Standardize air-side cooling across your data center

The evolving role of air-side cooling in modern data centers

As data centers continue to evolve alongside AI-driven workloads, increasing rack densities and hybrid cooling architectures, one assumption has proven resilient: air-side cooling remains critical to overall facility performance. Even as liquid cooling gains traction, a significant portion of infrastructure whether in white space, auxiliary rooms or mixed environments still relies on consistent, high-quality airflow and sensible cooling delivery.

The challenge today isn’t whether air handling is needed; it’s how to deliver it more efficiently, flexibly, and predictably across increasingly complex facility layouts.

Modern data centers must balance:

• Diverse room configurations (raised floor, slab, vertical layouts)
• Space constraints and footprint challenges
• Energy efficiency pressures tied to PUE targets
• Serviceability requirements in always-on environments
• The need for scalable, repeatable deployment models

Against this backdrop, the YORK® Mission Critical Computer Room Air Handler (MC CRAH) platform is designed to address a simple but essential question: How can operators standardize air-side cooling without compromising flexibility or performance?

Why flexibility now defines cooling success

As hyperscale and colocation operators rethink layouts to accommodate higher-density compute, the variation between spaces within a single facility is growing:

• Main data halls require high-capacity, airflow-optimized cooling
• Support and auxiliary rooms demand different airflow paths and footprints
• Expansion phases introduce new constraints and evolving standards

A single, rigid air-handling approach often falls short. What’s needed instead is a platform strategy – one that allows operators to deploy consistent technology across multiple room types without forcing compromises in airflow direction, service access, or installation approach.

The YORK® MC CRAH platform addresses this through horizontal (MCH) and vertical (MCV) configurations, enabling teams to match equipment to the physical realities of each space while maintaining design continuity across the facility.

Extending flexibility with small vertical CRAH units

As the YORK® MCH fan wall units have become widely adopted in data hall applications, a complementary need has emerged: smaller, purpose-built vertical CRAH units that can support both data hall use cases and auxiliary environments such as telecom rooms and UPS/battery spaces.

To address this, the expanded MC CRAH vertical portfolio introduces smaller-capacity units in the 8K, 16K and 24K CFM range, extending beyond the existing 30K and 60K configurations. These units are designed to integrate seamlessly into the broader MC CRAH platform while delivering targeted performance where it matters most.

These smaller CRAH units maintain the same foundational design priorities:

• High-efficiency ECM fan technology
• Fully integrated controls with graphical HMI
• Compact, service-friendly construction
• Flexible airflow configurations

The result is a more complete air-side solution – one that spans from large fan wall systems to targeted cooling in smaller but equally critical spaces.

Designed for mission-critical environments

Data centers are unforgiving environments. Cooling systems must perform continuously, predictably and efficiently – with little tolerance for disruption.

The MC CRAH platform is purpose-built for this reality, combining:

• Chilled-water air handling optimized for sensible cooling
• High-efficiency fan systems and airflow design
• Integrated controls with real-time visibility
• Factory-built configurations to simplify deployment

Together, these attributes support what matters most in mission-critical applications: cooling continuity, operational clarity and long-term reliability.

Solving real-world data center challenges

Beyond technical specifications, the value of an air-handling solution is best understood in terms of the problems it solves:

1. Adapting to varied room layouts

Facilities rarely offer identical conditions across all spaces. The availability of both horizontal and vertical configurations allows MC CRAH units to align with:

• Underfloor or overhead airflow strategies
• Compact auxiliary rooms
• Larger data hall deployments

This adaptability helps teams avoid the inefficiencies of forcing a single footprint into multiple use cases.

2. Reducing non-IT energy consumption

Air handling directly contributes to a facility’s non-IT power load. Improving airflow efficiency is therefore critical to reducing overall energy consumption.

MC CRAH units use:

• High-efficiency EC fans
• Optimized internal airflow pathways
• Low heat-dissipation cabinet design

These features help reduce the cooling energy burden, supporting better PUE performance over time.

3. Simplifying installation and deployment

Construction timelines and labor availability are ongoing challenges. Factory-built solutions that reduce on-site complexity are increasingly valuable.

MC CRAH supports:

• Compact, modular deployment
• Pre-integrated components
• Simplified installation workflows

This approach helps accelerate startup and commissioning timelines, especially in fast-track or phased builds.

4. Improving serviceability in always-on environments

Maintenance in mission-critical facilities must be predictable and minimally disruptive.

The platform includes:

• Gallery-side service access
• Clear access to fans, filters, and electrical sections
• Integrated system visibility via HMI

These features allow service tasks to be completed more efficiently, reducing operational risk.

MC CRAH performance and efficiency (at-a-glance)

When evaluating air-handling performance in a data center environment, airflow efficiency, capacity flexibility and operational control are central considerations.

Below are key performance and efficiency attributes of the YORK® MC CRAH platform:

• High-efficiency EC fan technology designed to deliver reliable airflow while minimizing energy consumption across continuous operations
• Airflow efficiency below 0.2 W/(m³/h), supporting lower energy use per unit of airflow delivered
• Optimized internal airflow design to reduce losses and improve overall cooling effectiveness
• Broad capacity range:

• Horizontal units: up to 800 kW
• Vertical units: up to 505 kW

• Low heat-dissipation cabinet construction, helping prevent unnecessary heat reintroduction into the space
• Integrated controls with graphical HMI, enabling real-time monitoring of alarms, conditions, and performance
• Open-protocol connectivity, ensuring seamless integration with building automation systems (BAS)

These attributes position MC CRAH as a platform capable of supporting baseline airflow requirements, higher-capacity environments and consistent efficiency.

A platform approach to scalability

As data centers expand in phases, consistency becomes just as important as performance. Operators need solutions that can scale without introducing fragmentation into infrastructure design.

The MC CRAH portfolio enables this through:

• Multiple size ranges across both configurations
• Consistent control architecture
• Repeatable installation approach

This makes it possible to standardize on one platform while adapting to:

• New halls
• Retrofit conditions
• Auxiliary cooling needs

The result is a system that scales with the facility, rather than requiring redesign at every stage.

Five considerations when evaluating air-side cooling

For teams evaluating air-handling solutions, several considerations help determine the right approach:

1. Align configuration to room function
Use vertical or horizontal units based on airflow direction, available space and maintenance access needs.

2. Prioritize airflow efficiency early
Optimizing fan performance and airflow paths early in design helps reduce long-term operating costs.

3. Standardize where possible
Applying a consistent platform across multiple spaces simplifies training, maintenance, and spare parts management.

4. Design for accessibility
Ensure service workflows are considered during layout planning – not after installation.

5. Plan for growth
Choose solutions that scale across capacity needs, layout changes and future expansion phases.

The takeaway

In today’s data center landscape, success depends on more than raw cooling capacity. It requires systems that adapt, scale and operate efficiently across every part of the facility.

The YORK® MC CRAH platform demonstrates that air-handling solutions can evolve alongside the environments they support – delivering not just airflow, but operational confidence, efficiency and long-term value.

For operators building the next generation of data center infrastructure, that combination is no longer optional – it’s essential.

Frequently asked questions

What is the YORK® MC CRAH designed for?

The YORK® MC CRAH is designed for mission-critical data center environments, providing reliable, efficient air-side cooling for data halls, auxiliary rooms and hybrid cooling applications.

What configurations are available in the YORK® MC CRAH?

MC CRAH is available in both horizontal (MCH) and vertical (MCV) configurations, allowing flexibility in airflow direction and installation to match different room layouts.

How does YORK® MC CRAH improve energy efficiency?

It uses high-efficiency EC fans, optimized airflow design and low heat-dissipation construction to reduce non-IT energy consumption and support improved PUE.

Can YORK® MC CRAH support hybrid cooling environments?

Yes, it plays a key role in hybrid architectures by supporting air-cooled portions of the facility and complementing liquid cooling systems.