How Data Centre Cleaning Companies Can Help Reduce Your Energy Bill
When we talk about lowering data centre energy costs, minds jump to new cooling technologies, smarter controls, or server refreshes. Yet one of the lowest-risk, highest-ROI levers is often overlooked: professional technical cleaning. Routine, standards-based cleaning improves airflow, protects heat exchange surfaces, and helps your cooling plant work less for the same (or better) IT load. That translates into lower energy consumption and a healthier PUE.
Why Data Centre Cleanliness Matters to Energy Efficiency
Dust = airflow resistance = more fan power
Dust and fibre accumulate in filters, on coils, and under raised floors. This increases static pressure, forcing CRAC/CRAH units and AHUs to work harder. Studies show that fouled coils reduce airflow and heat-transfer performance, driving efficiency losses. Clean surfaces transfer heat more efficiently, which reduces pressure drops and lowers the fan energy needed to maintain the same return temperatures.
Clean Heat Exchangers Run Colder with Less Input
Coil cleaning case studies show improved airflow capacity and reduced fan speeds post-cleaning, delivering measurable energy savings. In systems where biofouling builds up between cleanings, energy penalties of 10–15% have been reported. Clean surfaces transfer heat more efficiently, so you need less input energy to hit the same return temperatures.
Particle Control Protects IT & Keeps Cooling Setpoints Stable
ASHRAE TC 9.9 contamination guidance underscores that particulate and corrosive contaminants can settle on heat sinks and circuit boards, increasing failure risk and localised overheating. Keeping contamination within recommended limits helps maintain reliable thermal performance, and avoid creeping setpoint “safety padding” that wastes energy.
Airflow Management & PUE
Industry data shows global average PUE has flattened around ~1.56. Good airflow management practices remain central to squeezing out further gains. Cleaning keeps blanking panels, containment, perforated tiles, and filters working as designed so your airflow strategy delivers the expected return.
Where Data Centre Cleaning Companies Move the Needle
Underfloor plenum cleaning: removing settled dust from raised-floor plenums prevents particulates from being entrained and blocking perforated tiles.
Cabinet and component-level cleaning: removing dust from server inlets and cable trays reduces thermal throttling and cooling demand.
Housekeeping that sustains airflow management: clean floors, debris-free containment, and unobstructed aisles support DOE best practices for energy-efficient air management.
What kind of savings are realistic?
Every data centre in Australia is different, but literature and case studies point to credible, low-digit percentage reductions in HVAC energy from coil/fan improvements alone, with double-digit penalties when fouling is significant. Given that cooling can account for a large share of non-IT energy, even a 3–5% reduction can translate into meaningful OPEX savings.
Standards You Should Expect From Professional Data Centre Cleaners
Your data centre cleaning company should work to ASHRAE TC 9.9 contamination guidance for particulate and gaseous control.
Your data centre cleaners should follow ISO 14644 cleanroom classifications for critical environments.
Your technical cleaning partner should provide method statements that protect uptime, including after-hours scheduling and risk assessments.
To ensure you engage a reputable, qualified, and adequately insured provider, check out these 13 Questions to Ask Data Centre Cleaners before granting access to your mission-critical areas.
The Business Case for Engaging Professional Data Centre Cleaners
Lower OPEX through reduced fan and chiller runtime.
Risk reduction by staying within ASHRAE contamination limits, supporting reliability.
Better use of existing infrastructure by restoring airflow performance, delaying capex on additional cooling.
Ready to cut your energy costs and reduce risk?
Book a free site inspection with Australian IT Services. Our Senior Technical Assessor will visit your facility to assess contamination levels and provide a tailored, no-obligation plan to help lower your energy consumption and safeguard your facility through professional technical cleaning.
