Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) is the go-to metric for measuring how efficiently a data center uses energy. Operators rely on it because it directly connects infrastructure efficiency to business performance.

With a total of 7 phases, you need a checklist to stay organized and avoid slip-ups as you handle inventory, data security, equipment removal, asset management, site cleanup, and the final review. Keep everything on track by setting goals, picking a manager, making a timeline and budget, checking contracts, spotting risks, and getting permits.

Decommissioning CRAC (Computer Room Air Conditioning) or CRAH (Computer Room Air Handling) units can improve Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) at data centers by reducing unnecessary cooling energy consumption, eliminating overcapacity, and improving overall cooling efficiency.

Decommissioning idle servers—also known as "zombie servers"—can significantly improve a data center's Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) by eliminating unnecessary energy consumption and reducing cooling demand without affecting productive IT load.

Decommissioning abandoned cabling in data centers improves Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) by enhancing airflow, reducing cooling requirements, and improving operational efficiency — all of which help reduce total facility power, the numerator in the PUE equation.

To improve Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) in a data center, operators can decommission or consolidate a variety of non-IT infrastructure and underutilized assets that consume energy without directly supporting the compute load.

Decommissioning legacy UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) systems can significantly improve Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) at data centers by reducing electrical losses, cooling demand, and maintenance overhead associated with outdated and inefficient infrastructure.

Decommissioning unused Power Distribution Units (PDUs) and electrical circuits in a data center can significantly improve Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) by reducing parasitic energy losses, minimizing unnecessary heat generation, and enhancing electrical efficiency.