Hewlett-Packard has expanded its cache of tools and services to help reduce energy costs in data centers with a new 3-dimensional thermal mapping offering to better detect and manage hot and cold airflow.

HP has been offering data center energy efficiency assessment services since 2003. The new Thermal Zone Mapping offering is the latest addition to its "comprehensive" assessment offerings, the highest level of analysis the company provides for data centers, said Brian Brouillette, HP VP of mission critical network and educational services, in an interview.

Using sensors placed throughout the data center along with mapping and analysis software, the new thermal zone mapping service helps customers identify how data center air conditioning settings can be adjusted to more efficiently cool zones within the facility.

"This allows you to tune air conditioning to get optimal use," said Brouillette. It can also help customers think through "failure scenarios and what if scenarios" in case air conditioning units failed near mission critical systems, he said.

The Thermal Zone Mapping offering, along with HP's comprehensive assessment services, are priced around $100,000, but can help customers reduce their annual data center energy costs by 10% to 45%, he said.

HP also offers less intense assessment services, including entry-level "quick assessment" services that are priced starting at around $10,000, says Brouillette. The quick assessment is based on observations by HP staff of the customer data center, as well as interview with the data center staff.