Cooling for data centres and server rooms

It is considered best practice to keep your server rooms between 19°C and 21°C at all times to protect your equipment from overheating.

While the financial impact of downtime will depend on the scale of your operations, IT outages are estimated to cost as much as €8,000 per minute or €4.5 million an hour. Coupled with the added financial penalty of a fine due to unexpected shutdowns or data loss, it is clear why server room air cooling is an essential investment for any operator.

Free cooling is a method of lowering the temperature inside a building by using nothing other than the cool air outside. As a result, this approach is more economical to operate long-term, but less precise and versatile than other options.

Displacement free cooling uses the same underlying principle to manage heat as standard free cooling, but supplies cool air to the bottom of a room at low speed. These force warm air up, creating a cushion of low-temperature air for electronic devices to safely operate. The displaced heat can then be extracted with a damper.

Conversely, traditional air-conditioning systems use compressors and refrigerants to create temperature drops inside. This makes them highly precise and suitable for any climate, but costlier to run over a prolonged period.

This depends on the size and location of your data centre. If your facility is located in a climate that stays cool all year round, free cooling or displacement free cooling may be most appropriate. If the outside conditions are significantly hotter, traditional air-conditioning solutions might be better.

However, if your server rooms are positioned in a more temperate climate where some seasons are hot and some are cold, a dual cooling strategy could be ideal. By using free coolers and A/C units in tandem, air-con can be used only when needed, producing ideal conditions in the most energy-saving way possible.

For more information about implementing free coolers, air-con units or dual cooling strategies in your facilities, get in touch with our specialists.

Yes, our wide range of cool air systems are some of the most energy-efficient on the market.

Combining decades of expertise, high-quality components and a steadfast commitment to European engineering, the solutions we supply enable data centre operators to keep equipment cool in any scenario, all while minimising long-term running costs.

Aside from implementing energy-saving temperature control, there are several other steps you can take to minimise operational costs:

• Switch to a hot aisle/cold aisle layout in your facilities

• Use panels to prevent cold air from mixing with hot exhaust air

• Install cooling units closer to or directly in server racks

• Optimise the humidity around your sensitive electronics

When heat generation outpaces your ability to cool, the data centres you operate can overheat. This:

• Increases the chances of hardware crashes and failures

• Reduces the lifespan of your equipment

• Throttles the performance of your IT systems

• Corrupts or entirely erases data

• Raises the risk of fires within your facilities

These problems can all lead to breakdowns that bring your services to a halt. To improve the long-term condition and continuity of your infrastructure, get in touch with our experts for tailored cooling solutions.

Most often, yes. While free coolers can be deployed on their own if outdoor conditions are suitably cool, it is still common to see A/C units used as redundant cooling systems even in colder regions.

We don’t make our free cooling and air-conditioning systems available to purchase online to ensure that every system we design, manufacture and supply fits your exact requirements. By taking a consultative approach with a highly-trained expert, we make sure that you are only recommended equipment that meets your needs – and fulfils these in the most efficient, cost-effective way possible.

Across all of our products, VAT-registered companies can get a quote very quickly by pressing 'I want to buy' and inserting your enquiry and contact details.

This varies on a case-by-case basis. For some standard products, accessories and consumables, we can provide day-to-day delivery. For larger orders or more bespoke temperature control solutions, there may be a longer lead time.

By reaching out to our experts we can put you in touch with your nearest local supplier so you can receive the products you require in the most timely manner possible.

No. Dantherm Group’s air cooling units are sold only to industry professionals directly from our offices, or via our extensive network of distributors.

With offices, servicing partners and spare parts suppliers distributed across Europe, we can rapidly respond to any request or issue involving your products. You can learn more about our servicing and spare parts services on our website.

Our professionals are also happy to advise on the most effective way to set up and operate your equipment, so you always get the maximum performance and value from your products.