Simple Airflow Adjustments Lead to Reducing OpEx
Summary
In April 2014, a budget constrained Hospital hired Electronic Environments Corporations (EEC) to develop a strategy reduce energy costs without significant capital investment. EEC used the AUDIT-BUDDY™ system to baseline the Data Center environment. EEC used the output readings to detect problem areas and make simple adjustments, such as a changes to perforated tiles and containment curtains, to reduce temperatures in a particularly dense aisle in the data center. Ultimately, the Hospital was able to save an estimated $3400 in the first year.
Highlights
Client
Hospital
Tier 2 Facility
Facility
Location: Boston, MA
Room: 2,000 ft² Raised Floor
Cabinets: 100 Cabinets
Load: 600 kW
Cooling: 900kW
Electricity Cost: 14.91 ¢/kWh
Project Goals:
Budget-Constrained Hospital wanted to find ways to cut electricity cost without significant capital investment
Tools:
Results:
Used AUDIT-BUDDY™ system to baseline 100 racks within 3 hours
Uncovered several hot spots, and other areas of concern
Used data to make simple adjustments, such as perforated tile changes and adding containment curtains to reduce temperatures in a particularly dense aisle
ROI:
Estimated savings of $3400 a year
Introduction
In April 2014, a budget constrained Hospital hired Electronic Environments Corporations (EEC) to develop a strategy to save on energy costs without a significant capital expenses. EEC used the AUDIT-BUDDY system to baseline the Data center environment and used the output reading to detect problem areas and make simple adjustments, such as a changes to perforated tiles and containment curtains, to reduce temperatures in a particularly dense aisle in the data center. Ultimately, the Hospital was able to save an estimated $3400 in the first year.
The Project
QuickScan Baseline
Time-Trend Graph Detail
Greg Dumas, the EEC Construction Operations Manager, used AUDIT-BUDDY’s QuickScan mode to take 20 seconds measurements at each of the 100 cabinets in the facility. This process took approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. Dumas then used the accompanying AUDIT-BUDDY software to create a Thermal Contour Map of a particularly dense aisle. Dumas found that there was both a hot spot in the top left corner of the Aisle, and a significant amount of overcooling. The Aisle had a number of open perforated tiles to the right of the aisle, which Dumas switched to the left side of the aisle, where the hot spot is. Dumas then added curtains to reduce temperatures.
Conclusion
EEC was able to quickly take baseline temperature and humidity readings of well over 100 racks in less than a couple of hours. This saved EEC time to get accurate readings, compared to the alternative methods and tools they had used in the past. Moreover, EEC was able to use the data to effortlessly diagnose problems and determine the most advantageous methods to improve airflow management. These changes allowed the Hospital to reduce CFM and ultimately save $3400 in the first year without making any significant investments or changes to the Data Center environment.
Key Take-Aways
Save Time & Money
EEC was able to quickly take baseline readings for 100 cabinets in less than 3 hours. This saved EEC time to get accurate readings, compared to the alternative methods and tools they had used in the past.
Get Actionable Data
EEC was able to collect data and quickly pin point problem areas so they could make simple adjustments, such as changing perforated tiles and adding curtains.
Save Money
The healthcare facility did not have to invest in a new CRAC unit or other costly systems. They made simple adjustments to the white space, and were able to safely increase temperature.
You can read more about EEC’s account of using Purkay Labs here.