• While data center loads tend to be constant 24 hours a day, the loading across the data

center floor can vary significantly. A central system can reduce fan power use and save
energy by taking advantage of this variance. A low-pressure drop design (‘oversized’
ductwork or a generous underfloor) is essential to optimizing energy efficiency and
long-term buildout flexibility.
• Piping for condensate, humidification, chilled or condenser water and/or refrigerant is
reduced or eliminated within the data center envelope.
• Implementation of an airside economizer system is simplified with a central air handler
system. Optimized air management, such as that provided by hot aisle/cold aisle
configurations, is also easily implemented with a ducted central system.
APPROACH
Early in the evolution of data centers, the typical cooling system involved multiple small
air-cooled split systems with small vertical air handlers and independent integrated controls
that stood in the data center room and provided cooling. Such a system was easy to install in
existing buildings that were initially constructed without consideration for the high density
sensible heat loads of modern electronic equipment. Now that the loads and conditioning
requirements of data centers are relatively well understood, purpose-built central air handler
systems can be designed to meet typical data center requirements with greater efficiency than
the traditional multiple distributed units design seen in the figure below.
FIGURE 2
TRADITIONAL MULTIPLE DISTRIBUTED
UNIT AIR HANDLING SYSTEM UTILIZING
COMPUTER ROOM AIR CONDITIONER
(CRAC) UNITS

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