Inefficient operations in data centers are estimated to cost the U.S. economy $2 billion a year, according to ASHRAE.

That’s why the society says it has released an updated compact disc full of information on building data centers that save energy and money.

“Data Center Design and Operation-ASHRAE Datacom Series” will allow users to search across all previous published books in the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers’ Datacom series simultaneously, and print information directly from the CD or copy or put it into another document.

The need for information is enormous, ASHRAE said. For every dollar spent on constructing new servers, it costs another 50 cents to power or cool them.

“ASHRAE Technical Committee 9.9 has taken the lead in the IT (information technology) and HVAC communities by producing a series of publications that provide the necessary guidance,” said Stephen Comstock, ASHRAE publisher. “The intent of the CD is to bring these resources together in a format which allows for easy search and quick access.  Annual updates will be available so users have the most current information available.”