Microsoft Proposes Server Rentals Be Used to Replace Furnaces

Servers are often maligned for using up too much energy and outputting too much of a carbon footprint. It is in fact one of the main reasons why our customers come to us for server rentals – they want to try out a new, cleaner footprint.

We applaud them for their efforts, but we also need to point out when a company goes even a step further.

We’re looking at you, Microsoft.

In a recent whitepaper, the software giant looked at the possibility of using data center output to heat homes. Hey, at least that would put the energy to good use. In fact, can’t understand why this country hasn’t adapted more of a Frank Herbert-ian policy in regards to its technology.

You know. Water power on water planet. Desert power on desert planet, and all that jazz.

Data centers put out so much heat that it takes a whole lot of fancy air conditioning and ductwork to cool them. And the vicious energy cycle continues. That’s why Microsoft tackles the issue in its whitepaper entitled "The Data Furnace: Heating Up with Cloud Computing." In this proposal, Microsoft argues that servers (or "data furances") be located locally, resulting in a smaller carbon footprint, a cheaper per-consumer price, and a great proximity factor.

Overall, we’re looking at an improved quality of service and value at the consumer level.

It might sound crazy at first, but it makes sense when you think about it. Sort of like earth houses or grass roofs. By replacing standard furnaces with a data center-based furnace, there is a new consideration of duality at hand.

According to Microsoft, "Data Furances will reuse the facilities and energy already allocated for heating purposes to provide computing services with low cost and energy footprint." The company goes on to add that, "Home heating alone constitutes about six percent of the United States' energy usage. By piggy-backing on only half of this energy, the IT industry could double in size without increasing its carbon footprint or its load on the power grid and generation systems."

Makes sense to us. We’re just waiting for these data furnaces to hit the market (so we can rent them).