Clever use of lighting could lower data centre expenditure
Clever use of lighting could lower data centre expenditure
With so much to consider regarding server usage and cooling, other aspects of energy efficiency can often be forgotten at data centres as the load they are required to bear continues to grow.
Lighting, for example, can be largely ignored, despite the fact that there are some simple ways to improve its efficiency levels. Indeed, just by switching to energy efficient lighting that is integrated with building performance and energy management systems, a centre's power usage effectiveness can be improved by as much as 25 per cent.
However, a recent article in the Data Center Journal notes that only intelligent lighting systems are capable of delivering this kind of energy efficiency. Networked light-emitting diodes – or LEDs – are ideal in this case and provide an efficient source of lighting that not only uses less energy than traditional light bulbs, but also improves the quality of that light thanks to the fact that they mimic the spectrum of natural daylight and steer clear of the green undertones found in fluorescents.
Their energy efficiency, meanwhile, means that they last for around 50,000 hours, which is almost four times as long as their common fluorescent counterparts. Not only does this lower savings in terms of replacement, but it will also reduce the cost of maintenance and energy use.
Returning to the issue of data centre cooling, the journal highlights the fact that LEDs create such a limited amount of heat that it can be easily conducted away from the data centre without impact on the server area temperature.
Reducing the operating costs of data centres is becoming an increasingly important matter as more and more businesses realise the value of storing data offsite so long as they can maintain fast and secure access to their applications and information through the use of a leased line.
hSo provides managed networks designed for business. To get an instant cost for a leased line at your location, visit our online leased line price checker.
