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.

Demystifying Mechanical Ventilation: The Different Types and How They Can Benefit You

Jennifer Crowley
Jul 31, 2023
2 min read

Updated: Jul 9, 2024

Ceiling vent amidst square floating ceiling tiles — The best system for a particular application will depend on factors such as the size and layout of the building, the number of occupants, and the specific ventilation needs of the space.

Mechanical ventilation is an essential aspect of building design, particularly in modern construction, where structures are designed to be airtight for energy efficiency reasons. Ventilation systems help to improve indoor air quality by controlling the flow of air and moisture in and out of a building, which can have a significant impact on the health and well-being of the occupants.

There are several types of mechanical ventilation systems that are commonly used in buildings. In this blog post, we will explore the four main types of mechanical ventilation: supply ventilation, exhaust ventilation, balanced ventilation, and whole-house mechanical ventilation.

1. Supply Ventilation

Ceiling venting and ductwork — Supply ventilation systems pressurize the building, forcing stale air out of the building.

Supply ventilation is a type of mechanical ventilation system that introduces fresh air into a building through a supply duct. The air is typically filtered to remove pollutants and other contaminants before it is circulated into the building. Supply ventilation systems work by pressurizing the building, which forces stale air out through small cracks and leaks in the building envelope. This can be done using a centralized system, with air being brought in through a single duct and distributed through a series of vents, or through a decentralized system, where individual units are installed in each room or area. This type of system is ideal for buildings located in areas with high levels of outdoor pollution, as it helps to maintain a steady flow of fresh, clean air.

2. Exhaust Ventilation

Exhaust vents connected to a ducting system — Exhaust ventilation creates negative pressure in the building, which draws in fresh air from outside.

Exhaust ventilation is a type of mechanical ventilation system that removes stale air from a building through an exhaust duct. The system works by creating negative pressure in the building, which draws in fresh air from outside through small cracks and leaks in the building envelope. Exhaust ventilation systems are typically used in buildings with high levels of indoor pollutants, such as kitchens and bathrooms. They are also commonly used in conjunction with supply ventilation systems to maintain a balance between the intake and exhaust of air in the building. This can be done using a centralized or decentralized system and is often used in conjunction with supply ventilation to ensure a continuous supply of fresh air.

3. Balanced Ventilation

Dual ventilation ducts, one intake and one exhaust — Balanced ventilation introduces fresh air into a building through a supply duct and removes stale air through an exhaust duct.

Balanced ventilation is a type of mechanical ventilation system that introduces fresh air into a building through a supply duct and removes stale air through an exhaust duct. The system works by maintaining a balance between the intake and exhaust of air, which helps to maintain a steady flow of fresh air into the building. Balanced ventilation systems are ideal for buildings with a moderate level of outdoor pollutants and a relatively constant temperature and humidity level.

4. Whole-house Mechanical Ventilation

Residential house ducting floorplan — In a home, vents and ducts are connected to your HVAC system to ventilate air.

This system is used to change the air in the entire house; it is often used with a central air-conditioning and heating system, which can be either a centralized or decentralized system.

Each type of mechanical ventilation system has its own advantages and disadvantages. The best system for a particular application will depend on factors such as the size and layout of the building, the number of occupants, and the specific ventilation needs of the space.

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