Safe Server Room Cooling: Choosing The Right Portable Air Conditioner For Your Data Center

Even in the winter months, server rooms need the cooling power of portable air conditioners if adequate temperatures can't be reached through building's internal cooling system. In fact, the winter months present a potentially hazardous problem for server rooms. Rooms in many buildings can't be adjusted independently. So while hot air is forced through the vents to keep employees happy, temperatures in server rooms can mount to dangerously high levels. There are several different types of portable air conditioners and choosing the right one for your server room could be critical to the health of your servers.

Ventilation Portable air conditioners for server rooms need some form of ventilation. Otherwise, while cold air blows out the front, hot air will blow right out the back, keeping the overall temperature level except for the area directly in front of the unit. This doesn't mean that you need a window. Though many people imagine a boxy window portable air conditioner when they hear the term "portable air conditioner," this is not the optimal type for a server room. Not only are there more powerful units, but the reduced security of window units isn't ideal for a server room.

The right type of portable conditioners for a server rooms are those that can vent into a drop ceiling via a ventilation tube. If your server room doesn't have a ceiling adequate for ventilation, an outside wall can be modified to accommodate the small circular ventilation tube which forces out the hot air. Unlike portable air conditioners without vents, this type literally draws the hot air out of the room and forces it into another location.

BTU's BTU's or, British Thermal Units, refer to the energy units that a portable air conditioner can produce. Larger rooms need portable air conditioners with larger BTU's. Generally speaking you can use the following guidelines to determine the necessary BTU's needed to cool your room:

BTU's Square Feet 7,500: 150 9,000: 200 10,000: 250 12,000: 350 13,000: 400

Room size isn't the only consideration. In server rooms especially, the heat generated by the servers also must be taken into consideration. To determine the amount of BTU's needed to displace the heat generated by the equipment, multiply the total wattage of all equipment by 3.5. You'll also want to factor in any people who work in the room on a regular basis. To do this, multiply the number of occupants by 400.

Most suppliers of portable air conditioners also offer professional installation. Though they can be easily rolled from room to room, there is a small amount of installation required for venting the displaced air. In the past, larger portable air conditioners required complex wiring, but now some manufactures models, like the Avenger, can be used with a standard plug while still providing serious cooling power. Once installed, your portable air conditioner can run smoothly, quietly, and virtually maintenance-free for years.

For more information on portable air conditioners, visit http://www.Coldair.net

Air Conditioner Buying Guides

It's that time of year again. If you don't have an air conditioner you may be thinking of getting one. If the one you do have seems to be less than adequate, it may be time for an upgrade. What should you look for? Many consider buying an air conditioner a confusing process. Why not take a minute to read up on what's available and what all those numbers mean.

Points to Remember before Buying Air Conditioner:

* First, BTU stands for British thermal units per hour. Really, all that one really needs to know about this is that the higher the BTU, the more space the air conditioner can cool efficiently.

* The aim is to get as many BTU's as necessary for sufficient cooling without getting a unit that is more than you need. As a general room of thumb, look for five to six thousand BTU's for each 100 to 300 square feet you want to cool. Consider seven thousand to eighty two hundreds BTU's for 250 to 55o sq. ft. and ninety eight hundred to twelve thousand five hundred for area that is 350 to 950 sq. Expect a standard air conditioner to cool one or two rooms.

* One of the most important steps is to consider the need and matching that to the most effective solution. Is the air conditioning needed for the entire house, or mostly for a single room? Additionally, how often will it be used? If air conditioning is only needed occasionally for a small area, a temporary in-window model might be more appropriate, as it can be removed when not necessary. On the other hand, if permanent air conditioning is needed for the entire home, a larger solution might be needed.

* With an idea of the type of air conditioner needed, it is important to consider energy costs. Air conditioners can use significant power, and some units are more energy-efficient than others. Comparing models to find one saves energy while still performing effectively can save a significant amount on monthly power bills.

* Check the labels: most list the capacity of the model in British Thermal Units (BTUs) and give an idea of how energy-efficient the unit is. The more British Thermal Units, the greater the capacity of the unit. Additionally, some utility companies offer cash incentives to customers purchasing energy-friendly appliance replacements. Energy costs can make a huge difference when considering different air conditioners.

* Of course, the price of the unit itself is a consideration as well, and it is important to shop around to get a good deal. However, the price of the unit itself should not be the only consideration. When comparing prices, it is important to factor in the cost of delivery and professional installation, if required. In some areas, product discounts and faster installation may be available in colder months when demand for air conditioners is lower.

* When properly researched, purchased and installed, shopping for an air conditioner need not be difficult. Air conditioning can make a home more comfortable as well as more appealing to some home buyers. By considering needs and shopping around for a good deal, buyers can make a smart decision.

Find more about Air Conditioner at http://www.ShoppingSoLow.com .

Vinay Choubey

Careers in HVACR - Education and Training for Success

What is HVACR?

The "Heating-Ventilation-Air Conditioning-Refrigeration"(HVACR) industry manages indoor environments. The HVACR industry covers the comfort systems - heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration - that our society depends on year around. The heating and cooling industry is a $150 billion a year business that employs many people and more skilled people are needed to fill the increasing demand. The HVACR industry works on issues that affect our environment such as indoor air quality and protecting the earth's ozone layer through refrigerant recovery.

Where do HVACR people work?

* Sports arenas * Shopping malls * Theaters * Office and apartment buildings * Private homes * Factories * Grocery stores * Industrial plants * Hospitals * Homes

Technical Jobs are the Fastest Growing Segment of the Economy

Jobs in the $150 billion a year HVACR industry are predicted to increase throughout the end of this decade and throughout the twenty-first century, as demand grows for new industrial, commercial, and residential climate control systems. To maintain or replace older comfort systems, additional new jobs will be created.

The HVACR industry offers well-paying jobs, ranging from a $29, 500 salary for beginning technicians with a two-year Associates Degree to a $40,000 salary for B.S. Graduates with a four-year technical degree. Sales and business HVACR jobs offer similar compensation.

Why is HVACR important in our daily lives?

* In the home people depend on air conditioning and heating to keep comfortable. * Electronic and computer manufacturers need cool, clean, and very dry air for their products. * Hospitals, day care centers, and community centers depend on HVACR equipment to maintain comfortable temperatures and good air quality. * Research labs, medical manufacturers and food preparation companies need HVACR equipment to ensure that their products are pure and safe. * Farmers, livestock shippers, and fruit growers rely on refrigerated trucks, warehouses, and display cases to keep their products fresh. * Printers use high-speed, multicolor printing equipment that requires strict humidity control to ensure product quality.

What education and training is needed?

To get started in the HVACR field, you should enroll in the following courses in high school:

* Computer Applications * CAD - Computer-Aided Design * Business * Sales and Marketing * Air Conditioning * Math - algebra and geometry * Sheet Metal * Electricity/electronics * Mechanical Drawing * Blueprint reading

The stronger your training, the greater your chances for advancement in the field! After graduating from high school, you can get additional training at a local community college or at a university.

Scholarships & Loans: Most schools can help you finance your college education through scholarships and loan packages.

100% Job Placement: Look for two-year associate programs or colleges and universities with high rates of job placement. Often they can find jobs for 100% of their HVACR students.For more information on becoming an heating technician or air conditioning technician please visit our school atHVACR Careers-school and job information