Top Energy-Saving Tips for Setting up your Co-Location Data Center (ENERGY STAR flyer, 2023)

Overview

The flyer gives tenants five practical recommendations. First, buy ENERGY STAR IT hardware: a certified server with power management enabled uses on average almost 40% less energy than a non-certified one, and avoiding an unneeded server could save over $8,500. Certification also exists for data storage and for UPSs.

Second, maximise temperature and humidity set points. Going below the optimum level costs the HVAC more energy, while exceeding it puts more burden on IT equipment and likely shortens its life. The flyer states that ASHRAE and IT manufacturers have updated their recommendation so that equipment can safely run up to 80-81 F and 50% humidity without longevity or uptime concerns.

Third, airflow: blanking panels, floor tiles, gap fillers and server ducting reduce cooling needs, and proper airflow management can save up to 15% of energy use in IT alone. Network cables and rack layout must not obstruct airflow, illustrated with good and bad cabling photographs. Last, hot-aisle/cold-aisle layouts are described as one of the most proven ways to save energy in a data centre.

Key points

1. An ENERGY STAR certified server with power management enabled uses on average almost 40% less energy than a non-certified product.
2. Avoiding an unneeded server can save over $8,500.
3. ASHRAE and IT manufacturers allow operation up to 80-81 F and 50% humidity without longevity or uptime concerns.
4. Proper airflow management can save up to 15% of energy use in IT alone.
5. Blanking panels, floor tiles, gap fillers and server ducting reduce the cooling needed.
6. Cabling and rack layout must not impede airflow; poor cabling can shorten hardware life.
7. Hot-aisle/cold-aisle layout is presented as one of the most proven energy-saving methods.

Using it in design

• Make a blanking-panel and gap-filler check a required step in colocation cage and rack layouts, and flag unused rack units.
• Orient racks to the hot-aisle/cold-aisle alignment and verify equipment airflow direction.
• Test set-point suggestions within ASHRAE and manufacturer limits, using the flyer's 80-81 F and 50% humidity reference.
• Plan cable routes so they do not block airflow.

Who should read it

IT teams renting colocation space and facility managers who guide those tenants on layout.

Document contents

1. Buy ENERGY STAR IT Hardware
2. Maximize Temperature and Humidity Set Points
3. Mind the Gaps!
4. Keep Things Free and Clear
5. Separate Hot and Cold

Related standards

• ASHRAE Thermal Guidelines for Data Processing Environments

Read the document

Publication details

Authors

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Publisher

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (ENERGY STAR)

Year

2023

Document language

English

Source type

Government / public

Access

Open licence — downloadable

Licence

U.S. public domain — U.S. Government work; free to reuse

Licence evidence

www.copyright.gov

Citation