Thermal management in data centres is no longer just about keeping hardware cool; it is about doing so efficiently, cost-effectively, and with a focus on long-term reliability.
ASHRAE’s 2021 Thermal Guidelines for Data Processing Environments, while not brand new, remain highly relevant in guiding how facilities balance these priorities. A key element from these guidelines is the X-factor, a concept that helps quantify the risk of hardware failure based on inlet air temperature.
As more facilities aim to reduce that risk without incurring high energy costs, air-based systems, like EcoCooling, are proving an effective way forward.
The X-Factor Reliability Metric Explained
The X-factor estimates the relative failure rate of IT equipment depending on the temperature of the air entering the servers. The higher the temperature, the greater the likelihood of failure. ASHRAE’s approach moves beyond fixed thresholds and instead encourages data centres to evaluate risk dynamically, taking into account the temperature profile of their environment.
The Impact of Temperature on IT Equipment
Although ASHRAE has widened the acceptable operating ranges for IT equipment in an attempt to reduce the amount of energy operators have to spend on refrigeration, especially with newer classes like A3 and A4, lower inlet temperatures remain the safest choice for equipment longevity. According to the X-factor model, even a small increase of a few degrees can significantly impact failure rates over time.
So, how can data centres keep temperatures low without dramatically increasing energy costs? This is where fresh air systems, like EcoCooling, offer a solution.
Reduce IT Failure Rates with Free Cooling
EcoCooling systems use direct air and evaporative cooling to regulate data centre temperatures by drawing in cool ambient air when conditions allow. This technique, often referred to as free cooling, can provide ideal server inlet temperatures for the majority of the year in many regions, without relying on energy-intensive refrigeration systems.
By integrating ambient air systems, like EcoCooling, operators can maintain optimal thermal conditions more sustainably, while also reducing both the X-factor and operational expenditure.
Keep Your Risk & X-Factor Low with EcoCooling
In some colder climates, a facility using EcoCooling might consistently operate at 18°C inlet temperatures using outside air alone. In comparison, a traditional chiller-based system would need to run continuously to achieve the same result, at a far greater energy and environmental cost. This not only reduces failure risk but also contributes to greener infrastructure and lower total cost of ownership.
ASHRAE’s introduction of the X-factor marked a shift in how the industry approaches cooling, focusing not just on how cool systems are, but on how smartly cooling is achieved. Air-based systems align perfectly with this thinking, offering an energy-efficient and globally applicable way to manage thermal risk.
Whether you are working towards sustainability targets or simply looking to cut costs without compromising reliability, systems like EcoCooling make it possible to achieve both. They help keep your equipment within optimal operating conditions and keep your risk, and X-factor, comfortably low.
Read our case studies to see how we’ve helped numerous data centres and get in touch with us today to see how we can help you.
- Published April 29, 2025
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Emma Beresford
Director at EcoCooling.
Driving the development of sustainable cooling solutions.
An experienced sales and marketing manager, working with SMEs to successfully develop and execute growth strategies. Key achievements have been in the identification and entry strategy for new markets via alignment and reapplication of existing IP/technology to new products and services.
