Powering Progress, Precisely: How HVAC Coatings Help Data Centers Conquer Energy Consumption

For data center facility managers and HVAC professionals, the relentless demand for processing power translates directly into a critical challenge: energy consumption. Data centers are the backbone of our digital world, but their operational footprint, particularly in terms of power usage, is rapidly expanding. The good news? There are effective, cost-efficient solutions to significantly improve energy efficiency within your existing and new HVAC infrastructure through specialized coating applications.

The Data Center Energy Imperative

The numbers speak for themselves. According to the 2024 Report on U.S. Data Center Energy Use, published by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), data centers consumed an estimated 176 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2023, representing a substantial 4.4% of total U.S. electricity consumption. Projections indicate that this demand could soar to between 325 TWh and 580 TWh by 2028, representing up to 12% of total U.S. electricity demand. A significant portion of this energy, approximately 38%, is dedicated to cooling systems, vital for maintaining optimal operating temperatures for sensitive IT equipment.

This escalating energy demand not only impacts operational budgets but also carries a substantial environmental burden, with a large percentage of electricity still sourced from fossil fuels. As responsible stewards of these critical facilities, finding ways to reduce energy consumption is paramount.

The Unsung Hero: Your HVAC System

While attention often focuses on IT hardware, the HVAC system is a primary driver of a data center's overall energy footprint. Over time, even the most robust HVAC equipment can lose efficiency due to corrosion, fouling, and general wear. This leads to increased run times, higher utility bills, and accelerated equipment degradation. Replacing entire HVAC units is a costly and disruptive undertaking, often infeasible for facilities that operate 24/7.

A Smarter Solution: Advanced HVAC Coating Installations from Energy Performance Solutions

At Energy Performance Solutions (EPS), we understand the unique challenges faced by data center professionals. That's why we specialize in the professional installation of advanced HVAC coatings, CoilSafe, CoilSafe Plus, and ThermalBlock, designed to provide tangible, long-term energy savings and extend the life of your valuable equipment, whether it's brand new or has years of service under its belt. These solutions offer a lower-cost alternative to full equipment replacement, delivering a rapid return on investment.

Here's how these coating applications can help your data center achieve peak energy efficiency:

• CoilSafe: Restoring and Protecting Your Heat Exchanger Coils - HVAC coils are the heart of your cooling system and are responsible for transferring heat. Over time, corrosion and fouling can significantly reduce their efficiency, forcing your system to work harder. CoilSafe is a thin-film inorganic coating, when professionally applied by EPS, that penetrates deeply into the coil's structure, molecularly bonding to every crack and crevice. It effectively re-tightens the critical bond between the fin shoulder and copper tubing, restoring energy transfer and helping your HVAC system run closer to its original factory efficiency.

  • Benefits: Up to 10% improvement in HVAC efficiency, significant reduction in hourly kilowatt usage, extended coil life, and protection against corrosion. The installed CoilSafe coating is ultra-thin (8-10 microns), ensuring no impedance to airflow or heat transfer.

• CoilSafe Plus: Enhanced Protection with Antimicrobial Power - For environments where indoor air quality (IAQ) and microbial control are critical, CoilSafe Plus takes the benefits of CoilSafe a step further. This advanced antimicrobial siloxane coating incorporates an added silver ion agent, actively combating microbial buildup on evaporator coil surfaces. When applied by EPS, this not only protects your coils from damaging biological growth but also contributes to a healthier operating environment.

  • Benefits: All the advantages of CoilSafe, plus proven antimicrobial and antiviral properties (tested against bacteria and viruses, including SARS-CoV-2), make it ideal for high-moisture or high-traffic areas within your data center. It keeps coils clean, efficient, and protected in the long term.

• ThermalBlock: Defending Against Solar Heat Load For rooftop-mounted HVAC units, exposed ductwork, and even facility roofs, solar heat gain can significantly increase the thermal load on your cooling systems. ThermalBlock is a unique thermal radiant barrier that EPS applies to the exterior cabinets of HVAC systems and other exposed surfaces. It acts as a powerful shield, rejecting up to 95% of solar heat. By maintaining lower, more stable internal cabinet temperatures, the installed ThermalBlock significantly reduces the workload on your HVAC units.

  • Benefits: Dramatically reduces unit runtime, especially during peak demand hours, resulting in substantial energy savings and lower utility bills. It extends the lifespan of your equipment by minimizing thermal stress and provides a "one-and-done" solution for long-term protection.

A Solution-Focused Approach for a Sustainable Future

The increasing energy demands of data centers require proactive and intelligent solutions. By leveraging EPS's professional installation of advanced HVAC coatings – CoilSafe, CoilSafe Plus, and ThermalBlock – into your maintenance and upgrade strategies, you can achieve significant energy savings, extend the life of your equipment, and contribute to a more sustainable future for your data center operations. These coatings are not just a protective layer; they are an investment in efficiency, longevity, and a lower operational cost.

Contact EPS today to discover how our innovative coating solutions can help your data center enhance its energy efficiency and stay ahead in the digital age.

Citation:

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. (2024). 2024 Report on U.S. Data Center Energy Use. U.S. Department of Energy. https://eta.lbl.gov/publications/2024-lbnl-data-center-energy-usage-report