What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Use less water by matching cooling technology and controls to the local climate, then verify the result against energy demand and watershed conditions. In hot, dry regions, the best plan is usually a portfolio: tune existing equipment, use outside-air or dry operation whenever weather allows, reserve evaporative cooling for periods when it provides a meaningful energy benefit, and consider liquid cooling or reclaimed water for suitable facilities. A water-free cooling mode is not automatically the lowest-impact option because it can increase electricity use and therefore water consumed by power generation.
Why cooling determines so much data-center water use
Servers turn nearly all of the electricity they consume into heat. A data center must move that heat out of the building continuously, and the heat-rejection method largely determines direct facility water demand.
In a conventional chilled-water plant, cooling towers reject heat by evaporating some water. The tower also discharges blowdown to prevent dissolved minerals from concentrating until they cause scale, corrosion or biological-control problems. Fresh or treated makeup water replaces both the evaporated water and the blowdown. The quantity depends on IT heat load, weather, tower and chiller design, water chemistry, controls and operating efficiency. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) explains the mechanisms and operating options in its Federal Energy Management Program guidance.
Some facilities use air-cooled chillers, dry coolers or direct outside air instead of evaporative towers. Those systems can sharply reduce on-site water use, but fans, pumps and compressors generally consume more electricity in hot weather. The resulting indirect water use at power plants, as well as local grid emissions, belongs in the design decision.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Do data centers use water to cool servers?
Sometimes. Water may evaporate in a cooling tower, circulate through a chilled-water loop, or carry heat away from high-density chips through a liquid-cooling loop. It does not necessarily contact the electronics, and a liquid loop is not automatically a water-free facility: the external heat-rejection system could still use a tower.
Microsoft describes a newer AI-oriented design in which coolant recirculates in a closed loop and air-cooled chillers reject heat. Microsoft says that particular design consumes zero water for cooling during operation; the statement applies to that design and does not mean the building has no water uses for sanitation, humidification or other services.
Start with a site-specific water-and-energy baseline
Before selecting equipment, establish what the facility uses now and what conditions drive the peaks. A useful baseline records:
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems- Hourly IT load, rack heat density and growth assumptions.
- Cooling-tower evaporation, blowdown and makeup volumes separately.
- Water withdrawals and consumption, with potable, reclaimed and other sources identified.
- Chiller, fan and pump electricity, plus the facility’s power usage effectiveness (PUE).
- Outdoor temperature, humidity and water temperature during the hottest and driest periods.
- Local watershed stress, drought restrictions, seasonal supply reliability and utility capacity.
Measure actual meters rather than inferring water use from a design rating. Compare normal operation, heat waves, maintenance events and partial-load periods. A design that looks efficient at annual average conditions can require substantial water or energy during the few weeks that determine resilience.
1. Tune controls before buying new cooling equipment
DOE notes that many facilities cool more aggressively than their IT equipment requires. Setpoints below current server guidance and unnecessarily narrow humidity bands increase chiller, fan and humidification demand. Simultaneous humidification and dehumidification is a particularly wasteful control condition.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Review temperature and humidity limits
- Collect the allowable inlet-temperature and humidity ranges for every server, storage system and network device, including equipment with the narrowest limits.
- Compare those ranges with building-automation setpoints and alarm limits.
- Widen bands only after checking sensor accuracy, rack-level hot spots and manufacturer requirements.
- Use trend data to confirm that the new limits remain stable during workload changes and outdoor extremes.
Sensor placement matters: a return-air sensor can miss a hot rack, while a poorly located supply sensor can cause the whole room to be overcooled. Validate readings at rack inlets and correct failed or drifting sensors.
Improve air management
Contain hot and cold aisles, seal bypass openings, balance airflow and remove unnecessary obstructions. Better air management can permit higher chilled-water temperatures and lower fan airflow, which DOE identifies as opportunities for chiller-energy savings. The size of the saving varies with climate, equipment and load; it should be verified with metered results.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Use weather and load analytics
Automated controls can select dry, economizer or evaporative modes from real-time weather and IT-load data rather than relying on a fixed seasonal schedule. Microsoft reports using weather data and operating analytics to audit facilities; that is a company example, not an independent performance guarantee. Set alarms for abnormal makeup-water flow, rising approach temperature, excessive blowdown and simultaneous heating and cooling.
2. Use outside air and dry operation when conditions permit
Outside-air economizers and dry coolers can reject heat without routine evaporative water use when outdoor temperature and humidity are within the equipment’s operating envelope. In a hot region, a hybrid plant can run dry for much of the year and add evaporative assistance during the hottest hours.
Microsoft describes one direct-air system that starts using water when outside air exceeds 85°F (29.4°C). That threshold is a Microsoft fleet description, not a universal engineering limit. Actual changeover depends on supply-air targets, dew point, filtration, altitude, equipment ratings and the site’s heat load. Require a model using local hourly weather data before adopting any threshold.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Design for the peak, not just the average
Dry systems may need larger coils, more fan power or backup mechanical cooling during heat waves. Check:
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →- Maximum supply-air temperature at the design outdoor temperature and humidity.
- Power availability when every dry cooler and fan runs at full speed.
- Redundancy during a coincident heat wave and equipment outage.
- Air quality, smoke, dust and filtration maintenance in the region.
- Noise, roof loading and space for heat-rejection equipment.
A hybrid approach can reduce annual water use without betting reliability on a dry mode that cannot meet the local summer peak.
3. Match liquid cooling to high-density workloads
Direct liquid cooling carries heat from processors or other IT components into a recirculating loop. It is most relevant where rack heat density makes room-air cooling inefficient or impractical, such as AI and accelerated-computing deployments.
DOE describes several arrangements, including tower-based and air-cooled heat rejection. Therefore, “liquid cooled” does not by itself establish a water-use outcome. Ask where the heat goes after it leaves the chip.
Questions to answer in a liquid-cooling design
- Is the coolant loop sealed and how often must it be serviced or replaced?
- Are pumps, manifolds, quick-disconnects and leak detection redundant?
- Can the facility support the rack density, floor loading and distribution piping?
- Does the external system use an evaporative tower, dry cooler or air-cooled chiller?
- How will technicians isolate a rack without taking down adjacent workloads?
- What happens to PUE and peak electrical demand at the hottest outdoor condition?
Microsoft’s closed-loop, air-cooled-chiller design is an example of avoiding evaporative cooling water during operations. It should be evaluated as a complete system, not generalized to every direct-to-chip installation.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
4. Reduce losses in existing cooling towers
Increase cycles of concentration carefully
Cycles of concentration describe how many times dissolved minerals are concentrated in tower water before blowdown. DOE guidance attributes the following result to its Cooling Tower Best Management Practice: increasing cycles from three to six reduces makeup-water requirements by 20% and blowdown by 50%. The figure is presented in the guidance without a year on the opened page and is not a guarantee for every tower.
Higher cycles can increase scale, corrosion and biological-control challenges. A water-treatment engineer should review conductivity limits, inhibitor chemistry, metallurgy, drift controls and local discharge rules before changing the setpoint.
Maintain heat exchangers, nozzles and filtration
Clean fill, eliminate clogged nozzles, maintain strainers and keep heat exchangers at their design approach temperature. Side-stream filtration can remove suspended solids and reduce fouling. DOE cautions that filtration alone does not reduce water use unless it enables an operational or demand reduction, such as safely increasing cycles or reducing cleaning blowdown.
Recover blowdown where the economics work
Reverse osmosis can treat cooling-tower blowdown and return permeate as makeup water, reducing freshwater demand. DOE also warns of higher electricity use, additional operations and maintenance, capital cost and a possible PUE penalty. Concentrate disposal, pretreatment and membrane replacement must be included in the water balance and permit review.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minute5. Use reclaimed or non-potable water responsibly
Reclaimed municipal wastewater, recycled process water and other non-potable supplies can reduce competition with drinking-water users when a dependable treatment and distribution system exists. AWS describes working with Loudoun Water on reclaimed-water supply and using on-site treatment. Such projects require utility agreements, treatment capacity, permits, backup supplies and community acceptance.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Alternative water is not impact-free. A drought can reduce reclaimed-water availability, while pumping and advanced treatment consume energy. Evaluate basin-level availability, ecological needs, seasonal reliability, concentrate disposal and the consequences of a service interruption. Google reported in a 2022 article that more than 25% of its data-center campuses used reclaimed or non-potable water; that is a historical, company-reported share from the article’s publication period, not a current industry-wide figure.
6. Measure WUE without misleading comparisons
Water usage effectiveness (WUE) is generally expressed in liters per kilowatt-hour of IT energy. The metric is useful only when its boundary is explicit. A disclosure may report withdrawal (water taken from a source), consumption (water not returned to the source), or a combination of cooling, humidification and other uses.
| Reported figure | Publisher and period | Boundary or qualification |
|---|---|---|
| 0.12 L/kWh | AWS, global withdrawal WUE for 2025, published in its sustainability disclosure accessed in 2026 | Withdrawal metric; company-reported global value |
| 0.27 L/kWh | Microsoft, average WUE for 2025, reported in 2026 | Company-reported average; compare only with matching definitions |
| 87% | Google, 2025 reporting | Share of freshwater withdrawal from sources rated low or medium risk of water depletion or scarcity |
| More than 25% | Google, 2022 article | Historical share of campuses using reclaimed or non-potable water; not a current figure |
Microsoft defines WUE as water used for cooling and humidification divided by IT-equipment energy. AWS labels its disclosed metric withdrawal WUE. Those differences mean the figures above are not a league table.
For internal decisions, record the numerator type, included uses, reporting period, IT-energy denominator, water source and local watershed stress. Add electricity-related water use when comparing a dry mechanical design with an evaporative design. A low facility WUE can coexist with high basin impact if the source is scarce; a higher WUE can be preferable where it avoids substantial grid water and uses a resilient reclaimed supply.
A practical decision framework for hot, dry sites
Score each candidate design against the same conditions rather than choosing a cooling label in isolation.
| Criterion | What to document |
|---|---|
| Direct water | Withdrawal and consumption, by use and source, at average and peak conditions |
| Electricity and indirect water | PUE, peak demand, local grid mix and power-sector water context |
| Climate performance | Temperature, dew point and heat-wave operation, including changeover limits |
| Workload fit | Rack density, liquid-cooling compatibility and expected growth |
| Supply resilience | Potable versus reclaimed source, drought restrictions and backup duration |
| Delivery risk | Capital cost, maintenance skills, permits, utility upgrades and failure modes |
Model at least an ordinary year, a design-day heat wave, a drought-restriction scenario and a major cooling-component outage. Select the option with the best total outcome for the site’s water basin and reliability requirements, not merely the lowest tank or meter reading.
Quick Recap
Common mistakes and how to correct them
- Assuming “water-free” means impact-free. Include additional electricity and grid-related water in the comparison.
- Applying an equipment vendor’s temperature threshold universally. Treat thresholds such as 85°F as system-specific and validate them with local weather and load models.
- Counting a closed chip loop as zero facility water. Inspect the external heat-rejection plant and all other building uses.
- Chasing a high cycles-of-concentration number without chemistry control. Test water quality, corrosion and scale risk before changing limits.
- Ranking operators by WUE alone. Match withdrawal versus consumption definitions, boundaries and reporting years.
- Relying on annual averages. Design for peak heat, drought restrictions and maintenance outages.
- Assuming reclaimed water is always available. Confirm treatment capacity, permits, seasonal reliability and a safe backup source.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
