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.

Electrostatic Air Filter vs. HEPA: Which One Should You Choose?

Jennifer Crowley
Jul 31, 2023
3 min read

Updated: Jul 9, 2024

An electrostatic filter sits beside a HEPA filter — Electrostatic Air Filter and HEPA technologies have their pros and cons let's explore their differences to help you make an informed decision on which will work best for your business..

When it comes to air filtration, there are two popular options; the Electrostatic Air Filter vs. HEPA. Both technologies have their pros and cons, and choosing between them can be confusing. In this blog, we’ll compare electrostatic air filters and HEPA filters to explore their differences to help you make an informed decision.

What are Electrostatic Air Filters?

The main idea of electrostatic filters is to utilize static electricity to attract and trap particles on the charged fibres and carbon paths. So instead of getting pulled through and being blocked by filter material like standard filters, the particles are attracted to the filter media.

Comparison chart of ionized vs. polarized technology — Let's compare Ionized vs. Polarized technology side by side.

You will encounter two standard electrostatic technologies when searching the different types of electrostatic filters. In this article, we will be comparing the two:

Electrostatic Ionized Technology
Electrostatic Polarized Technology

Unlike the more common ionizing technology found in most electrostatic air filters, polarized-media air cleaners do an exceptional job of removing sub-micron (<1 micron in size) particles without the efficiency loss associated with precipitating electronic air cleaners. In addition, as each particle attaches itself to the fibre strands, it, in turn, becomes part of the collection process, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the filter as it loads. Polarized media also produces no ozone – making the filter better, not only in performance but for our health.

Pros of Electrostatic Polarized Air Filters:

Polarized-media air cleaners do an exceptional job of removing sub-micron (<1 micron in size) particles without the efficiency loss associated with precipitating electronic air cleaners
Increase HVAC system efficiency
They’re relatively inexpensive compared to HEPA filters.

What are HEPA Filters?

HEPA filters are made of tightly woven fibres that trap airborne particles as air passes through. They’re designed to capture particles as small as 0.3 microns, including dust, pollen, pet dander, and even viruses.

HEPA filters are designed to remove 99.97% of particles that are 0.3 microns or larger in size; This includes particles such as smoke, bacteria, and viruses. Since HEPA filters are so efficient, they cause a higher pressure drop than filters with MERV ratings. Given their high efficiency, HEPA filters are best suited for rooms where air quality is a concern, such as in hospitals, laboratories, and cleanrooms.

Many HVAC systems are not designed for HEPA filters, but these filters are available as portable air cleaners or vacuum cleaners. They can be used in homes to improve indoor air quality, particularly for people with allergies or respiratory issues.

Pros of HEPA HVAC Filters:

They’re highly effective at capturing airborne particles, including viruses and bacteria.
They’re ideal for people with allergies or respiratory issues.

Cons of HEPA HVAC Filters:

Not as cost-effective.
Decreased HVAC airflow.

Electrostatic Air Filter vs. HEPA: Which is Better?

Both the electrostatic air filter and HEPA filter have their strengths and weaknesses. The choice between the two will depend on your specific needs. However, the Blade Air Pro Filter Series is the best option for businesses looking for energy savings and easier maintenance while maintaining better filtration than traditional filters. You can improve indoor air quality while lowering energy consumption by up to 75% and reducing maintenance costs by up to 35%.

Utilizing active polarization fields to bind the micro-particulates together that standard filters let pass, capture and kill viruses, bacteria, mould, and removes VOCs and other harmful particulates. This field binds the micro-particulates together, deactivates the viruses/bacteria and traps them in the filter.