Are You Overcooling Your Data Center? Use This Checklist to Verify
Do Your Cold Aisles Look Like This? You might be overcooling.
One of the primary concerns of Data Center Managers is to maintain optimal temperatures to ensure server reliability and availability. While keeping the inlet air temperature within the recommended ASHRAE range of 15°C (59°F) to 32°C (89.6°F, many data center managers tend to keep their data centers at the lower end of the recommended range, resulting in overcooling. Overcooling not only wastes energy but also increases costs, which can have an impact on both financial and environmental aspects. (You can read more about overcooling in last week’s post here)
This checklist serves as an initial guide to help you identify if your data center is overcooled and how correct it.
Measure Temperature & Humidity- Collect temperature and humidity data at three different heights across your aisles for a more accurate understanding of temperature distribution and potential hot spots.
Cross Check Your Data to ASHRAE Recommendations- Does your inlet temperature meet the ASHRAE-recommended range for your type of Data Center?
Create a Thermal Map - Sometimes data tables don’t cut it. If you use software, like the AUDIT-MATE program, to generate a Static Heat Map you can quickly “see” the temp, humidity and dew point distribution across your servers. You want this to be as even (fewer colors) as possible.
Check Your CRAC/CRAH/HVAC Systems- Is your supply air temp the same as the temps entering your servers? If not, is it too hot or cold?
Calculate your Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) to see if it is higher than expected.
Create a Cooling Plan- Review your data center's cooling strategy and determine if adjustments can be made to optimize energy efficiency while still maintaining adequate cooling.
Train Your Techs- Train your data center technicians to understand the importance of airflow management and how to identify opportunities for improvement.
Overcooling is a common issue in data centers, but it's not impossible to avoid it. By using this checklist, you can identify if your data center is overcooled and take steps to optimize its temperature and airflow management. An easy way to check if you're overcooling is to use an AUDIT-BUDDY system, which can help you collect and visualize the thermal data of your data center. Remember, optimizing your data center's temperature management not only saves energy and reduces costs but also improves the reliability and lifespan of your equipment.
About Purkay Labs
We believe that Data Center Operators deserve quick, reliable and independent data about their white space environment, without the burden of complicated permanent monitoring systems. We create simple, standalone, and cost-effective portable environmental monitoring systems so you can get data wherever and whenever you need it. Our flagship product- the AUDIT-BUDDY system- is the first multi-height portable environmental monitor that provides data to help manage your airflow, reduce Scope II emissions, increase energy efficiency & cooling optimization.
You can follow us @purkaylabs or visit our website: www.purkaylabs.com