Free cooling is the general description given to cooling systems which do not require mechanical or refrigeration-based technology and instead use the outside ambient as the cooling source.
There are three methods of free cooling – airside, waterside and evaporative cooling – each relies heavily on outdoor environmental conditions as the efficiency of these systems varies based on local temperature, humidity, and air quality.
Here are a few of the benefits/features:
Free cooling leverages the external ambient temperature to dissipate heat in cooling IT equipment within a data centre without relying on mechanical or refrigeration-based technology as the cooling source.
Free cooling maintains an optimal temperature within the data centre without relying solely on energy-intensive air conditioning units. It uses outdoor conditions such as cold air, cold water, or evaporative cooling.
Free cooling also has the potential to provide extremely low PUE values in combination with higher resilience, lower maintenance and overall lower total cost of ownership compared to more mechanical-based traditional systems.
Free cooling can significantly lower power consumption by reducing or eliminating the need for compressors in traditional cooling systems. Less energy use translates into lower operational costs.
In addition, by decreasing the reliance on mechanical cooling it also reduces carbon emissions and energy waste.
Contact one of our data centre experts to learn more about Free Cooling or to discuss how we can provide consultancy and support for your facility.
Award-winning compressor free data centres with annualised TTY pPUE values of <1.03 through the use of both indirect and direct solutions
Vendor neutral, best technology methodology
Hybrid options to provide in-direct free air cooling with integrated DX backup
