Air conditioning

[centurio]

Does anyone know what the cost is for running a 7KW air con unit

[Andrew_C]

Very roughly 70p / hour for the electricity (7 times the rate per kilowatt/hour) plus maintenance, depreciation etc.

[localzuk]

Although, your rates likely vary at night as the tariff is lower isn't it?

[centurio]

Very roughly 70p / hour for the electricity (7 times the rate per kilowatt/hour) plus maintenance, depreciation etc.

 

but if its on a thermostat surely it would be running less ??

[Andrew_C]

Ours runs pretty much all day in a south facing room of 25 PCs, we don't notice it reducing it's efforts at all. Set to 19C.

 

@localzuk - Why would you run it overnight? Doh, you're thinking server room, I was thinking ICT suite...

 

If it is a small server room, you might get the temp down to the point where it starts 'coasting', ours doesn't.

[localzuk]

but if its on a thermostat surely it would be running less ??

 

It depends on whether or not the room needs much cooling or not. If it is constantly having to work to keep the temperature level then it will cost you the amount mentioned. If it doesn't have to do much work and only works in bursts then it will be lower.

 

You could always have a power meter installed on the unit so you can monitor it directly.

[Halfmad]

I have a 1100W freestanding A/C unit in my server room on 24/7 (unless it gets too cold). It's enough to cool a 7mx3m room with 10 servers.

 

NOT south facing though, luckily.