Record temperatures across the United States and beyond are putting a strain on power grids and consumer spending on air conditioning is expected to soar.
In data centers, where cooling efficiency and operating costs have a direct impact on the bottom line, spending on electricity—and cooling—must be carefully addressed. As you work to optimize your data center efficiency and operations, consider these three tips to help you elevate your airflow management strategy and minimize cooling costs.
1. Fully equip your cabinets to prevent bypass airflow
Ensure your data center cabinet has seamless integration with airflow and thermal management accessories that provide effective conditioned/exhaust air separation and maximum equipment cooling. Thermal management accessories for data center cabinets are the low hanging fruit in an airflow management strategy. Consider:
- to block airflow through open rack-mount spaces and keep the hot air at the back of the cabinet.
- to block airflow around the sides and top of the equipment mounting space so cold air passes through equipment and hot air does not recirculate around equipment.
- to allow cables to enter the side of the cabinet while containing exhaust air within each cabinet.
- to conceal openings in the equipment mounting rails to block airflow around the equipment.
- to seal the space between the bottom of the cabinet and the floor when leveling feet or casters are in use, and are ideal for aisle containment applications.
PRO TIP: CPI’s can be configured with a variety of standard thermal management accessories.
2. Ensure your hot/cold aisles are fully contained
As you consider a , it’s important to understand the differences, challenges and advantages of different containment systems so you can determine the best option for your data center’s specific requirements. In the meantime, consider the following solutions:
- The is a field-fabricated duct that is used over a contained hot aisle as part of a closed hot air return. This solution integrates with perimeter cooling, provides immediate improved cooling efficiency and is compatible with economization methods. It is ideal for retrofit applications over a mix of cabinets, including cabinets of varying heights, widths and depths.
- , a patented cabinet-level solution, are attached to cabinets, and channel the hot exhaust air out of the cabinet and up into the drop ceiling, segregating the hot air out of the room, and ducting it back passively into the CRAC units.
- slide open and automatically close behind you. The patented door seal design minimizes airflow leakage and maximizes energy savings.
3. Consider the color of your cabinet
While aesthetics may play a role in the design of your data center, the color of your cabinet can have a direct impact on both functionality and operating efficiency. Choosing the right color offers more than just a visually appealing environment—it provides tangible benefits that enhance your data center's performance.
For instance, white cabinets are highly reflective, helping to brighten narrow equipment rows, while providing better visibility and reducing the need for additional lighting. Using the CPI allowed to use lower wattage lights while still meeting the minimum standards for lighting and made cabling and installation easier.
Benefits of Choosing Reflective Cabinet Colors:
- Improved Visibility in Narrow Rows: White cabinets reflect light to brighten narrow aisles, reducing the need for additional lighting and making maintenance and troubleshooting easier.
- Reduced Energy Costs: Reflective surfaces minimize the need for extra lighting, cutting energy costs while improving visibility.
For data centers prioritizing a more traditional appearance, black or dark-colored cabinets may still be suitable but may require additional lighting to achieve the same level of visibility.
Get Free Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis from CPI
To help you understand the before and after conditions of airflow through your data center cabinet, Chatsworth Products (CPI) offers free analysis to its customers. CFD uses numerical analysis and data structures to provide visual guidance on the best containment solution and the extent needed for each application and can help justify design changes to your planned or legacy data center.
As part of this service, you'll have access to a panel of onsite consultants, field application engineers and technical experts who provide a rigorous checklist of your installation's existing and planned airflow, equipment placement, and take into account the following factors:
- Shape and size of your data center
- Raised floor and ceiling heights
- Location and type of CRAC units
- Location and open area perforated tiles, cut-outs and under-floor obstructions
