Using “green” data centers is quickly becoming a standard practice of large corporations and smaller businesses. Energy-efficient data centers are essentially storage rooms, systematically designed for the management, broadcasting and archiving of data in an energy-efficient manner.

As many businesses making the change to energy efficiency will tell you, these data centers are not only wonderful for the environment but are also beneficial to businesses. Here’s how:

1.       Effectively Reduce Operating Costs

Some business owners feel that prioritizing for an eco-friendly data center is a waste of time and money, but evidence shows that these centers can reduce business operating costs significantly. This year, operating costs for data centers are expected to exceed the costs of their original capital investment because of such high energy use. Larger companies such as Google and Facebook have been able to reduce their energy consumption and costs by as much as 50% by implementing more energy-efficient data centers. The investment, then, of “green-ifying” a data center is usually money well spent.

 2.       Good ROI

Investing into an energy efficient data center is a smart move that not only saves in operating costs but, if done correctly, can produce a quick return. Cost reductions are easily recorded within weeks and months (as opposed to years) and show a good ROI.  Power companies are now beginning to offer incentives to businesses that are choosing more sustainable business practices, and some tax deductions are also available to businesses making the change to energy efficiency.

When a data center is not energy efficient it can be expensive, so the investment in green energy and its return is more than worth it. Companies with their own energy efficient data centers or those that outsource their storage to such centers, enjoy sustainability, energy efficiency, and tax deductions.

 3.       Reduced Carbon Footprint

Data centers have been recognized as being one of the largest consumers of energy—in fact, they use an incredible 1.5% of all the energy used in the United States every year. By contracting out or building your own green data center, you are reducing your company’s energy consumption and therefore your carbon footprint. With so many consumers looking for more eco-friendly options, reducing your carbon foot print can result in great PR for your company.

 4.       Good PR for Going “Green”

Public opinion has slowly shifted to be prefer more eco-friendly companies—especially those that go the extra mile to protect the earth’s resources. When the green movement first began, many business owners thought it was a fad, but it is here to stay. Fully 93% of consumers say they would choose an eco-friendly product over another, less green product.  With such a high number of possible clients choosing to “go green,” there’s a real opportunity to create good PR by investing in energy-efficient data centers.

How to Be Green in Other Ways

Above we mentioned companies like Google and Facebook are taking steps to become more energy efficient. Other large companies, such as Dell, have begun green initiatives programs and implemented five step processes for eco-friendly products.

Beginning with the design process, Dell designs their products with the environment in mind. By building these eco-friendly designs in a sustainable environment, Dell completes the next step of their green initiative. Then Dell uses renewable packaging to ship its products to the customers who then use them thus reducing the environmental impact. Dell then offers recycling options so that their products may eventually to be broken down and used in another way.

Energy efficient data centers are a wonderful business development and can improve daily business operations and customers in a significant way. By applying eco-friendly practices you can be beneficial to your business and the earth.

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