Few people think about cooling systems when browsing websites or using cloud services. Yet this technology plays a critical role in keeping your cloud infrastructure running. Without proper cooling, servers would overheat within minutes, bringing your favorite web projects, sites, and apps crashing down – as well as your own cloud projects.
We are building our Hub Europe to be a leading modern data center, and that includes a state-of-the-art cooling system. Advanced airflow technologies protect your servers around the clock, maintaining the perfect environment where your projects can thrive. Read on to find out more about how we’ve made sure your VPS, VDS, or Dedicated Server always keeps its cool at Hub Europe.
Heat: The Hidden Challenge Behind Every Online Service
Servers generate heat – lots of it. Every calculation, every video stream, every database query produces thermal energy that must go somewhere. It’s pure thermodynamics, and it can’t be ignored. Left unchecked, this heat quickly builds up, degrading hardware performance and eventually causing complete system failures.
Modern data center equipment is incredibly powerful, and this means it generates more heat than ever before. As processors pack more cores into smaller spaces and memory densities increase, the thermal challenges multiply. A single rack can now draw upwards of 15kW – enough power to heat several homes – and all that energy eventually converts to heat.
Heat management directly impacts the reliability of your online services. Even small temperature fluctuations can shorten hardware lifespan and reduce performance during critical moments. That’s why data centers like Hub Europe take cooling so seriously – it’s not just a technical concern, but a fundamental aspect of service quality.
Nature as the Ultimate Cooling Partner
Hub Europe uses direct-free-cooling, a smart approach that works with nature rather than against it. Instead of running energy-hungry air conditioners non-stop, the system taps into something far more efficient and freely available: outside air.
In traditional facilities, server racks stand directly in large open halls as standalone units, requiring the entire space to be cooled to the same temperature. Hub Europe takes a different approach: server racks are contained within smaller, enclosed aisle that have designated entrance and exit points.
Here’s how it works: cool air flows through the raised floor and into cold aisles where server racks sit. As servers generate heat, they expel it into separate hot aisles. This warm air naturally rises and gets channeled outside the building through a cleverly designed roof structure that creates thermal separation.
The architecture itself plays a role in this efficiency. The roof’s sloping angle creates additional space for hot air to collect away from the servers, enhancing the natural convection effect. This design element reduces the energy needed for mechanical ventilation while improving overall airflow patterns.
This containment strategy dramatically improves efficiency. The main data hall can run warmer since it doesn’t house equipment directly, while cool air gets directed precisely into these enclosed server corridors where it’s actually needed.
This natural approach works so well that mechanical cooling only kicks in when absolutely necessary. For 6-8 months each year, outside air handles most of the cooling load. When temperatures climb too high, 36 compressors activate to maintain safe operating conditions.
The results speak for themselves: energy usage drops by up to 60% compared to conventional cooling methods. Fewer mechanical components mean lower maintenance costs and fewer failure points – translating directly to lower pricing for you. And of course, the environment benefits from the reduced power usage and associated emissions. It’s a great example of sustainable data center design in action.
Smart Design Makes Every Watt Count
The efficient design and attention to airflow management helps Hub Europe achieve a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.168 – an impressive feat considering that anything below 1.2 is considered excellent in the industry. In practical terms: running servers that consume 1 kW requires just 1.168 kW total power, with only 0.168 kW going toward cooling and other overhead.
To put this efficiency in perspective, the global average PUE for data centers hovers around 1.55, and many older facilities operate at 2.0 or higher. At those less efficient sites, for every watt powering your servers, another watt is wasted on cooling and power distribution losses.
Temperature Management: Precision Where It Matters
Modern cooling isn’t just about removing heat – it’s about doing so intelligently. Hub Europe’s system adjusts to changing conditions, using only the resources necessary at any moment.
The cooling system at Hub Europe maintains temperatures within the optimal range recommended by equipment manufacturers – typically between 18-27°C (64-81°F). This range balances energy efficiency with hardware reliability, providing enough cooling without wasting energy on unnecessarily low temperatures.
Maintaining consistent temperatures throughout the data hall presents a significant challenge. As some racks draw more power than others, heat distribution can become uneven. The electronically controlled fans respond to thermal loads, delivering precisely the right amount of air where and when it’s needed. No wasted energy pushing air through empty racks or overcooling areas that don’t need it.
This approach differs from older data centers that run cooling systems at constant levels regardless of actual demand. The dynamic response capability means the facility can handle varying workloads efficiently, from low-traffic periods to peak usage times.
Real-World Benefits for Your Projects
What does all this cooling technology mean for your cloud projects?
First, it provides environmental stability that protects hardware from thermal stress. Components run at their optimal temperatures, reducing the risk of performance throttling or unexpected failures. Each degree of temperature stability translates to more reliable and cost-effective service for you.
Second, it delivers substantial energy efficiency that helps control costs in an era of rising energy prices. The direct-free-cooling approach minimizes one of the largest operational expenses in traditional data centers – savings that make their way to you through competitive pricing.
Third, this cooling efficiency matters for both the planet and your budget. Lower energy consumption means a reduced carbon footprint and extended hardware lifespans, increasing operational sustainability and decreasing electronic waste.
Finally, it offers peace of mind knowing your applications run on infrastructure designed for reliability from the ground up. The engineering behind Hub Europe’s cooling systems reflects a comprehensive approach to data center design where every element serves performance, efficiency, and sustainability.
Excited about hosting your projects in a facility engineered for both performance and sustainability? Find out more about Hub Europe here.