An important aspect of designing or maintaining a successful data center is a dependable HVAC system. Without proper cooling or humidity management, computers, services, and other critical equipment can be damaged. As your data center expands, it’s important to have an HVAC system that can also grow without the need for a significant and expensive redesign.
Schedule HVAC installation services for your data center with the MHC Air Services team. Call us at [phone number] to get started.
Key Factors To Consider When Planning an HVAC System for a Data Center
When selecting an HVAC system for a new data center, there are several aspects that will need careful thought and consideration, such as the system’s capacity, cooling requirements, budget, energy efficiency, power requirements, and more. Below we’ll dive deeper into a few of these factors and why they matter.
Humidity Control
If your center’s humidity is too high, it can lead to condensation, which is destructive to equipment. Conversely, low humidity can cause static, which is also a problem for certain pieces of electrical equipment. For most data centers, you want an HVAC system that can maintain a humidity level of 60%.
Cooling Requirements
The kind of equipment that fills a data center produces a lot of heat. Without adequate heating and proper redundancy, you risk equipment overheating, which is both expensive and dangerous. Ideally, the temperature should be between 64.4 and 80.6 degrees Fahrenheit, with a dew point of 15.8 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit.
Air Quality
The equipment used in data centers can significantly reduce your indoor air quality. The right HVAC system can help you improve and maintain your air quality throughout the center.
Energy Efficiency
Your HVAC system’s energy efficiency plays an important role in maintaining your center’s compliance with efficiency standards. It can also significantly impact your bottom line in terms of energy costs.
Compliance With Standards
The right HVAC system also plays a significant role in ensuring your center’s compliance with regulations such as ASHRAE 90.4, which outlines data centers’ energy efficiency requirements.
Design Strategies for an Efficient Data System Cooling System
Each data center will have specific needs for its cooling system, but most will need to use precision cooling as well as integrated building management and automation. More information on both strategies can be found below.
Precision Cooling
Because many data centers use lots of equipment, including powerful routers, they face a problem with equipment putting out a significant amount of heat. Fortunately, precision or in-row cooling units can be used to combat the heat source directly. Some systems can utilize and circulate cold outdoor air to cool equipment while minimizing the systems’ energy use.
Building Management and Automation Systems
When designing a data center’s HVAC system, it’s also important to consider its integration with the building’s other management and automatic systems. By doing so, you can maximize your center’s energy efficiency, ensure real-time monitoring, predict the system’s maintenance needs based on data reports, and improve your overall sustainability.
Choose MHC Air Services
Family-owned and -operated, MHC Air Services has more than 45 years of experience as an industry leader. Our highly trained, knowledgeable, and NATE-certified technicians can help determine what your data center needs from your HVAC system. We offer competitive pricing and 24/7 emergency services, and your 100% satisfaction is guaranteed.
For commercial HVAC installation services you can trust, call MHC Air Services at [phone number] to get started.