Residents in Phoenix may find their air conditioning bills rising due to heat waste from nearby data centers, according to research from Arizona State University. David Sailor, a researcher at ASU’s School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, has been studying the effects of heat emissions from data centers on local neighborhoods.
Impact on Local Utility Bills
Sailor explains that the powerful air conditioning units used by data centers emit excess heat, which can raise the surrounding air temperature by one or two degrees Fahrenheit. This increase can lead to a rise in utility bills by several percentage points each month, potentially adding tens of dollars to individual household costs.
His team is conducting detailed research to better understand the interaction between these heat emissions and local utility costs. By modeling the outdoor thermal environment and energy consumption of homes near data centers, they can assess the impact of turning off and on waste heat emissions.
Research and Mitigation Efforts
Sailor’s study, published in the ASME Journal of Engineering for Sustainable Buildings and Cities, reveals that heat emissions can travel up to five football fields, with wind patterns influencing their spread. Factors like data center roof design, nearby green spaces, and water features can help mitigate these effects.
Utilities and data center companies are taking an interest in this research, collaborating with Sailor to explore mitigation strategies. Some companies have already implemented measures to reduce their impact on local temperatures.
As Phoenix continues to experience a data center boom, understanding and addressing the environmental impact of these facilities is crucial for local communities.
Original reporting: 12News / KPNX (Phoenix) — read the source article.
