In today’s data-driven world, thermal and energy efficiency are more than operational concerns—they’re business-critical.
With cooling systems accounting for up to 40% of a data center’s total energy use (U.S. Department of Energy. “DOE Announces $40 Million for More Efficient Cooling for Data Centers.” (2023), operators are rethinking every element of their thermal infrastructure. That starts with motors.
So, what are the best motors for data center cooling?
Traditional motors were never built for the demands of modern digital infrastructure. They’re heavy, generate excess heat, and often rely on global supply chains and materials prone to volatility. ECM’s patented PCB Stator motor technology—designed using our PrintStator platform—offers a smarter, more sustainable alternative. These motors are efficient, compact, and purpose-built for the future of data center operations.
Redefining Data Center Motor Efficiency
When it comes to data center motor efficiency, axial flux PCB Stator motors offer significant advantages. In a recent case study, we show how PCB Stator motors deliver substantial efficiency gains over incumbent EC motor technology. Read the case study.
Why? Because these motors:
- Maintain a flat efficiency curve, providing consistently high performance across a wide range of operating points
- Operate with up to 94% peak efficiency
- Enable precise control for optimized airflow, minimizing unnecessary energy expenditure
- Reduce maintenance costs and downtime
- Minimize transportation and installation costs
The result? Motors that contribute to cooler environments, better thermal performance, and fewer energy losses across the system.
From Efficiency to Total Cost of Ownership
Energy efficiency is just the start. Total cost of ownership (TCO) includes maintenance, downtime, installation, and even logistics. ECM’s PCB Stator motors are designed to reduce all of the above.
For example, in another recent case study on total cost of ownership in data centers, we found that ECM motors’ compact form factor allowed significantly more units per shipping container. In this application, up to 2.45 times more ECM motors could fit in a single container compared to the baseline traditional motor (414 units vs. 1,014 units per 40-foot container). When compared to the next most space-efficient configuration (645 units), ECM motors still deliver a notable 57% increase in container capacity. This reduction in container usage—calculated based on weight and volume capacities—leads to significantly lower shipping costs per motor and supports a more streamlined, cost-efficient supply chain.
Additional TCO benefits include:
- Longer service life due to reduced thermal stress
- Lower maintenance costs from simplified, direct-drive architecture
- Faster integration with fewer supporting components
In one deployment, the estimated return on investment for transitioning to ECM motors was under 18 months—a timeline that reflects both operational improvements and long-term cost savings. This payback timeline factors in energy savings, reduced shipping costs, longer motor life, and lower maintenance—based on modeling from our data center deployments where combined savings offset upfront investment in under 18 months. See the full breakdown here.
Reducing Heat, Managing Materials
For sustainability-focused teams, ECM motors also support broader carbon and efficiency goals—further solidifying them among the best motors for data center cooling in today’s demanding infrastructure landscape. Thermal efficiency also supports a broader environmental objective: reducing embodied carbon. While ECM motors typically leverage high-performance rare earth magnets (such as neodymium), our software also supports design and optimization with alternative materials like ferrite and samarium cobalt, offering flexibility based on application and sustainability goals.
Additionally, ECM motors:
- Use up to 70% less copper than conventional motors
- Eliminate steel laminations entirely
- Reduce motor weight and materials for lower manufacturing and shipping impact
- Require fewer materials for mechanical integration—lighter motors mean less structural support is needed for mounting and housing
PCB Stators are also recyclable through existing e-waste channels, aligning with end-of-life sustainability goals. Additionally, ECM-designed rotors allow for easy removal of magnets, making it easier to recycle and reclaim high-value materials like neodymium at the end of the product’s life cycle.
For more, see the World Green Building Council’s “Bringing Embodied Carbon Upfront” report.
What This Means for Data Center Operators
Data center operators today are looking for more than just energy savings. They’re looking to:
- Reduce heat in data centers to extend infrastructure lifespan
- Optimize energy-efficient cooling without sacrificing uptime
- Meet internal and regulatory sustainability goals
- Minimize risk from global supply chains and material dependencies
With PrintStator, ECM empowers partners to design motors precisely for their airflow, space, and integration requirements—then supports them with prototyping and scalable production services.
In a world of increasing density and complexity, choosing the best motors for data center cooling is one of the simplest and most impactful decisions an operator can make.
Want to learn more? Dive into our data center case studies:
Or connect with us to explore a purpose-built motor for your next project.
