Data centers are the core of virtually all businesses. They’re vital, but they can also be energy hogs.
The beating heart of the data center could consume about half of the energy costs that a business will pay on an annual basis. Because of this, companies are looking for ways to efficiently save on costs without compromising the quality of the operations of the data centers. One way is to consider a Lithium ion UPS system from N1 Critical Technologies.
Lithium ion batteries have a faster recharge rate, so they use less energy.
In addition, there are other cost-saving things that you can do in order to be more power-efficient in your data centers.
Here are a few of them:
Monitor and Track Your Actual Consumption of Power
One of the most important things to do each month is to get a detailed and accurate assessment of power consumption. Take note of equipment that consumes a lot of power and at what time it is consuming the most power.
This way, you can identify which equipment is inefficiently consuming huge power. These are called “zombie servers” and the sooner that you can identify them, the sooner you can fix them.
Manage the Variables Present in the Environment
The cost of energy inside a data center or server room may not only dictated by the server equipment itself. There are other external factors and variables too. For example, the ventilation and air circulation of the room where the servers are placed.
If there are spots in the room that are too hot or cold, it could add up to the operational costs. It is important to monitor the temperature of the environment of your data centers so the equipment is running in optimal conditions. Anything beyond the suggested temperature level will cause the equipment to work harder (EG: server cooling fans faster) and they could have a huge impact on your monthly energy expenses.
Make Sure the Infrastructure is Protected
Take steps to avoid any hazards that can potentially damage equipment. When you invest in data servers, make sure you to plan for security and protection against hazards including water, smoke, and even earthquake vibrations.
Consider installing interconnected sensors that can be triggered when there are possible physical threats, such as those listed above. This way, you can act on them immediately and ensure that the infrastructure is not damaged and potentially avoid costly repairs.
Take Advantage of Remote Management
Technology today has become more advanced and interconnected thanks to the web and cloud computing. It is possible to manage data centers and ancillary equipment (such as HVAC and environmental sensors) even if you or your staff is not inside the facility. This is practical and can actually increase the productivity of your IT staff. It can also reduce travel cost and time.
Moreover, when a sensors are triggered and immediate action needs to be taken, you can remotely control the situation and do the necessary measures to ensure safety, such as add cooling to a room or shut down equipment.
Following the steps above will help improve the productivity of your business as a whole and it could be a help in minimizing the operational cost of the data center.
