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Industrial Refrigeration for Data Centers

Lower PUE. Reduce energy costs. Meet sustainability goals. Scale for AI workloads.

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The Data Center Cooling Challenge

Data center operators face unprecedented cooling challenges that traditional HVAC systems struggle to address. As energy costs rise and power density increases—particularly with AI and GPU workloads—facility managers need more efficient, scalable solutions.

40%

of data center operating costs from cooling

2-3x

higher heat density with AI/GPU racks

1.5+

typical PUE for traditional cooling systems

IR Pros cools data centers too

Traditional CRAC/Chiller System Limitations:

  • High PUE ratings: Most traditional systems operate at 1.4-1.8 PUE, wasting 40-80% of energy
  • Rising energy costs: Electricity rates increasing 5-8% annually in many markets
  • Limited scalability: Cannot efficiently handle high-density AI/ML workloads (30+ kW per rack)
  • Refrigerant concerns: Synthetic refrigerants (HFCs) face regulatory phase-outs and environmental penalties
  • Maintenance complexity: Multiple chiller units increase failure points and operational complexity
Data center cooling

Why Colocation Facilities Need Better Solutions:

Colocation providers face unique pressure to optimize cooling infrastructure:

  • Direct P&L impact: Cooling costs directly affect margins and competitive pricing
  • Customer sustainability requirements: Tenants demand ESG-compliant infrastructure
  • Long facility lifecycles: 20-30 year operational horizons require future-proof systems
  • Portfolio standardization: Need consistent, reliable cooling across multiple facilities
  • Competitive differentiation: Lower PUE and sustainability credentials win enterprise contracts

Industrial Refrigeration Advantages for Data Centers

Industrial ammonia and CO2 refrigeration systems deliver measurable operational and financial benefits that traditional HVAC systems cannot match. These proven technologies—used for decades in food processing and cold storage—are now transforming data center cooling economics.

30-40% Energy Savings

Industrial refrigeration systems achieve PUE ratings of 1.1-1.2 compared to 1.4-1.8 for traditional systems. For a 10 MW data center, this translates to $500K-$1M+ annual energy cost savings.

  • Higher efficiency compressors and heat exchangers
  • Natural refrigerants with superior thermodynamic properties
  • Reduced parasitic cooling loads
  • Free cooling capabilities in moderate climates

Lower Total Cost of Ownership

Over a 20-year facility lifecycle, industrial refrigeration systems deliver 25-35% lower TCO despite higher upfront capital costs. ROI typically achieved within 3-5 years.

  • Fewer moving parts = reduced maintenance costs
  • Longer equipment lifespan (25-30 years vs. 15-20 years)
  • Lower refrigerant replacement costs
  • Reduced compressor replacement frequency

Sustainability & ESG Compliance

Natural refrigerants (ammonia and CO2) have zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and near-zero global warming potential (GWP), meeting the most stringent environmental regulations.

  • Ammonia: GWP = 0 (vs. 2,088 for R-410A)
  • CO2: GWP = 1 (vs. 1,430 for R-134a)
  • Compliant with Kigali Amendment phase-downs
  • Supports corporate carbon neutrality goals
  • Enhanced ESG reporting for sustainability-focused investors

Scalability for High-Density Cooling

Industrial refrigeration systems excel at removing concentrated heat loads—ideal for AI/ML and GPU-intensive workloads that generate 30-50 kW per rack.

  • Modular design supports phased capacity expansion
  • Direct liquid cooling integration capabilities
  • Efficient at both low and high load conditions
  • Future-proof for next-generation chip densities

Addressing Safety Concerns

We Understand Your Safety Priorities

The #1 concern we hear from data center operators is safety—particularly regarding ammonia toxicity. We address this concern head-on with two proven approaches: CO2-based systems that eliminate toxicity risk entirely, and ammonia systems with modern safety controls that exceed industry standards.

CO2 Systems: Zero Toxicity Risk

For operators who prioritize safety above all else, CO2 refrigeration systems provide the performance of industrial cooling without toxicity concerns.

  • Non-toxic and non-flammable: CO2 poses no health hazards to personnel
  • No special safety equipment required: Standard facility safety protocols sufficient
  • Simplified regulatory compliance: Fewer permits and inspections vs. ammonia
  • Comparable efficiency: Achieves similar PUE performance to ammonia systems
  • Ideal for urban locations: Eliminates community safety concerns

Ammonia Systems: Modern Safety Controls

Today's ammonia refrigeration systems incorporate multiple safety layers that virtually eliminate leak risks while delivering maximum efficiency.

  • Low-charge designs: Minimize ammonia inventory by 60-80% vs. legacy systems
  • Advanced leak detection: Real-time monitoring with automatic shutdown
  • Redundant safety systems: Multiple fail-safes prevent releases
  • Remote monitoring: 24/7 system oversight by certified technicians
  • Proven track record: 100+ years of safe industrial use with modern controls

We Eliminate the Maintenance Expertise Gap

Concern about finding qualified technicians? IR Pros provides complete lifecycle support:

  • 500+ employees including many certified industrial refrigeration technicians nationwide
  • 24/7/365 emergency response: 1-4 hour on-site arrival
  • Preventive maintenance programs: Scheduled inspections and optimization
  • Turnkey service contracts: We handle all technical requirements
  • Remote diagnostics: Many issues resolved without site visits

Nationwide Coverage for Colocation Portfolios

Operating multiple data center sites? We provide consistent service across your entire portfolio:

  • Coast-to-coast coverage: Alaska to California, Midwest to Southeast
  • Standardized procedures: Consistent service quality at every location
  • Central dispatch: Single point of contact for all facilities
  • Portfolio-wide contracts: Simplified billing and management
  • Rapid expansion support: Service scales as you grow

IR Pros Data Center Cooling Services

From initial design through decades of operation, IR Pros delivers complete lifecycle support for industrial refrigeration systems in mission-critical data center environments.

Design-Build Capabilities

Our engineers design custom industrial refrigeration systems optimized for your specific cooling requirements, power constraints, and facility layout.

  • Thermal load modeling and system sizing
  • CO2 vs. ammonia system recommendations
  • Integration with existing infrastructure
  • Redundancy and failover planning
  • Energy efficiency optimization
  • Turnkey installation and commissioning

24/7 Maintenance Contracts

Predictable, comprehensive maintenance programs keep your cooling infrastructure operating at peak efficiency and reliability.

  • Scheduled preventive maintenance inspections
  • Refrigerant monitoring and management
  • Compressor performance optimization
  • Controls calibration and updates
  • Predictive maintenance using system analytics
  • Fixed monthly costs for budget predictability

Emergency Response: 1-4 Hours

Data center cooling failures cannot wait. Our emergency response teams are dispatched immediately with average on-site arrival of 1-4 hours nationwide.

  • 24/7/365 emergency hotline dispatch
  • Certified technicians in major markets
  • Mobile service vehicles with parts inventory
  • Rapid response even in rural locations
  • Remote diagnostics to expedite repairs
  • Temporary cooling solutions if needed

Nationwide Geographic Coverage

With 500+ employees, including many certified technicians and service centers across the United States, we provide consistent, reliable service wherever your facilities are located.

  • Alaska to California coverage
  • Midwest to Southeast service territories
  • Major metro and rural facility support
  • Multi-site portfolio management
  • Single point of contact for all locations
  • Standardized service across all facilities

Why Colocation Facilities Choose IR Pros

  • ✓ 30-40% energy cost reduction vs. traditional systems
  • ✓ PUE ratings of 1.1-1.2 for maximum efficiency
  • ✓ Zero-toxicity CO2 systems eliminate safety concerns
  • ✓ Natural refrigerants for ESG compliance
  • ✓ 500+ employees including many certified technicians nationwide
  • ✓ 1-4 hour emergency response anywhere in the U.S.
  • ✓ 35+ years combined experience in industrial refrigeration
  • ✓ Scalable for AI/GPU workloads up to 50+ kW per rack

Schedule Your Data Center Cooling Consultation

Discover how industrial refrigeration can lower your PUE, reduce energy costs, and meet sustainability goals. Our engineers will analyze your specific cooling requirements and provide a custom proposal.

24/7 Emergency Service Available

Serving colocation facilities nationwide with 1-4 hour response times