Welcome to Keep Your Cool - a series tackling simple cooling optimization strategies for the busy data center operators

Efficiency is everything when it comes to running a data center. While long-term projects and infrastructure upgrades are important, immediate improvements can often deliver significant results with minimal disruption. Here are five quick wins you can implement right now to boost your cooling efficiency and reduce costs.

1. Optimize Airflow with Strategic Blanking Panels

Why it works:
Open rack spaces allow hot air from server exhausts to mix with the cold air supplied to your IT equipment. This reduces cooling efficiency and forces your cooling systems, like CRAC (Computer Room Air Conditioning) units, to work harder. Installing blanking panels blocks these gaps, ensuring a consistent separation between hot and cold aisles, which significantly enhances cooling performance.

How to implement:
Walk through your data center and identify any gaps in your server racks. Install blanking panels in these open spaces to direct airflow more efficiently. This simple step can immediately reduce the workload on your cooling systems, leading to energy savings and lower operational costs.

2. Raise Temperature Set Points Gradually

Why it works:
Many modern servers and IT equipment can operate at higher temperatures than in the past. By raising your data center's temperature set points—within ASHRAE's recommended guidelines—you can reduce cooling energy consumption without risking equipment health or reliability. Even a small increase can lead to substantial energy savings.

How to implement:
Begin by raising the temperature set point by 1°F and carefully monitor the impact on your equipment’s performance. Use your BMS (Building Management System) or temporary thermal sensors - like the AUDIT-BUDDY— to track the environmental conditions. If your system remains stable, continue making small, gradual increases. The key is to ensure that changes don't disrupt operations while you gain energy efficiency.

3. Clean and Maintain Cooling Units Regularly

Why it works:
Over time, cooling units like CRAC or CRAH (Computer Room Air Handler) systems accumulate dust and debris, particularly on filters and cooling fins. This buildup reduces airflow and cooling capacity, forcing the system to work harder to maintain desired temperatures. Regular maintenance ensures optimal cooling performance and energy efficiency.

How to implement:
Establish a routine maintenance schedule that includes cleaning air filters and inspecting cooling fins. Depending on your environment, filters should be cleaned or replaced every 1-3 months. Regular upkeep ensures that your cooling equipment operates at peak efficiency, which can translate to immediate energy savings and improved reliability.

4. Adjust Floor Tiles for Better Air Distribution

Why it works:
Improper placement of perforated floor tiles can lead to uneven airflow distribution, causing hot spots in certain areas while overcooling others. Optimizing the placement of these tiles helps direct cool air where it's needed most, improving overall airflow efficiency.

How to implement:
Assess your data center’s hot and cold aisles and ensure perforated tiles are placed strategically in front of racks to direct airflow. Consider closing unnecessary perforated tiles in less critical areas to focus cooling resources where they are most effective. Small adjustments in airflow distribution can reduce the load on your cooling systems.

5. Monitor Temperature Sensors in Real Time

Why it works:
Real-time environmental monitoring helps you stay on top of changing conditions in your data center. By placing temperature sensors throughout your facility—especially in high-density areas—you can identify hotspots early and make necessary adjustments before they impact performance.

How to implement:
Install or activate temperature sensors at key points in your data center, including the inlet and exhaust of server racks. Systems like DCIM (Data Center Infrastructure Management) software or portable sensors from Purkay Labs can help monitor these readings in real time. This data allows you to make proactive cooling adjustments, improving both efficiency and uptime.

Conclusion

These quick wins provide immediate cooling efficiency improvements without the need for major system overhauls. By optimizing airflow, adjusting temperature set points, maintaining equipment, and monitoring conditions in real time, you can reduce energy consumption and operating costs while maintaining data center reliability. Implementing these strategies today sets the stage for more sustainable, long-term operations.

About Purkay Labs:

Purkay Labs specializes in real-time environmental monitoring solutions designed to help data centers optimize their cooling efficiency and airflow management. Our portable, Wi-Fi-enabled sensors, called the AUDIT-BUDDY, provide instant, accurate temperature readings at multiple heights and critical points throughout your facility. With Purkay Labs, data center operators can make informed decisions to reduce energy consumption, prevent hotspots, and ensure equipment reliability. Whether you’re looking to improve your cooling strategy or monitor conditions in real time, Purkay Labs provides the tools you need for efficient, sustainable operations.