Making Your Data Center Energy Efficient ─ How to Save Big on Data Center Energy Costs

Detailing powerful methods for reducing the energy costs associated with operating a data center, Making Your Data Center Energy Efficient examines both equipment and building facilities. It reviews the rationale for conserving energy and demonstrates how conservation and careful equipment selection can lead to significant improvements to your bottom line. For those not well-versed in financial or energy terms, the first two chapters provide a detailed discussion of the terms associated with different types of energy, as well as how to compute the return on investment for energy conservation efforts.

The text includes tables of monthly expenses associated with operating equipment that will help you convert problems into simple table lookup processes. Among the money-saving topics discussed, it considers:

How to minimize the energy consumption of a wide range of devices
A little-understood topic that can make a big impact on energy costs—general heating and cooling
Techniques required to effectively monitor different types of meters
Phantom energy usage and methods for minimizing its cost to your organization


Recognizing that most readers may not have direct control over the selection of a furnace or hot water heater, the book provides you with the ability to recognize the efficiencies and inefficiencies of various types of devices, so you can provide input into the decision-making process. From replacing lighting to consolidation and virtualization, it provides you with the well-rounded understanding needed to properly manage all aspects of the energy consumed in your data center.

Gilbert Held is currently with 4 Degrees Consulting.

Rationale for Energy Conservation and Its Financial Implications The Cost of Energy Energy and Power Units of Power BTUs and Horsepower Comparing Energy Oil, Gas, and Electric Costs The Cost of Oil The Cost of Natural Gas The Cost of Electricity Financial Metrics The Return on Investment (ROI) ROI Analysis What Is Time Value? Future Value Basics Future Value Interest Factors Present Value Basics Annuities Payment Frequency Types of Annuities Determining the Future Value of an Ordinary Annuity Present Value of an Annuity Considering Monthly Cash Flows Annuity Due Annuity Notations Payback Period Discounted Cash Flow Weighted Average Cost of Capital Internal Rate of Return Computing the IRR Using Excel NPV Functions in Excel ROI Functions in Excel IRR SummarySummary

Understanding Electrical Terms Understanding Electricity Atoms and Electrons Electric Generators Turbines Circuit Measurements Circuits Electrical Power Direct Current versus Alternating Current Direct Current (DC) The Power Supply Power Supply Types Operation Phase Power Rating Meters to Consider AC Measurements to Consider RMS Power Factor (PF) Importance of the Power Factor Ground Electricity Distribution The Power Plant Transformers Types of Transformers Transformer Wiring Service Methods Single Phase versus Three Phase The Service Panel Types of Service Panels Operation Inside the Service Panel Building Service Panel Circuits Types of Circuits Individual Circuits Plugs and Sockets Office Plugs and Sockets UPS Standby Generators Selecting a Generator

General Heating and Cooling ConsiderationsClimate Control Systems VentilationHeating Systems Forced-Air Systems Boilers Rating/Capacity Radiant Heating Systems Heat Pumps SEER and HSPF Ratings Types of Heat Pumps Hybrid Heat Pump Solar-Assisted Heat Pump Dual Fuel Heat Pump Air-Source Heat Pump Geothermal Heat Pumps Electric Resistance Heating Types of Electric Resistance Heaters Radiators Steam Heating Hot Water Radiators Hot Water Heaters Types of Water Heaters Conventional Tank Storage Water Heaters Tankless Water Heaters Indirect Water Heaters Cooling Systems Central Air Conditioners Types of Central Air Conditioners Sizing Cost Comparison Other Features to Consider Heat Pump Cooling Chillers Use in Air-Conditioning Types of Chillers Classification Factors to Consider Rapid Restart Capability Operating Multiple Chillers Checking the Refrigerant Line Optimize Cooling during Cold Weather Examine Ductworks Examining Air Filters Heating and Cooling Items to Consider Considering the Long Term

Reading and Understanding Your Electric, Gas, and Water Meters The Electric Meter Electric Meter Categories Examining the Electric Meter Reading an Electric Meter Load Meters Recording Data Operation Digital "Smart" Meters Smart Meters and the Smart Grid Reading the Smart Meter Display Smart Meter Problems Standards Possible Causes of Billing Inaccuracies Why Rates Matter The Natural Gas Meter Types of Gas Meters Meter Reading Estimating the Monthly Gas Bill The Water Meter Locate Your Meter Water Bills Abnormalities in the Water Bill Smart Water Meters

Data Center Equipment Energy Consumption Operational Modes to Consider Power Loads Commonsense Items to Consider Obtain Smart Power Strips Check Cell Phone Charger Ratings Unplug Rarely Used Devices Ensure Monitors Are Turned Off When Not Used Turn Off or Place Computers in a Standby Mode Favor Energy Star Equipment General Cost Computations Device Consumption Varying the Cost per kWh Servers Computer Memory Rack Pack Considerations Communications Equipment Cisco 3750 Series Cisco StackPower and EnergyWise Technology Other Techniques to Reduce Energy Consumption Fan Speed Considerations Rack Placement and Cooling Considerations Available CalculatorsMinimizing Computer Energy Consumption Sleep Mode Considerations Power Options Accessing Power Options Editing a Power Plan CPU States Advanced Settings Processor Power Management Display Multimedia Settings Computer Power Efficiency Accessing the Command Prompt Examining an Energy Report Wake-on-LAN Enabling Wake-on-LAN in Windows Wake-on-LAN Capabilities Limitations Wireless Network Use Delivery Confirmation Security Issues Specific Computer Linkage
Making Your Data Center Energy Efficient Techniques to Consider Finding Energy Loss Replacing Monitors Waiting Area Display Upgrading the Operating System Purchase Energy Star Compliant ProductsConsolidation and Virtualization Telework Consider Cloud Computing Consider Desktop and Server Power Management Products Consider Processor Efficiency Consider Data Storage Consolidation Examine IT Hardware Utilization Consider Higher Voltage Power Distribution Utilize Wireless Humidity and Temperature Transmitters Minimize Phantom Energy Loss Use Energy-Efficient Motors Examine Airflow Reduce Air Handler Operations When Not Necessary Controlling the Power Factor Use Caulking and Weather-Stripping to Block Air Leaks Consider a Chargeback Policy That Includes Energy Cost Consider Increases in Electricity Cost Water Considerations Examine Water Heater Settings Examine Water Usage Replacing Lighting Lumens Watts as a Measurement Tool Lumens per Watt and Lux Determining Watt Dissipation Luminous Energy Illuminance Lighting Efficiency Color Temperature Representative Lighting Color Temperature Comparing Lighting Building Management Areas to Consider Consider Adding Insulation How Insulation Works Types of Insulation Rating Insulation Changing the Building Roof Color Use Reusable Filters Consider Electric Vehicles

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