AC Product Database

Tripp Lite SRCOOL2KWM

The Tripp Lite SRCOOL2KWM is my absolute favorite server AC because it's built to cool down server racks most efficiently.

What I mean by this is that instead of figuring out the best positioning to ensure proper cooling and air circulation, you just place this one directly on top of a server enclosure.

Then, attach the mounting brackets to the unit and the rack, route the vent up your ceiling, and you’re halfway there.

And if you're worried about compatibility issues - you really shouldn't be. 

The mounting holes on the bracket will align with any Tripp Lite rack. If you don't have one, all it takes is to drill a hole in your top cover.

Once mounting is done, all you need to do is add a directional vent that attaches magnetically to the rack door and blows the cold air directly at the servers, and you’re all set.

I know that 2000 BTU might seem low to you, but keep in mind this is close-coupled cooling we're talking about, so 2000 BTU is way more than enough, as this thing won't chill an entire room but rather just the rack.

Also, once you cut the magnetic door panel (that comes included) to size to seal the front of your rack to prevent warm air from being sucked in – you’ll have yourself one happy, sub-75-degree rack.

One thing I see people worry about with this model is that EER isn't disclosed anywhere. I think Tripp Lite did that on purpose.

You see, I have calculated the EER of this one's just 7.3, which isn't exactly considered good.

However, I wouldn't stress about it.

The SRCOOL2KWM will only consume about $250 of electricity annually, making it one of the most cost-effective air conditioner units. Plus if it is saving up on running cost is what you are after, you will need to either consider window ACs or mini splits with high EER.

Another thing I love about this one is the built-in evaporator which eliminates the need for a drain tube or water collection tank, effectively minimizing the chance of a leak that could kill your equipment.

Still, if you want to, there is a drain outlet that you could use.

Finally, I want to talk about the remote-control capabilities of this one.

At the top, right above the control panel with tactile buttons and a miniature screen, there’s a slot for an SRCOOLNET2 network card, which allows you to remotely-manage and monitor the AC via SNMP, web, SSH, or telnet.

Now, while this is a very useful feature for handling multiple units inside a data center - if you simply have one unit and one server – I can’t quite justify spending an additional $400.

One thing I don’t like is a 1-year warranty.

While I generally don’t have any concerns about the longevity or quality of this product - I’d like to see at least two more years added to it.

However, all in all - I'd say this is a near-perfect product.

This Tripp Lite model is 2000 BTUs, but the brand has sizes to fit any size and style of server room. For large enterprises, I recommend the Tripp Lite SRCOOL33K, a 700 pound 33,000 BTU option with an inverter compressor and premium price tag.

Related article: Understanding portable AC energy consumption

Tripp Lite SRCOOL12K

Next up I have another product from Tripp Lite - only this time, it's a 12200 BTU spot cooler appropriately dubbed SRCOOL12K.

The main difference between SRCOOL12K and SRCOOL2KWM is that L12K will effectively cool the room as well as the server rack - allowing you to harness the best of both worlds and cool up to 400 square feet.

In other words, if you're running a business and have a ton of equipment housed in several racks - it's a savvy and cost-effective decision to get one of these coolers instead of multiple 2KWMs.

Now, don't expect sub-70-degree temperatures in your server room - especially if you're housing a ton of equipment.

I’ve tested this one on more than a few occasions, and you can hold your room at around 75 degrees comfortably, but rarely lower than that.

And no, that’s not too hot. It’s more than optimal for modern systems.

On top of that, if you'd like to aim the cool air directly at the rack, this one comes with a short hose that you can attach to the cooling duct by simply removing the louvered vent and screwing it into it in probably less than two minutes.

However, I must say that you’re kind of underutilizing this AC if you do that, considering this is a lot more than just a single server rack air conditioner.

One thing I really want to emphasize how easy this thing is to set up.

You will get every single part with the AC, so you won't need to buy a hose or a window kit separately or use any tools, and if you follow the guide - it shouldn't take you more than 15 minutes to get it up and running.

Both this and the previous Tripp-Lite product on my list include an environmentally friendly R410a refrigerant, which complies with RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) standards.

In other words, if you're all about eco-friendly practices, then this one is not too shabby.

I also want to talk about the "Dehumidify Mode," which has caused a few problems for some people.

While the mode itself is not bad, it can be kind of annoying, and this goes back to the aforementioned sub-70 degrees "issue."

Basically, if you set the temperature below 70 degrees and you keep the AC in Auto Mode, it will usually switch to Dehumidify Mode very quickly, lowering the efficiency and cooling ability, which could be a problem during the summer.

My advice is to set the temperature to 70-75, set the fan speed to medium, and run the AC in Cool Mode, and you'll be golden.

Finally, unlike with my top pick, I'd buy the network card this time since you're more likely to use this one in a business setting where you can benefit from monitoring the operation.

Related article: Top rated 12000 BTU air conditioners

KwiKool KIB2421-2

While it won't cool Google's data center, KwiKool KIB2421-2, despite its somewhat petite stature, can easily cool down any server room up to 800 square feet - no matter how much equipment you have in there!

And quite frankly, that’s the least it could do, given it is more than twice as expensive as the Senville SENA-18HF/D - the second-most-powerful AC on my list.

So why do I think the price tag is appropriate? Well, first things first - this portable unit is the epitome of performance.

The KwiKool KIB2421-2 has two modes: Cool and Fan. All you need to do is set yours to Cool, set the temperature (it goes down to 60F, but I wouldn't go that low, as that could actually freeze up the evaporator coil in some cases), and the machine will do everything else.

It’ll start slow, ramp up if needed, and drop the fan speed back to low once it reaches the desired temperature.

And speaking of the desired temperature, 23500 BTU means you can realistically keep a massive server room at 70-72 degrees if you want to.

Also, you get longevity and durability, which I'm very thankful for, considering you only get a 1-year warranty even though you're paying a premium.

Luckily, I've installed the KwiKool KIB2421-2 on more than a few occasions over the years, and I never had to go back and fix the thing.

The only things regarding maintenance are filter replacements and the inspection (and, if necessary, adjustment) of the air supply drive belts every 60 days.

One thing I have to mention is - you will need professional help to set this one up.

This one requires a 230V outlet to run, and no; you shouldn't find a video on how to do this yourself. By law you will require an electrician. 

Once the power's sorted out, you can easily do the rest, as a pretty decent instruction manual comes with the AC.

What doesn't come with the AC is any of the relatively necessary accessories.

If you don't have a way to drain this big boy, you'll have to buy a $275 15-gallon condensation tank - which is ludicrous no matter how you look at it.

The same goes if you want a chute or a ceiling kit, which go for $395 and $595, respectively, which I think is quite overpriced.

On a more positive note, this AC is packed with many useful features, from microprocessor controls and self-diagnostics to robust safety protocols, so unforeseen disasters like surges or condensation leakage shouldn't worry you.

This model will basically shut off if it senses a problem, and once it's back up and running - it'll just continue where it left off without you having to set it up again.

Related article: How to clean portable ACs for optimal performance

Senville SENA-18HF/D

The only reason I haven't put SENA-18HF/D at the top is that you're sacrificing a bit of its functionality if you use them only for cooling a server room.

SENA-18HF/D is an 18,000 BTU mini-split pair (9000 BTU per unit) that can both cool and heat up your space.

Usually, units like these are part of a larger, central AC system designed to cool or warm up your entire house, office, or building.

A mini split system is probably the best thing for cooling down servers you can buy.

Also, don’t worry if you live in Minnesota or Wisconsin - the outside unit can handle temperatures as low as -22 Fahrenheit.

It honestly doesn't matter if you have a lot of equipment inside of your server room or if you just have a single rack.

You can mount these on any wall and point them in any direction, ensuring your server intake fans suck cool air at all times.

Now, you’ve probably noticed this thing’s rated for up to 1250 square feet. I need you to keep in mind that is for living space.

Honestly, I’d say you’re golden up to 600 square feet with for your server room here.

As for setup, you'll need an HVAC guy. While you could technically DIY it, I'd urge you not to, as there's some wiring, refrigerant releasing, and other stuff involved that you wouldn't want to mess up.

Finally, this is an inverter with a 13.3 EER and 22.5 SEER, so it’s supposed to help you save a few bucks down the line - while already being quite affordable for a dual-zone mini split. 

Based on my math, you'll save 20, 25, or maybe even 30% on your electric bill compared to a similarly powerful model, which could be anywhere from several hundred to more than $1000 a year, depending on your needs.

Related article: My complete buyer's guide for mini split ACs

Senville SENA-24IC-Z

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—I’m a big fan of Senville. Their units consistently balance performance, efficiency, and affordability, so I definitely wanted to include one of their ceiling cassette models in this list.

The SENA-24IC-Z is a 24,000 BTU mini split with a ceiling cassette indoor unit, which is perfect if you want powerful cooling without taking up any wall space. 

And out of all the models in this roundup, this one actually covers the biggest area—up to 1350 square feet. If you’ve got a larger home server room (or a combination office and server space), that extra headroom is super useful.

For server rooms, I think it would be suitable for spaces up to 800 square feet.

It also offers heating, which is great if you live somewhere with wild seasonal swings—think Texas, parts of the Midwest, or anywhere that sees both 90°F summers and freezing winters.

Like the SENA-18HF/D, it’s inverter-based and pretty energy-efficient for the output it delivers.

The catch? Like most of the serious units on this list, this one’s going to need a professional install. Ceiling cassettes are a bit more involved, so unless you're already tight with an HVAC tech, budget a little extra for setup.

The extra money upfront could really pay off, though. Senville's 5 year warranty on parts and 10 year warranty on the compressor (available only with professional installation) is top-of-the-industry.

If you want a discreet, high-power cooling option for your server room (without a bulky wall unit), the SENA-24IC-Z is an awesome choice from a brand I trust.

Whynter ARC-14S

Whynter ARC-14S is a 14,000 BTU portable AC that could easily handle up to 500 square feet filled with heat-generating servers and all sorts of other computing equipment.

This is a great budget option. 

I often tell people to get dual-hose ACs for living spaces because they're quite efficient and prevent things like negative air pressure, which could result in some temperature imbalances as the hot air gets sucked in from other parts of the house.

However, that's usually not a concern for a server room. There's typically no way the rest of your house is warmer than your server room.

And if you’re curious about the usual bells and whistles these portable AC come with - this one also has them all.

It filters the air, dehumidifies it, can work as a fan-only, has a condenser, so you don't need to install a drainage hose, and it installs in about 10 minutes.

This one also has rather short hoses that are about 5 feet long, so you're kind of forced to keep it near a window, which is definitely something to consider. 

Overall though, I recommend the Whynter ARC-14S even as a backup option. Since it's portable, it can be ready to cool down a server room and transported at a moment's notice, especially since setup only takes about five minutes. 

Related article: Best 14000 BTU air conditioners available

SereneLife SLPAC8

Finally, here's arguably the best deal for a portable AC to cool your server room.

This compact and portable AC model is available for under $300, and easily cools up to 200 square feet. 

Obviously, this one’s not intended for this particular use, but considering it’s not really good at what it’s supposed to do (it’s kind of loud and erratic at times), it’s perfect for your small and loud server room.

With 8000 BTU cooling capacity, SLPAC8 has more than enough power to keep a 200 square foot server room in the low to mid-70s, protecting your gear from overheating, all while consuming less than a kilowatt when blasting at full speed.

While the SereneLife is not exactly feature-rich, it does come with a built-in dehumidifier, so you can stop worrying about the humidity levels, as this can work in cooling, dehumidifying, and fan modes.

And, yes, installing it is a piece of cake. You’ll be done in less than 10 minutes, and I’m willing to bet you don’t even need to check out the instruction manual (but you should).

Now, all of that is fine and dandy. It's super-affordable, relatively powerful, and gets the job done, so what's the catch? Why the low cost?

Honestly, the only thing that comes to mind is the fact that it’s built in China, where labor is dirt cheap.

I could make an educated guess and tell you I don’t think it’ll last you a long time, but after all, no one’s expecting a long-term server-cooling solution for less than $300.

What type of AC is best used in the server room?

The best type of AC for server rooms depends largely on the type of server room.

For instance, a small server room is best cooled with a portable AC or a ductless mini-split system, while a large operation, like a data center, would benefit from a high-end PAC or CRAC solution.

How do you calculate the AC size for the server room?

In order to calculate the AC size for a server room, you must first know the server room size. Once you do, allocate 30 BTU per square foot of space, and you should have a rough estimate.

If you have people working within the data center or a server room, account for their BTU (which is about 400), and choose an appropriate air conditioning system.

Can I keep a portable air conditioner running continuously?

You can keep a portable air conditioner running continuously as long as you maintain it properly (empty the condensation tank, for example).

As long as it automatically shuts off when the temperature is right, you also don't have to worry about electricity bills being too high, even with constant use.

How do I cool a server room without air conditioning?

The only way to cool a server room without air conditioning is with proper ventilation.

Having a vent directly behind a server closet or a rack and drawing the toasty air right from the source can lower the server room temperature significantly, which in properly temperature-isolated spaces could be more than efficient.

To make this cost-efficient, you could add a thermostat and a temperature probe near the server rack so your exhaust vents kick in only when necessary.