AirContain Hot Aisle
Optimizing for Hot Aisle Containment
While hot aisle containment is incredibly effective, it performs best under certain site conditions. If your data center meets the following criteria, you are ideally suited for maximum efficiency and significant energy savings:
Unobstructed Return Air: You have a drop ceiling return plenum that is at least 24′′ high and clear of obstructions.
Top Return Units: Your CRAC/CRAH units have top return configurations with vertical extensions leading to the drop ceiling.
Variable Speed Fans: Your cooling units are equipped with variable speed fans (VSDs) for dynamic control.
Fully Sealed Cabinets: Your server cabinets are fully sealed using blanking panels, floor covers, and are installed with no gaps between them.
Meeting these conditions can lead to massive efficiency gains and energy savings—it’s not unrealistic to reduce cooling costs.
No Ideal Site? No Problem.
Even if your site doesn't have these ideal conditions, it won't prevent you from implementing an effective containment solution. AirContain specializes in adapting solutions to diverse environments.
Contact one of our experienced Project Managers today for a free site assessment to discuss your specific conditions and our professional installation process.
AirContain Systems: How We Deliver Massive Energy Savings
Effective containment is the foundation of efficient data center cooling. This increased control allows the data center manager to accurately choose the temperature supplied directly to the servers.
The Problem of Over-Cooling
The ASHRAE 9.9 standard recommends a maximum server air intake temperature of 80.6∘F (27∘C) for mission-critical applications. Without containment, most Computer Room Air Conditioning (CRAC) units must be set as low as 55∘F (13∘C). Even with this extreme setting, the air is only around 60∘F (16∘C) by the time it reaches the cold aisle. This over-cooling is necessary solely to counteract the hot exhaust air spilling back into the cold aisle.
Achieve Optimal CRAC Set Points
By implementing an Air Contain hot or cold aisle containment solution, you can drastically adjust the CRAC set points much higher. A common rule of thumb is that for every 1-degree increase in the set point, there is a 3-4% decrease in cooling costs.
Based on this principle, here is a conservative example of the potential cost savings:
Metric Details Annual Cooling Costs $350,000 Set Point Increase10∘F Estimated Savings (30%)$105,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is air containment?
Air containment separates hot and cold air in data centers for improved cooling efficiency and reduced energy costs.
How do your systems work?
Our systems utilize custom-engineered solutions to optimize airflow, ensuring maximum thermal efficiency in server environments.
What services do you offer?
We provide design, fabrication, installation, and ongoing service for hot and cold aisle containment systems tailored to your needs.
Are your solutions scalable?
Yes, our systems are built for scalability, allowing for future expansion as your data center needs grow and expand.
What are custom enclosures?
Custom enclosures are precision-fit panels designed to optimize airflow around your server racks for enhanced cooling.
How do you ensure compliance?
Our solutions comply with modern data center standards, ensuring optimal performance and energy efficiency in your facility.