5 Best Server Room AC For the Money (Review and Guide 2021)

Server rooms are an essential part of a modern office building, as it holds all the network servers the company has to work with. It includes a variety of machines necessary to keep the work going – and naturally, this number of machines can send a lot of heat inside the server room.

Best Server Room AC

If server rooms heat up too much, then the equipment inside can be prone to malfunctioning. This is why you should choose the best server room AC carefully. This way, you can deliver enough cooling in the room to keep the data safe – preventing the equipment from overheating and running a temperature at a comfortable level.


Best Server Room AC Reviews 

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

1. Pioneer Air Conditioner WYS012A-19 – Best Overall Air Conditioner

Pioneer Air Conditioner WYS012A-20 Wall Mount...
  • Save money all year-round with a highly efficient ductless mini split inverter+ heat pump system
  • Ultra-silent and beautifully built: perfect for home or light commercial use
  • Use for both cooling and heating at 12000 BTU/hour with 20 SEER and 10.5 HSPF efficiency
  • Comes with every needed component in the box including an easy-install 16ft copper piping kit
  • Free tech support and a 5 year coverage on the parts and compressor

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

If you lack space but are looking for a good ductless air conditioner, you might want to consider trying out this device. It’s the perfect server room air conditioner to cover a 500 square foot room.

This server room air conditioner features a 19 SEER rating, making it highly energy efficient. Plus, it offers server room cooling, but it can also provide heating for the colder months. Due to the installation piping kit that it comes with, it’s also effortless to set up.

Featuring a dehumidification option, this model is perfect for a server room that gets little ventilation and attracts moisture. Moreover, even if the unit works on 12000 BTU, it is still quiet enough not to bother anyone working in the server room.

This unit can easily be operated through remote control, saving you time and effort. Plus, it comes with reusable filters, making its maintenance relatively easy to handle. The unit has ETA approval, which means you won’t have to worry about any performance hazards while the system is trying to cool down the room.

Pros

  • Energy-efficient unit
  • Very easy to install due to the installation piping kit
  • Easy to operate through remote
  • Compact and takes little server room space.

Cons 

  • Only efficient when installed in a small server room 

2. Black + Decker BPACT10WT Portable Air Conditioner – Best Budget Air Conditioner

Sale
BLACK+DECKER 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner...
  • Portable AC: Use this personal air conditioner (15.3” x 14” x 24.8") in rooms up to 450 sq. ft. Stay cool in the hot summer months and sleep well with this BLACK+DECKER ac unit for bedroom.
  • 3-in-1: 3-in-1: Our 5800 BTU DOE (10000 BTU ASHRAE 128) air conditioner also functions as a dehumidifier & fan. This portable air conditioner (47.3 lbs.) has a convenient remote control & top mounted control panel with LED display.
  • Impressive Features: Set the temperature just right with this ac portable air conditioner. Our ac unit portable also has a slide-out washable filter, auto water evaporation, & 24-hour timer.
  • Easy Mobility: Thanks to casters on the bottom and side handles on both sides of the small air conditioner, this air cooler can be moved from room to room without any hassle.
  • Installation Kit: When it comes to fans that blow cold air, this indoor ac unit includes an easy-to-install window kit. A large, vented airflow outlet ushers in cool air. Environmentally Friendly R410a Refrigerant

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

If you need a server room air conditioner but do not have the money to make a more significant investment, this portable unit can be handy for spot cooling. If you have any equipment in your server room that produces quite a big heat load, then you may use this small portable system to lower the temperature.

With the ability to reach up to 150 square feet, this cooling unit is perfect for keeping the heat down in a small data center. It is also very easy to clean and maintain, making it the perfect portable air conditioner for busy servers.

For the price, this air conditioner has versatile functionality. You can switch between cool, fan, and dehumidifying mode to ensure that the air not only stays cool but is also clean and dry. Moreover, it has a restart function that will get the unit up and running again in a power outage.

Pros

  • Very compact yet efficient
  • It comes at an affordable cost.
  • Restart function makes it useful in a power outage.
  • Can cool and dehumidify the air at the same time

Cons

  • It does not have extensive room coverage.

3. Tripp Lite Portable Air Conditioner for Server Racks and Spot Cooling – Best Portable Air Conditioner

Sale
Tripp Lite Portable Air Conditioner for Server...
  • Small portable air conditioner: this rolling, self contained, compact, portable ac unit cools small network closets and back offices where other cooling solutions don’t fit; this room air conditioner can also be used as a personal air conditioner for residential applications
  • 12,000 btu of cooling power: this AC unit delivers 12,000 betas (3.5kW) of air conditioning capacity to protect vital equipment against overheating; this unit uses environmentally friendly R410a refrigerant to comply with worldwide standards
  • Self contained design with simple installation: this air conditioning unit has no plumbing or special circuits, and a built in evaporator means there is no need to empty water collection tanks; the unit also dehumidifies and filters the air, and 100 percent duty cycle keeps your environment constantly cool with no downtime
  • Optional remote management for monitoring & control: install the optional srcoolnet network module (sold separately) to this space cooler to monitor temperatures, receive alerts, review logs, and control settings from anywhere, anytime, via snmp, web browser, ssh or Telnet

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

If you are looking for a relatively small AC cooling system that can provide spot cooling for server racks, then among other units, you might want to consider this one as well. It’s self-contained and features a simple installation, meaning that you do not have to worry about plumbing or any special circuits.

With a 12000 BTU cooling power, this unit can bring the heat down in poorly ventilated rooms, making it a great choice among server room air conditioners. The product is ideal for protecting your vital equipment against overheating, lowering the temperature enough for your equipment to be used safely.

Featuring a 2-year warranty along with tech support, this machine can keep your business going smoothly for a longer time. With the dehumidifier’s addition, this portable air conditioner can also keep the server room air dry. Plus, it features a built-in evaporator, meaning that you won’t have to bother with emptying water collection tanks.

Pros

  • High cooling efficiency for medium-size rooms
  • Easy to adjust so that you may get the temperature right
  • The caster wheels make it easy for you to place the product wherever you like

Cons

  • Cooling power does not reach very far.
  • You may only run it for about 4-6 hours per day if you want to prolong its life.

4. De’Longhi Pinguino Deluxe 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner – Best Quiet Air Conditioner

De'Longhi Black Portable Air Cooler with Remote...
  • 3-in-1 Unit Delivers a Precise, Targeted Cool.wattage : 1345 watts..Control Type : Electronic
  • COOLS EXTRA LARGE ROOMS. Supplies 14000 (ASHRAE)/8600 (SACC) BTU cooing power where it is needed most.
  • Targeted Cool Delivered Right to You. Cool Surround Technology uses Bluetooth technology to monitor temperature and humidity around the remote control and delivers targeted cool right to you.
  • Multifunctional for Maximum Comfort. 3-in-1 unit serves as an air conditioner, dehumidifier, or fan.
  • .The Quietest Cool. With all of this power, you might expect the noise to match—but the PAC EX390LVYN is equipped with Arctic Whisper Extreme Technology (quiet mode), meaning your comfort doesn’t have to cause a clamor. Operating at near-whisper levels, this portable AC unit cools and dehumidifies your room without disruption.

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

If you are looking for a good high-tech unit, this server room air conditioner is undoubtedly one you might want to consider. Featuring an in-built system that detects temperature and humidity, it’s one of the devices that can bring you comfort without you having to mess with the settings too much.

Even though it can efficiently lower temperatures in hot spots, this product can also save you energy. With the Eco Real Feel, this air conditioner can save up to 30% in energy, cooling the server room while protecting your energy bill.

With noise reduction that goes up to 4dB, this cooling system is tranquil compared to other similar products. It can lower the temperature inside the room while ensuring you are not bothered by the noise.

Pros

  • Can quickly lower the temperature at a decent level
  • Perfect for medium-sized servers
  • Very quiet operation
  • Compact yet features a wide coverage.

Cons

  • The hose is relatively short.

How Much Cooling Do You Need in a Server Room? 

Several factors might determine exactly how much cooling you need in the server room. To determine this, you have to calculate the BTU in the room using the following formulas:

  • Room Size BTU: Width x Length x 337
  • Total Windows BTU: South Windows + North Windows
  • Number of Occupants BTU: Number of People working there x 400
  • Total Equipment BTU: Total Equipment Wattage x 3.5
  • Total Lighting BTU: Total Lighting Wattage x 4.25

Once you have calculated all of the British Thermal Units, you need to add them all up. This way, you will find out exactly how much server room cooling you need. By getting the right product, you should be able to bring the temperature to a comfortable level.

Types of Best Server Room AC Systems 

Depending on your server room’s size or functionality, you may want to choose between different types of server room air conditioners. Whether you have a small server room or one with multiple hot spots, here are the types that you may want to consider.

  • Spot Cooling Air Conditioner

A spot cooling portable air conditioner is well-sought for lowering the temperature in server rooms. These portable AC units may be easily placed in the area that does not get enough cooling. They are the perfect choice if you have hot spots in your server room.

These portable devices may be placed close to closets, server racks, or any other area that needs cooling. They are also a great choice if you are looking to cool a high-priority server rack over a smaller amount of time.

  • Wall Mount Air Conditioner

A wall-mounted room air conditioner can also prove to be a good choice, mainly if the room in question is not very small. It is the perfect choice for medium to large servers.

Also referred to as mini-split, ductless air conditioners, these units can cool a server room evenly, without additional expenses or hassles. However, you may still want to hire some air conditioning engineers if this is your first time installing such a unit in your server room.

  • Ceiling Air Conditioner

Also referred to as a cassette air conditioning unit, this model is the perfect choice for server rooms, particularly when you don’t have a free wall to hang it on. The only thing you have to do is prop it on the ceiling instead of the classic options.

Many people owning server rooms, including IT professionals, prefer this type of air conditioning system. This is because many server rooms are lacking in floor space – rendering even portable air conditioners useless. With this type of air conditioning system, you may evenly send cool air throughout the servers.

Factors to Consider when Choosing Air Conditioner for Server Room

Several factors need to be taken into consideration when looking for air conditioners for server rooms. Here is what you’ll have to keep in mind.

  • Coverage

When choosing an air conditioner for a server room, you need to make sure that the heat load can handle the entire area. No matter if you have a small server room or a large one, you need to pick something with the appropriate amount of cooling power.

Bear in mind that if you go for something with higher coverage, you would also want to make sure it has a decent energy rating. Look for air conditioning units for your servers that have an Energy Star rights reserved label.

  • Portability

If you have other rooms aside from your server room in need of air conditioning, then you might want to get a portable unit.

Portable air conditioners will often be small in size and have caster wheels so that you may move them. They are efficient while still saving space.

  • Installation Requirements

Regardless of its type or whether it’s ductless or wall-mounted, a server room air conditioner will need a place to vent. It is essential to ensure that the area you vent it through is vacuum-sealed.

Also, check whether it comes with a single or a dual hose. The latter might have a slightly lengthier installation process, but ACs often have better cooling power too.

  • Noise Levels

Every server room air conditioner will make a bit of noise, whether you choose a ceiling model, a wall-mounted one, or one for spot cooling. It would help if you looked into air conditioners for your servers that have a low decibel level with that in mind.

This way, even if the noise gets out of the server room, it won’t turn out to be bothersome. Plus, you’ll be thankful for the reduced noise level if you work in a data center’s server room.

Conclusion

The Pioneer air conditioner is certainly the best overall choice, as it has multiple features while fetching a fair price. However, if you are on a tight budget, you may want to consider the Black + Decker model since it has most of the essential products without bells and whistles. The De’Longhi may also serve you well due to its very quiet nature.

In the end, you need to pick the type and model that works best for your purposes. Whether you are looking for a portable model or wall-hung model or want a quiet AC, go for a unit that meets your requirements. If you have any queries, feel free to contact us.

Photo of author
AUTHOR
Melanie Mavery is an aspiring HVAC technician who is fascinated by the trends and opportunities in the HVAC industry. She spends most of her day writing content on home improvement topics and outreaching to prospects.  She's always looking for ways to support HVACs!