While the spotlight often shines on advancements like AI and cutting-edge cooling technologies, a significant yet understated shift is occurring: the urgent need to refurbish data centers. Many of these facilities, constructed during the early internet boom, are now grappling with the demands of modern computing. With over half of global data centers exceeding a decade in age, their infrastructure struggles to support the high-density workloads and energy efficiency standards required.
The rise of AI has intensified these challenges, as training complex models demands substantial power and generates significant heat. Moreover, sustainability regulations, such as the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact, are pushing operators to meet stringent energy efficiency and carbon neutrality targets by 2030. In this guide, you’ll discover the key drivers behind the data center refurbishment trend, what to consider before starting your project, and how to future-proof your facility for the demands of tomorrow.
Why Refurbishing Data Centers is Becoming Essential
1. Increased energy demands and ageing infrastructure
The rapid rise of AI, cloud computing, and data-heavy applications is pushing legacy data centers beyond their limits. Many were built for lower densities and can no longer operate efficiently under today’s loads. Without upgrades, these ageing systems risk costly downtime and performance bottlenecks.
2. Sustainability goals and carbon reduction targets
With governments and industries adopting strict environmental mandates, data centers are under pressure to reduce their carbon footprints. Retrofitting with energy-efficient systems and smarter designs can help meet goals like net-zero and align with ESG strategies. Refurbishment is a practical step toward greener operations without starting from scratch.
3. Cost-effective alternative to building new facilities
Constructing a new data center is capital-intensive, time-consuming, and often unnecessary. Refurbishment allows businesses to extend the life of existing assets, optimise performance, and reduce energy use at a fraction of the cost. It’s a smart, scalable solution for organisations looking to balance growth.
When Is the Right Time for a Data Center Upgrade?
Recognising the signs of underperformance early can prevent costly disruptions and future-proof your operations.
1. Frequent cooling issues or overheating
Inadequate cooling puts your servers at risk and shortens equipment lifespan. Persistent hotspots signal it’s time to modernise airflow and climate control systems.
2. Rising energy bills
If your power costs are outrageous, outdated systems are likely to be the cause. Upgrading to energy-efficient infrastructure can drastically cut operating expenses.
3. Downtime or system lag
Occasional slowdowns or outages can affect service delivery and client trust. These performance gaps often point to overloaded or failing infrastructure.
4. End-of-life IT or HVAC equipment
Aging servers, power units, or cooling systems can’t support today’s demands. Replacing end-of-life equipment ensures reliability, safety, and compliance.
What Does a Data Center Refurbishment Typically Involve?
1. Power and Electrical Systems
This involves upgrading Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), switchgear, and backup generators to ensure stable, efficient energy delivery. As workloads grow and uptime becomes non-negotiable, modern electrical infrastructure reduces risk and improves energy resilience.
2. Cooling and Ventilation Systems
Older cooling units are often inefficient and struggle with today’s heat output. Refurbishment includes installing advanced Computer Room Air Conditioning (CRAC) systems, improving airflow management, and integrating containment strategies to maintain optimal temperatures and cut energy waste.
3. Server Racks and Cabling
As servers get more compact and powerful, existing rack layouts may no longer be space- or energy-efficient. Refurbishment may involve optimising rack density, reconfiguring layouts, and replacing tangled or outdated structured cabling for better performance and easier maintenance.
4. Fire Protection and Security
Legacy fire suppression and access control systems often fall short of current safety standards. Upgrades in this area include installing compliant fire detection/suppression technology and enhancing physical and digital security protocols to protect critical assets.
5. Sustainable Retrofits
To meet modern environmental targets, refurbishment includes green technologies like hot/cold aisle containment, economisers, LED lighting, and smart building systems. These reduce carbon output, lower operating costs, and contribute to certifications like BREEAM or LEED.
Common Challenges in Data Center Refurbishment
While refurbishment offers long-term benefits, it often comes with complex logistical and technical hurdles that require careful planning.
1. Maintaining uptime during upgrades
Keeping the facility live while systems are overhauled demands phased scheduling and redundancy planning. Even brief downtime can have major operational consequences.
2. Legacy systems compatibility
New technologies must integrate with older infrastructure, which can cause software or hardware conflicts. Compatibility issues often require creative workarounds or custom configurations.
3. Managing cost and return on investment
Balancing upgrade needs with available budgets can be challenging, especially when ROI isn’t immediately visible. Strategic planning is essential to prioritise high-impact improvements.
4. Navigating tight physical spaces or outdated layouts
Many legacy data centers weren’t designed for today’s equipment densities. Limited space can restrict airflow, access, and installation, requiring clever spatial reconfiguration.
How to Plan Your Refurbishment for Success
At Kova Interiors, we understand that successful data center refurbishment requires more than just technical know-how. Here’s how we help our clients lay the groundwork for a smooth project.
1. Conducting a professional condition survey
We start every project with a detailed site assessment to evaluate the health, efficiency, and capacity of your current infrastructure. This allows us to identify risks and uncover opportunities for improvement before any work begins.
2. Defining project scope with stakeholders
Our team works closely with your IT, facilities, and leadership teams to set clear goals, timelines, and deliverables. A well-defined scope ensures everyone is aligned and the project stays on time.
3. Prioritising upgrades with measurable ROI
We help you focus on upgrades that offer the strongest returns, whether through reduced energy consumption, improved resilience, or extended equipment lifespan. Every recommendation is backed by data and aligned with your long-term goals.
4. Scheduling works to minimise operational disruption
With careful phasing, redundancy planning, and out-of-hours scheduling, we ensure your data center remains operational throughout the refurbishment. Downtime is not an option, we plan accordingly.
Should You Retrofit or Rebuild Your Data Center?
Choosing between retrofitting and rebuilding depends on the condition of your existing infrastructure, future growth plans, and operational constraints.
Pros of retrofitting:
1. Less downtime
Retrofitting allows critical systems to be upgraded in phases, helping maintain uptime and service continuity during the process.
2. Reduced capital expenditure
Rather than investing in a brand-new facility, targeted refurbishments can significantly improve performance at a fraction of the cost.
When rebuilding may be necessary:
1. When power/cooling demands exceed capacity
If your existing infrastructure can’t handle the increased loads of modern workloads, a full rebuild may be the only viable solution.
2. Physical space limitations
Legacy layouts may lack the space to accommodate higher-density equipment or airflow improvements, making expansion unfeasible without starting over.
3. Blended approach for hybrid needs
In some cases, combining both strategies; retrofitting what’s viable and rebuilding where necessary, offers the most cost-effective and future-proof solution.
How This Ties into Wider Commercial Refurbishment
If you’re already upgrading office spaces, server rooms, or other facilities, aligning your data center refurbishment with a broader commercial refurbishment strategy can reduce costs and project timelines.
1. Electrical system upgrades
Upgrading power infrastructure across your site ensures better load management, energy efficiency, and future scalability. A unified approach also reduces duplication and installation disruptions.
2. Cooling systems shared with office HVAC
Many office spaces and data centers share ventilation systems. Coordinating upgrades allow you to optimise performance and energy use across both environments.
3. Security infrastructure enhancements
Integrating physical and digital access controls into a single upgrade plan strengthens site-wide security. It also simplifies compliance and ongoing management across departments.
FAQs
1. How long does a typical data center refurbishment take?
Most projects range from 4 to 12 weeks, depending on complexity, component replacement, and whether the facility remains operational.
2. Can I refurbish a live data center without shutting it down?
Yes, phased upgrades and modular systems allow for refurbishment without total shutdown, although some temporary rerouting may be needed.
3. Will refurbishment disrupt network connectivity?
With proper planning and redundant systems, disruptions are minimal. It’s best to work with a team experienced in live-environment upgrades.
4. Do refurbished data centers qualify for sustainability certifications?
Yes, many upgrades (like energy-efficient cooling or LED lighting) contribute to certifications like BREEAM or LEED.
5. Is there funding or tax relief available for data center upgrades?
Some UK initiatives offer capital allowances for energy-saving plants and machinery. A qualified consultant can help navigate available relief.