Energy conservation focus yields results

We’ve long been focused on using energy efficiently. Since 2007, we’ve cut our energy use by more than 25 percent.

Our efforts began with small steps, like installing energy-efficient lighting and temperature control systems. In 2011, however, we completed a couple of massive—and more complex—changes.

In September, we installed equipment that allows us to use free cooling at one of our Cleveland campuses. Free cooling is a process by which we use the low-temperature outdoor air to supplement our air conditioning systems instead of using mechanical cooling to get the same results.

As a result, the monthly electric bill—which previously averaged $204,000 per month during the first quarter of 2010—is averaging $121,618 for the first quarter of 2012.  In October 2011 the monthly electric bill was just over $85,000. That’s the lowest electric bill at the site since 1993. In 2012, we’re installing equipment at one of our other Cleveland locations that will allow us to use free cooling.

We also installed variable frequency drives (VFD) at our Cleveland and Colorado Springs data centers. Using VFDs, we vary the speed of the fans that cool our IT equipment. Like dimmer switches on a light, they increase or decrease fan speed based on our needs. With these drives, we reduced energy consumption of our air conditioning units by about 80 percent at both data centers.

Encouraged by our success, we continue to explore economical ways to conserve energy at our locations across the country.