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.

Achieving Green Building Standards Certifications with Superior Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Practices

Jennifer Crowley
Mar 11, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Jul 8, 2024

Industrial Worker duo checking IAQ meaurements — Transparent reporting of IAQ data enables building managers to make data-driven decisions and implement targeted interventions to improve indoor air quality over time.

Welcome to Blade's latest blog post, where we explore the critical intersection of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and green building standards. As leaders in air quality solutions, we understand the importance of creating sustainable and healthy indoor environments. In this comprehensive review, we'll delve into how compliance with advanced green building standards, such as the WELL Building Standard and RESET, can significantly enhance IAQ in commercial spaces.

Understanding Green Building Standards:

Green building standards aim to promote sustainability, energy efficiency, and occupant well-being in the built environment. They encompass a range of criteria related to building design, construction, operation, and maintenance. While traditional green building standards focus primarily on energy efficiency and environmental impact, advanced standards like WELL and RESET prioritize occupant health and comfort, including IAQ.

The WELL Building Standard:

The WELL Building Standard is a performance-based certification system that focuses on enhancing human health and well-being through the built environment. It addresses seven core concepts, including air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind. Within the air concept, WELL places a strong emphasis on IAQ by setting stringent requirements for indoor air quality parameters, ventilation, filtration, and pollutant control measures.

Compliance with the WELL Standard involves implementing strategies to minimize indoor air pollutants, enhance ventilation systems, and promote IAQ monitoring and maintenance practices. By achieving WELL certification, commercial buildings can demonstrate their commitment to providing healthy indoor environments for occupants, leading to improved employee productivity, satisfaction, and overall well-being.

The RESET Standard:

RESET is a building certification program focused specifically on indoor air quality monitoring and management. It utilizes real-time monitoring technology to continuously track key IAQ parameters, including particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon dioxide (CO2), temperature, and humidity. RESET certification requires adherence to strict IAQ performance criteria and the implementation of proactive measures to maintain healthy indoor air.

By integrating real-time IAQ monitoring systems, commercial buildings can effectively identify IAQ issues, optimize ventilation strategies, and ensure compliance with RESET standards. The transparent reporting of IAQ data enables building managers to make data-driven decisions and implement targeted interventions to improve indoor air quality over time.

The Benefits of Green Building Standards for IAQ:

Compliance with advanced green building standards offers numerous benefits for IAQ in commercial spaces, including:

Improved Occupant Health and Comfort: By prioritizing IAQ, green building standards create healthier and more comfortable indoor environments for occupants, reducing the risk of respiratory problems, allergies, and other health issues.
Enhanced Productivity and Performance: Good IAQ has been shown to positively impact employee productivity, morale, and cognitive function. By investing in IAQ improvements, businesses can boost overall performance and competitiveness.
·Regulatory Compliance and Recognition: Achieving certification under green building standards demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and occupant well-being, enhancing the reputation and marketability of commercial properties.

The intersection of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and green building standards represents a significant opportunity for enhancing occupant health, comfort, and sustainability in commercial spaces. Compliance with advanced standards such as the WELL Building Standard and RESET enables businesses to create healthier indoor environments, improve IAQ performance, and reap numerous benefits, including enhanced occupant well-being and productivity.

At Blade, we're committed to supporting businesses in achieving their IAQ and sustainability goals through innovative solutions and expertise. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your commercial property meet and exceed green building standards while prioritizing IAQ excellence.

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