What are the best HVAC design practices for data centers?

2 Airflow management

Another important aspect of data center HVAC design is to ensure proper airflow distribution and circulation throughout the facility. Airflow management involves controlling the direction, speed, and volume of air that moves in and out of the data center, as well as preventing air leakage and recirculation. Airflow management can improve the cooling efficiency, reduce the risk of hot spots and overheating, and enhance the air quality and comfort. Some of the best practices for airflow management are to use perforated tiles, blanking panels, and raised floors, to seal gaps and openings, and to monitor and adjust the airflow parameters.

3 Humidity control

A third key component of data center HVAC design is to maintain the optimal humidity level for the servers and equipment. Humidity refers to the amount of moisture in the air, which can affect the electrical conductivity, corrosion, and static discharge of the data center components. Humidity control involves adding or removing moisture from the air to keep it within a certain range, usually between 40% and 60% relative humidity. Some of the best practices for humidity control are to use humidifiers and dehumidifiers, to measure and record the humidity level, and to avoid rapid changes in humidity.

5 Reliability and redundancy

A fifth crucial element of data center HVAC design is to ensure the reliability and redundancy of the HVAC systems. Reliability and redundancy refer to the ability of the HVAC systems to operate continuously and consistently, without failures or interruptions, and to have backup or alternative options in case of emergencies or disasters. Reliability and redundancy can affect the availability and uptime of the data center, as well as the security and safety of the data and equipment. Some of the best practices for reliability and redundancy are to use modular and scalable HVAC systems, to have multiple power sources and cooling loops, and to test and maintain the HVAC systems regularly.

6 Innovation and trends

A sixth and final aspect of data center HVAC design is to keep up with the innovation and trends in the industry. Innovation and trends refer to the new and emerging technologies, methods, and standards that can improve the HVAC design and operation of data centers, as well as the challenges and opportunities that they present. Innovation and trends can influence the future direction and development of data center facilities engineering. Some of the current and potential innovation and trends are to use artificial intelligence and machine learning, to adopt liquid immersion cooling and phase change cooling, and to explore edge computing and green data centers.