AI’s Energy Appetite: What Data Centers Mean for the Future of Electricity Prices

Discover how AI-driven data centers are reshaping electricity demand, prices, and why smarter HVAC and efficiency are critical for sustainable growth.

Ava Montini

Jan 27, 2026

Written by

Published on

Powering intelligence, shaping energy

Artificial intelligence has gone from “what if” to “what now.” We use it to draft reports, analyze data, streamline workflows, and even generate design ideas. But while the results appear on our screens instantly, what powers them is anything but invisible.

Behind every AI tool is a data center; rows of servers drawing massive amounts of power and generating equally massive amounts of heat. And with AI adoption soaring, those facilities are putting real pressure on our electricity grids.

Bloomberg recently reported that in PJM, the largest U.S. grid, capacity prices jumped sharply as AI-driven data center demand climbed (Bloomberg). For operators, this is a direct hit to energy budgets.

So while AI is exciting, it comes with a new operational reality: efficiency in cooling, airflow, and HVAC isn’t optional. It’s the difference between runaway costs and sustainable growth.

Why AI is different from past computing booms

Previous waves of digital growth (like cloud adoption) drove steady data center expansion. But AI is different. Training large models consumes enormous amounts of energy. The International Energy Agency estimates that data center electricity use could nearly double by 2030 to around 1,000 TWh, roughly equal to Japan’s entire annual consumption (IEA).

And it’s not just training. Inference: the everyday process of users asking questions or running AI tasks is multiplying demand across millions of devices. Goldman Sachs forecasts a 165% increase in data center power demand by 2030, largely due to AI (Goldman Sachs).

Cooling: a hidden energy driver

When people think about data centers, they picture racks of servers. But behind that computing load is another energy giant: cooling.

HVAC, chillers, pumps, and fans often make up 30–40% of total energy use in data centers (U.S. DOE). That means the “support systems” keeping servers at safe temperatures can rival the IT equipment itself in energy demand.

And because these systems run 24/7, even small inefficiencies snowball:

A high-resistance filter forces fans to draw extra kilowatts all day, every day.
A dirty coil reduces heat transfer, stretching compressor runtimes.
A miscalibrated damper throws airflow off balance, raising both costs and emissions.

Clogged filters can cut supply airflow by over 35%, driving higher fan power and cooling loads (MDPI). Others highlight how loaded filters in constant-speed systems directly increase electricity use (University of Texas at Austin).

Now scale that across a hyperscale AI-driven facility. A 3% efficiency penalty may look small on paper, but in practice, it can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars annually and add unnecessary CO₂e to your footprint.

That’s why low-pressure, high-efficiency filtration matters. It cuts resistance without sacrificing capture, reducing fan energy hour after hour. For operators under pressure from rising power prices and sustainability goals, it’s one of the simplest ways to shrink cooling costs while protecting uptime.

Why efficiency pays off more now

Energy savings have always lowered costs. But as grids get stressed and data center demand rises, the value of each saved kilowatt is climbing. Bloomberg recently reported that capacity prices on PJM, the largest U.S. grid, have spiked because of new data center growth (Bloomberg).

In practical terms, this changes the math:

A coil cleaning that once took years to pay for itself can now pay back in just a few months.
Smarter controls and calibrated ventilation keep you protected when prices swing.
Low-pressure filtration quietly reduces fan energy every hour, stacking up bigger savings as electricity prices rise.

The bottom line is that efficiency has become one of the fastest and most reliable ways to control operating costs in an unpredictable energy market.

Building smarter, not just bigger

For operators, the roadmap isn’t a mystery. The tools are already here:

Low-pressure filtration to keep fans efficient hour after hour.
Adaptive cooling strategies like variable-speed fans, economizers, and containment to right-size energy use.
Monitoring-based commissioning and diagnostics to stop efficiency losses before they become routine.
Load shifting and grid-aware operations to tap cleaner, cheaper hours of power (IEA).

Every watt counts

As AI expands, data centers will continue to carry a heavier share of global electricity demand. That makes efficiency less of an option and more of an operating requirement.

The lesson is simple: efficiency and reliability are not competing goals. When facilities prioritize both, they not only manage rising energy costs but also reduce their carbon footprint in measurable, reportable ways. AI may be shaping the demand curve, but how operators respond will shape the industry's long-term sustainability.

Energy Efficiency and Indoor Air Quality: Striking the Right Balance

Jennifer Crowley
Mar 25, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Jul 8, 2024

Bright white office interior with exposed ducting and a lot of natural light — As buildings become more airtight to conserve energy, healthy IAQ becomes increasingly challenging.

In the pursuit of sustainable building practices, achieving energy efficiency is a top priority. However, this goal must be balanced with another critical aspect of building performance: indoor air quality (IAQ). As buildings become more airtight to conserve energy, maintaining healthy IAQ becomes increasingly challenging. In this blog post, we will delve into the importance of striking the right balance between energy efficiency and IAQ, exploring strategies to achieve both objectives effectively.

The Importance of Indoor Air Quality: Indoor air quality plays a significant role in occupant health, productivity, and overall well-being. Poor IAQ can lead to various health issues, including respiratory problems, allergies, and fatigue. Additionally, it can impact cognitive function and comfort levels, ultimately affecting occupant satisfaction and performance. Therefore, ensuring high IAQ is essential for creating healthy and productive indoor environments.

Challenges of Energy Efficiency Measures: While energy efficiency measures are crucial for reducing environmental impact and operational costs, they can sometimes compromise IAQ. Strategies such as air sealing, insulation, and mechanical ventilation systems may inadvertently lead to indoor pollutants being trapped inside buildings or inadequate ventilation, resulting in poor IAQ. Balancing energy efficiency measures with IAQ considerations is therefore paramount to avoid adverse health effects and ensure occupant comfort.

Strategies for Achieving Balance

Image of indoor ceiling ventilation duct from below with a towering ficus tree in the forefront — Enhance IAQ with high-efficiency air filtration systems without compromising energy efficiency.

Proper Ventilation Design: Implementing effective ventilation systems is essential for maintaining adequate indoor air circulation and minimizing pollutant buildup. Incorporating demand-controlled ventilation systems that adjust airflow based on occupancy levels and pollutant concentrations can optimize energy efficiency while ensuring good IAQ.
Air Filtration Technologies: Invest in high-efficiency air filtration systems capable of capturing a wide range of indoor pollutants, including dust, pollen, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and pathogens. HEPA filters and electrostatic precipitators are examples of advanced filtration technologies that can remove airborne contaminants, enhancing IAQ without compromising energy efficiency.
Indoor Air Quality Monitoring: Employ real-time IAQ monitoring systems to continuously assess indoor air conditions and detect any deviations from acceptable levels. By promptly identifying IAQ issues, building operators can implement corrective actions and fine-tune HVAC systems to maintain optimal air quality while minimizing energy consumption.
Building Material Selection: Choose low-emission building materials and furnishings to minimize the release of indoor pollutants such as formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter. Opting for eco-friendly and sustainable materials can contribute to healthier indoor environments and reduce the need for continuous ventilation to dilute indoor pollutants.
Integrated Design Approach: Adopt an integrated design approach that considers both energy efficiency and IAQ from the initial stages of building planning and design. Collaboration between architects, engineers, HVAC specialists, and indoor environmental quality experts is essential to develop holistic solutions that prioritize occupant health and comfort while optimizing energy performance.

Outdoor ventilation units on top of a buuilding — Recalibrating ventilation systems can result in healthier and more productive environments.

Case Study: Balancing Energy Efficiency and IAQ

In a recent project, a commercial office building implemented a series of energy efficiency measures to reduce operational costs and environmental impact. However, occupants began reporting symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and respiratory irritation, indicating potential IAQ issues. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the building's ventilation system was not providing adequate fresh air intake, leading to indoor air stagnation and pollutant buildup. By recalibrating the ventilation system and upgrading air filtration technologies, the building successfully improved IAQ while maintaining energy efficiency, resulting in healthier and more productive indoor environments for occupants.

Achieving energy efficiency without compromising indoor air quality requires a careful balance of strategies and considerations. By implementing proper ventilation design, advanced air filtration technologies, real-time IAQ monitoring, sustainable building materials, and an integrated design approach, buildings can optimize both energy performance and IAQ. By striking the right balance between energy efficiency and IAQ, we can create healthier, more sustainable indoor environments for occupants while reducing environmental impact and operational costs.

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