Reigning in energy costs starts with understanding hot aisle containment options that are focused on reducing energy costs without cutting back on protection. When you consider that the average cost of AC is about $23,000 per year for an average-sized server room and that greenhouse gas to the tune of 243 tons is generated you can see why energy efficiency should be a priority.
What can you do to reduce the cost of data center containment and reduce your carbon footprint? That is the million-dollar question. You can start with evaluating your current system and learning more about hot aisle containment solutions that address the energy issue.
What You Need to Know About Solutions and Energy Efficiency
Unfortunately there is no magic wand that is going to help to reduce energy costs in either the hot aisle containment or cold aisle containment environment but there are steps that you can take that will help to make your system more efficient.
Industry experts may not agree which system is best but they do all agree that not having a system is not an option and there is an additional caveat. Improperly implemented solutions are just as bad as not having a solution in place.
There are some specific do’s and don’ts when setting up your hot aisle containment that you should follow to ensure you get the height of energy efficiency. Following these simple do’s and don’ts will ensure that you are doing your part to reduce the energy that it takes to keep your IT equipment safe.
Here are Your Do’s
Getting the most out of hot aisle containment solutions requires that you do your part! Here are some do’s to help you get started on the road to curbing energy consumption:
- Take advantage of the existing architecture and let it work to your advantage
- Measure your IT load accurately
- Do audit system requirements frequently
- Do create a baseline so that you can measure success
- Do adjust the set points overtime after observations
- Enlist the help of a trusted expert
Taking a few steps can help move your data center containment in the right energy-efficient direction. Other do’s include using the right server rack sizes. Electronic cabinet designs can play a vital role in the efficiency of the containment solution.
Now The Don’ts
The don’ts of hot aisle containment options are:
- Do not hermetically seal your aisle
- Do not force a containment system on a structure that is not adequate for that type of system
- Don’t assume a containment system is ideal for your space based on the systems that work in other spaces even when they are similar. It is always best to do your evaluation of needs.
The bottom line is you need to do your homework when it comes to hot aisle containment options and how they can reduce your energy consumption. One of the best ways to do that is to contact an expert in the field that can help you find the best solution.