As we gravitate toward a more technologically advanced world, companies are becoming more and more data-driven and data-reliant in order to operate their business on the internet. This means that data centers have to feature servers that run at high-speed and by an uninterrupted power supply to provide an efficient and reliable network all at once, which can result in the servers becoming overheated. In such cases, this is where liquid cooling comes in as part of the various data center solutions available.

As the name suggests, liquid cooling, otherwise known as (Chilled) water cooling, uses water to reduce heat and lower the temperature in electronic and mechanical equipment. This cooling method has been around for many years and is widely used for a number of devices, such as automobiles and computers, to name a few. Servers housed in a data center are no exception as well, as liquid cooling enjoys a good reputation for being effective in both cost and efficiency.

Since it is already an open secret that liquid cooling is much preferred and performs better than its counterparts, we would like to add that this cooling method can also help to reduce a business’ operational expenses in the long run. Listed below are reasons why.

ASHRAE TC 9.9 defines different liquid cooling classifications for Data Centers based on facility water temperature available for cooling. The colder facility water would require higher upfront capital for the required cooling in terms of equipment and operating cost of the chiller, cooling tower, etc. The warmer facility water would help alleviate the concerns of upfront capital on primary side cooling, but it leads to other important factors to consider, such as IT equipment, maximum temperature, and the approach temperature you have to live with. If approach temperature is constant and the IT equipment can run at elevated temperatures, then CDU thermal capacity remains the same across the DC facility water temperature range.

1. More efficient

The most significant advantage of liquid cooling is that it does not require as many resources to cool down the server compared to other cooling methods. To sum it up in a few words, liquid cooling does more for less, which benefits not only the business, but also the environment as there are less wastage and pollution. For the latter, this is an important factor to consider for businesses looking to be more sustainable and environmentally conscious in their day-to-day operations.

Liquid cooling also prevents businesses from losing hundreds of thousands of dollars each year in their utility bills by decreasing the overall electricity consumption. Unlike air cooling, which requires huge power for the fans to function, liquid cooling simply immerses the servers in a water bath to cool down the heat. It is also worth noting that it has been scientifically proven that liquids can absorb heat at a faster rate and transport heat more efficiently.

2. Suitable for warmer climates

If your business is based in warmer climates, such as in Singapore, liquid cooling is a more suitable cooling method as it does not pose a high risk in the workplace. Heated devices coming into contact with hot and humid weather is already potentially dangerous, and if warm air is blown from an air cooling system, it will be a recipe for disaster as the warm air exacerbates the heat, which eventually defeats the purpose. As such, in order to enforce safety measures to prevent the business from suffering further costs, it is advised to turn to liquid cooling instead. Do note that this does not mean that firms in colder climates cannot benefit from liquid cooling as well.

3. Higher return on investment

Cooling systems tend to be expensive, so they are widely considered an investment for any type of business. This applies to the majority of equipment. As a business spends money on a device, the device has to help the business run hassle-free and more efficiently to recoup the costs and increase the profit margin.

While liquid cooling can come at a comparatively high cost, the business can look forward to recovering their losses at a quicker rate, due to the many benefits of liquid cooling. This directly results in a high return on investment, meaning the business gains more than what they have lost.

4. Takes up less space

Last but not least, liquid cooling does not require a huge physical space to operate. Liquid cooling systems are structured with tubs of circulating coolant, which is in stark contrast to traditional air cooling systems, which come in a metal box and need a large area to accommodate the fans, air conditioners, and large generators. If the data center infrastructure does not provide sufficient space to include the air cooling systems, the business has to be burdened with additional expenses to expand the space.

Conclusion

All things considered, it is rather predictable that more firms in Singapore are turning to liquid cooling to cool down and improve the performance of their servers. As their benefits are well-known, it is safe to say that the demand for liquid cooling will only grow from here on as the world becomes more technologically connected and renewable energy is increasingly prioritised.

At Bentec Digital Solutions, we offer a range of data center infrastructure solutions, which include liquid cooling systems. From our Hybrid Liquid Cooling System to our Rear Door Cooler that uses an air-to-liquid heat exchanger, our cooling systems are not only highly effective, but also ensure high performance and a straightforward operation process. Other services we provide include setting up a reliable learning management system in Singapore and various digital solutions in Singapore.