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Can Raising Data Center Temperatures Save Companies Money?
By Monica Gleberman Contributing Writer
Many big players in the technology industry are raising the thermostats in their data center, claiming that the equipment can not only handle the increase in temperature but will also save hundreds of thousands of dollars in energy costs throughout the year.
After numerous reports and suggestions, Intel and Korean mobile carrier KT (News - Alert) have announced that they too plan to follow suit and will increase their data centers, that typically run anywhere between 64 degrees to 70 degrees, to a much higher average.
Jeffrey Burt, writer for Eweek, reported that multiple companies have increased the temperature of their data center and have seen no equipment malfunctions. “Google, Facebook (News - Alert), Apple, and Microsoft are all letting the temperatures in their data centers rise,” said Burt. “For example, Facebook officials last year said they planned to run a new facility in North Carolina at 80 to 85 degrees, and Intel (News 
- Alert) has been testing new technologies at a data center in New Mexico that runs at an average temperature of 92 degrees.”
Although reports are showing that the temperature increase doesn’t have any major effects as of right now, some companies are still hesitant to increase any of the temperatures in their data centers. According to a report in the Korea Times on Aug. 21, Intel and KT plan to launch a high-temperature test center in a data center located in Seoul. Burt reported that the plan is to move all of the technologies to all 10 of KT’s data center by 2013.
During a press conference, KT officials said working with Intel would have major effects for all companies and sub-companies involved. “The cooperation between KT and Intel is to secure a foundation in building a green-energy data center that can save costs and electricity consumption for the rising number of facilities,” said Song Jung-hee, senior executive vice president of KT’s services.
Although the savings can vary depending on the increase in temperature and the equipment – one report showed that Microsoft (News - Alert) who raised the cooling set point only a few degrees higher were able to save over $250,000 in annual energy costs. HP also saw a large savings in expenditures by saving nearly $8 million annual.
Adjusting the temperature for a data center might be something companies should begin looking into to help save costs.
Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO West 2012, taking place Oct. 2-5, in Austin, TX. Stay in touch with everything happening at ITEXPO (News - Alert). Follow us on Twitter.
Edited by Rachel Ramsey
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