Every Google search, Netflix stream, and TikTok video passes through a data center that consumes as much electricity as a small city. Collectively, data centers devour around 1.5 percent of global electricity – equivalent to powering the entire state of Florida – and that figure is climbing rapidly as AI, cloud computing, and edge applications explode in demand.
This creates enormous pressure for operators who must balance competing demands: maintain 99.99 percent uptime while slashing energy costs, satisfy sustainability commitments from customers and investors, and stay competitive in an industry where efficiency directly impacts profitability.
Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) and Carbon Usage Effectiveness (CUE) aren't just industry metrics—they're the difference between thriving and struggling in today's market.
Most energy optimization efforts focus on the obvious culprits: more efficient servers, advanced cooling systems, and smarter power distribution. Yet the most fundamental efficiency factor often gets ignored: the building envelope itself. Advanced insulated metal panels (IMPs) from Green Span Profiles don't just reduce thermal losses and stabilize interior climates – they can directly influence PUE, improve sustainability scores, and deliver long-term energy savings.
Let’s look at both PUE and CUE and how they measure a data center’s total energy efficiency and it’s environmental impact:
These metrics are not only about internal benchmarking; they are critical for external stakeholders. Hyperscalers and colocation providers are increasingly required to disclose efficiency data to demonstrate alignment with net-zero goals and compliance with regulations in the U.S. and abroad.
When operators aim to reduce PUE, attention often turns to cooling systems — and for good reason. Cooling can account for up to 40 percent of total facility energy. But cooling efficiency is heavily influenced by the performance of the building envelope.
A poorly insulated roof or wall system allows heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter, forcing HVAC systems to cycle constantly. Even small leaks in the building envelope can undermine thermal stability, destabilize humidity, and drive up cooling loads.
By contrast, Green Span Profiles insulated metal panels (IMPs) are engineered to maximize thermal resistance and airtightness. This stabilizes interior conditions, reduces reliance on HVAC systems, and improves overall facility efficiency.
Here are five ways that Green Span Profiles IMPs can benefit your energy efficiency:
Green Span Profiles IMPs provide high R-values thanks to a continuous insulating foam core. Higher R-values mean better resistance to heat flow, which translates to fewer temperature fluctuations inside the facility.
Traditional construction can create “thermal bridges” — weak points where heat flows through structural components. Green Span Profiles IMPs minimize these pathways, ensuring the entire wall or roof assembly maintains consistent insulation performance.
Air infiltration is a hidden energy drain in many data centers. Green Span Profiles IMPs feature interlocking joints and advanced sealants that create a near-airtight building envelope.
Speed-to-market is vital in the data center industry. IMPs are modular, lightweight, and fast to install compared with traditional construction. Faster builds reduce labor costs and accelerate revenue generation from new facilities.
Energy savings translate directly to improved CUE scores, since reduced energy use lowers carbon emissions. For operators seeking LEED, Green Globes, or net-zero certifications, IMPs provide a measurable advantage.
Consider a 100,000-square-foot facility in Central Texas, where temperatures often exceed 100°F in summer and dip near freezing in winter. Without a high-performance envelope, HVAC systems would operate continuously to maintain the strict ASHRAE-recommended ranges for temperature and humidity.
By specifying Green Span Profiles IMPs for both walls and roofing, operators could achieve:
The push for efficient and sustainable data centers is accelerating:
High-performance IMPs help operators achieve measurable results in energy efficiency, reliability, and sustainability.
Every data center operator wants a better PUE score, lower energy bills, and a stronger sustainability profile. While cutting-edge cooling and IT hardware upgrades matter, they can’t succeed in isolation. Efficiency starts with the foundation of the facility itself: the building envelope.
With Green Span Profiles’ insulated metal panels, operators can design data centers that are not only efficient and cost-effective but also aligned with the industry’s sustainability trajectory. From lowering PUE and CUE to delivering long-term ROI, the advantages are clear.
Contact Green Span Profiles today to learn how our high-performance insulated metal panels can help your next data center project achieve superior efficiency and sustainability.