Red Oak Sourcing in Foxborough, MA, is a large generic drug sourcing company that required an upgrade to their old Data Aire unit that had been installed in the server room back in the 1990s. The server room required year-round cooling due to the constant heat put out by the servers and the old AC system could not keep up in the colder months.
This outdated system was mounted to the ceiling above the servers. It featured a large blower that dispensed the cold air into the room but offered no protection to the servers from potential leaks or discharge that could fall onto the servers below and damage them.
Another problem with the old AC unit was that it provided no redundancy in case of failure. Should the Data Aire unit shut off for any reason, there was nothing to keep the server room cool, and the servers would quickly overheat, costing Red Oak Sourcing hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Red Oak Sourcing knew it was time for a change, so they began the search for the best fit for their specific needs. After speaking with Mike Herrick at N.E.T.R., Inc., he was able to give them quotes for both Mitsubishi ductless air conditioning systems and Panasonic ductless ACs. Both of these systems are designed to be slim, efficient, and excellent air conditioning units, but the Mitsubishi Electric’s -20-degree, low ambient kit design is what sold Red Oak Sourcing on that solution for their server room AC upgrade.
Problem: Red Oak Sourcing’s server room required a commercial HVAC upgrade to keep the servers cool and protected. They wanted a slim, redundant system to ensure that the servers would stay cool in all weather conditions.
Solution: N.E.T.R., Inc. installed two Mitsubishi ductless air conditioning units in the server room, set to a lead-lag operating schedule that would protect the servers in-case of failure, extend the life of both units, and function in temperatures as low at -20 degrees.
The Installation
The server room at Red Oak Sourcing was a 15 x 10 space, located on the third floor of the building. The old Data Aire unit was removed, and two Mitsubishi ductless air conditioning units were installed on opposing walls. The piping for these units was then run up to the fifth floor to the condensers that were installed on the roof.
These state-of-the-art condensers were a major selling point for Red Oak Sourcing when deciding on which air conditioning system would be best suited for their needs. Because of the value of keeping their server room up and running all year long, it was essential that the new AC system could function in incredibly low temperatures.
These Mitsubishi ductless air conditioning condensers function in temperatures as low as -20 degrees, thanks to their low-ambient technology. Essentially, when temperatures plummet, the only way to keep an indoor AC unit functioning is to protect the refrigerant system by keeping it at high pressurization.
The Panasonic ductless units that Mike quoted Red Oak Sourcing for in addition to the Mitsubishi Electric units feature a single wind baffle located on the back of the condenser. Mitsubishi ductless condensers are capable of handling much lower temperatures because they have three wind baffles instead of one. The wind baffles are located on the back, and both sides of the condensers and they act to keep the refrigerant system highly pressured even in the bitter cold of Massachusetts’ winters.
Because of the location of the server room, Mike had to core holes for the piping up through two floors to reach the roof, which delayed the completion date only slightly. He also had to ensure that the electrical systems in the building would support the new units properly, which they did without a hitch.
Due to the importance of keeping the servers cool, Mike set up a lead-lag system on the two indoor units. He set one unit to run at 67 degrees and the other at 66 degrees. By doing this, he made one wall AC the “primary” air conditioning unit and the other the “secondary” unit. In this way, the primary AC will maintain the room at 66 degrees, and the secondary unit will only kick in if the temperature in the room reaches 68. This redundancy protects the servers from overheating in the event of a sudden system failure.
In addition to protecting the servers, this ductless air conditioning system is designed to extend the life of both ductless units, since the primary unit will be swapped every six months. In this way, the wear and tear of operating 24/7 will be evenly distributed between the two units, extending the life of both ductless AC units for years to come.
N.E.T.R., Inc. also set up the ductless air conditioners to send any condensation or discharge to the pumps where it could be rerouted to the nearest drain, instead of potentially leaking onto the servers, like the old system. These new ductless AC were mounted out of the way, nowhere near the servers, so there was no chance of damaging them.
In the end, the installation went outstandingly well, and Red Oak Sourcing was very pleased with the process. Now, their server room has a redundant system that will keep the servers cool all year round and remain fully functional even in the harsh winter months.
Ductless Benefits
Not only are these new Mitsubishi ductless air conditioning units going to protect and cool the servers at Red Oak Sourcing, but these units are incredibly energy-efficient, as well. This efficiency should result in lower energy bills for the year-round operation of the necessary air conditioning for the server room.
Now, Red Oak Sourcing has a redundant system that will continue to keep the server room cool all year round. These ductless commercial HVAC units will also monitor the humidity in the room and maintain a safe level for the servers.
Thanks to the low ambient kit, the outdoor AC condensers will continue to function in temperatures as low as -20 degrees, so even in the dead of winter, the server room will remain cool. Lastly, the redundant system will ensure peace of mind that the servers will stay cool even in the event of a critical failure.
Is Ductless Right for You?
Is your business in need of an upgrade to an outdated commercial HVAC system? Do you find yourself unable to find the perfect temperature for your office because of a failing system? Contact N.E.T.R., Inc. today, and our heating and cooling specialists will work side-by-side with you to design the ideal heating and air conditioning system for your home or business.
NETR, Inc. is proud to be the #1 Elite Diamond Dealer for Mitsubishi Electric ductless air conditioning in Boston, MA, and the surrounding area. With years of experience and hundreds of installs under our belts, we’re confident we can find the best solution for your heating and cooling problems.
Contact us today for more information or to schedule a consultation with one of our specialists.
How Does Ductless Work?
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