool your data center. That dream is a possibility and is being showcased at Mauritus Eco-Park project located on the tiny island of Mauritius off the east coast of Madagascar.

Every data center today should be conducting various types of measurements to determine the efficiency of your infrastructure equipment. For instance, an electrical inspection should be conducted with infrared scanning among other tests to ensure that electrical connections and equipment is not overheating thus wasting energy.

Do your copper HVAC coils smell? Not a question that you would begin a conversation with, but if you are a HVAC contractor or a facilities manager then you have an idea to where that question is leading. Copper piping and components for HVAC equipment can be a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi that are related to foul odors along with energy efficiency issues. Why…because HVAC units provide the perfect conditions for breeding; dark and moist.

If you operate or own a data center (new or old) you may have experienced the need to roll in a spot cooler. For those who are not familiar a spot cooler is a portable air conditioning unit that helps to supplement or temporarily replace an existing air conditioning unit.