The ability to isolate, redirect and recycle hot exhaust air has revolutionized the idea of “free cooling” within the data center. And California is one of first states to recognize that.
A 2013 update of the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 24, Part 6 of the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards, requires that:
“Computer rooms with air-cooled computers in racks and with a design load exceeding 175 kW/room shall include air barriers such that there is no significant air path for computer discharge air to recirculate back to computer inlets without passing through a cooling system.”
Data centers used to be exempt from Title 24, but this is all changing this year. In simple terms, this update requires new data centers in the state to have some form of containment as an energy-saving measure. Existing data centers are excluded from the containment requirement, although California’s utility PG&E has been offering incentives to data centers that retrofit containment.
Could this be an industrywide trend? Dennis VanLith, CPI’s director of global product management says so.
“Reducing data center energy consumption through the use of containment or ducted exhaust reduces the amount cooling capacity required. The reduction of greenhouse gases from less electrical power generation will benefit everyone. California once again leads the nation in helping to protect the environment, and these efficiencies will likely be embraced globally.”
CPI has a number of hot and cold aisle containment solutions. With built-in flexibility and high-quality engineering, Aisle Containment Solutions by CPI are an excellent choice saving energy use in the data center, as the infographic shows.
Our solutions are available in four standard configurations, each offering a unique and versatile approach to addressing your most pressing data center cooling needs:
• Build to Spec Kit Hot Aisle Containment (HAC)
• Cabinet Supported Hot Aisle Containment (HAC)
• Frame Supported Hot Aisle Containment (HAC)
• Cabinet Supported Cold Aisle Containment (CAC)
The Title 24 addresses energy efficiency in new and altered homes and commercial buildings. The set of energy standards has saved Californians more than $66 billion in energy consumption for nearly 35 years.