The Enertech Edge – Snow Louvers for Data Center Buildings: Protecting Mission-Critical Air Intakes in Winter Conditions
Data centers depend on predictable airflow, stable environmental conditions, and continuous operation. In cold and snowy climates, exterior intake louvers can become an overlooked point of vulnerability: wind-driven snow can enter the mechanical system, load filters, wet ductwork, corrode equipment, and create reliability risks for cooling systems serving high-density IT loads. Snow louvers—often paired with snow screens, drainable blades, heat trace, and properly designed intake plenums—help protect these mission-critical air paths while maintaining the airflow capacity required by the facility.
This issue of The Enertech Edge includes discussions of:
- Why Snow Control Matters in Data Centers
- What Makes a Snow Louver Different
- Eliminating Separate Wall Hoods
- Data Center Applications
- Key Design Considerations
- Standards, Ratings, and Specification Notes
- Recommended Design Approach
- Practical Checklist for Owners and Design Teams
About
Curtis Jackson is Director of Engineering at United Enertech, where he oversees the engineering, testing, and continuous development of commercial HVAC air movement and life safety products. With more than two decades of industry experience, his work focuses on product design optimization, performance validation, code compliance, and manufacturing efficiency to deliver reliable solutions for today’s ventilation and life safety applications.
August 2026