A centralized air handler system can be used to provide efficient data center cooling.

The
typical approach to a centralized system for a data center is to use a single supply air plenum
fed by a few large air handlers. Depending on the size of the space and frequency of data center
load changes, variable airflow boxes may be used within the distribution system to actively
direct the airflow to the highest load regions. Alternatively, the system may simply be statically
balanced after every major change in load. The figure below shows a centralized air handler
system where the data center distribution system is fed from above.
FIGURE 3
TRADITIONAL MULTIPLE DISTRIBUTED
UNIT AIR HANDLING SYSTEM UTILIZING
COMPUTER ROOM AIR CONDITIONER
(CRAC) UNITS

The distribution system must be designed for low pressure drop in order to maximize energy
savings. Ducts should be sized significantly larger than typical office systems, since 24 hour
operation of the data center increases the value of energy use over time relative to first cost.
Since loads often only change when new servers or racks are added or removed, a static
balance approach can be quite effective due to the constant, 24 hour nature of most loads.
The distribution system may be either underfloor or a traditional overhead ducted
configuration – in determining the load carrying capacity, proper air management is
usually more important than the supply configuration (see Air Management chapter).
This concept utilizes a smaller number of large premium efficiency motors, fans, and Variable
Frequency Drives (VFDs) rather than many smaller motors and fans. Central air handlers
should be much larger than the units used in a conventional multiple-distributed system 19
using CRAC units. Larger fans and motors improve in efficiency as they are scaled up; for