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Why Energy Efficiency Is Becoming the Real Currency

As global power demand surges from AI and renewables reshape the grid, businesses must turn to energy efficiency to cut costs, reduce risk, and stay resilient.

Ava Montini

Oct 20, 2025

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For the first time in history, renewables have overtaken coal as the world’s largest source of electricity, making up 34.3% of global power generation in the first half of 2025. (The Guardian) Wind and solar are leading the charge, but the global energy landscape is entering a new and more complex era — one defined not just by how we produce power, but by how much we use.


And lately, usage is spiking.


The AI Boom Is Rewriting the Energy Equation

From data centers to chip foundries, the AI boom has ignited a new kind of industrial revolution. Major tech firms (such as Nvidia, Microsoft and others) are no longer waiting for the U.S. grid to catch up; they’re building their own power plants. In fact, one analysis finds that electricity costs in some regions near large AI data centre installations have surged up to 267% compared with five years ago. (Bloomberg)



It’s not just abstract. In the U.S., wholesale electricity prices that would have been modest in 2020 are now far higher in data-centre hotspots. (Sandbox)


Why is this relevant?

  • These high-demand loads strain the grid, making the cost of electricity (and grid services) higher for everyone.

  • The more power-hungry the infrastructure becomes, the greater the business risk for enterprises that rely on stable, affordable energy.

  • As grid infrastructure lags behind demand, companies and organizations have to ask: What control do we have over our energy consumption?


When Power Becomes a Premium

Every kilowatt-hour now carries more weight, especially for companies operating large buildings or complex HVAC systems (sound familiar?). Efficiency isn’t just an ESG metric anymore; it’s a business imperative tied directly to cost-control and resilience.



We’re now at a moment where:

  • Renewables are expanding fast, but demand is rising even faster in some tech/industrial sectors. For example, the International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that electricity demand from data centres will more than double by 2030 to around 945 TWh — “more than four times faster than the growth of total electricity consumption from all other sectors”. (IEA)

  • Some regions are seeing localized shortages, transmission constraints and higher wholesale power prices. In the U.S., wholesale electricity prices in several markets were up by 40-80 % in 2025 compared with 2024. (Construction Physics)

  • Organizations that wait for the “grid fix” may find themselves paying a premium (or exposed to reliability risk) in the meantime.


Put simply: If you can’t fully control your energy supply, you must control your energy use. Efficiency becomes the operational hedge.


The Efficiency Imperative

Here’s where the story turns from macro trends into actionable insight. The good news: The same technologies driving smarter AI are also enabling smarter buildings and systems. Intelligent filtration, automation, low-pressure HVAC systems, demand-response strategies — these are the tools to control the energy side of the business.


Here are three reasons why now is the time to focus on performance and efficiency:

  1. Cost Avoidance Becomes Value Creation

    With energy prices under pressure and demand growth uncertain, reducing consumption becomes a direct cost-mitigation strategy.– Efficiency improvements often pay back faster when baseline energy costs are rising.


  2. Grid Risk = Business Risk

    Relying solely on external supply (even if green) is a vulnerability; the more you rely on the grid, the more you’re exposed to spikes, shortages or regulatory premium pricing.– Being energy-efficient gives you more independence and control.


  3. Sustainability Meets Differentiation

    With the global pivot to renewables (for example, the projection that global renewable capacity additions between 2025-2030 will be ~4,600 GW) IEA — the organisations that get ahead now won’t just be “green” — they’ll be efficient green. That matters for brand, operations, risk profile.


When you think about building automation, indoor air quality and HVAC systems, you’re often dealing with the largest energy loads after lighting in a built environment. By focusing on filtration, optimization and smart control, you’re reducing both the peak load and the total energy used, which in the current climate is exactly the kind of strategic leverage organizations need.


  • Yes: the news about renewables overtaking coal is encouraging — that shift shows progress. But it also hides a key truth: demand is increasing fast, thanks in part to data, AI, buildings and more.

  • That means supply-side improvements alone aren’t enough. They must be matched by demand-side discipline (i.e., efficiency).

  • Organizations that act now to optimize their energy consumption will be better positioned, from cost, risk and sustainability standpoints, in the years ahead.


So whether you’re managing a campus, commercial building or industrial facility: don’t wait for the grid to “catch up.” Focus on what you control. Because in this new power era, efficiency is the real currency.



MORE INFORMATION

  • To explore available energy-efficient upgrades and funding programs supporting sustainable building projects, visit our Energy Grants page.


  • Learn how our Pro Filter's are helping organizations reduce energy use and operating costs while improving air quality across their facilities.

How to Increase Employee Productivity at Work

  • Writer: Jennifer Crowley
    Jennifer Crowley
  • Jul 31, 2023
  • 5 min read

Updated: Jul 9, 2024

Group of coworkers sitting around a round table brainstorming
The more productive a company is, the easier it is to establish organizational growth and create a healthy work environment.

With the start of a new year, discovering how to improve employee productivity and learning to maintain it is a crucial goal for any organization. When a company is productive, it increases profitability, lowers production costs and improves customer service and business relationships. The more productive a company is, the easier it is to establish organizational growth and create a healthy work environment.


As the needs of employees have evolved significantly over time, it has become essential to cater to their needs. Below we look at five effective strategies to improve worker efficiency in your organization.


1. Effective Employee Onboarding

Employee onboarding is an essential part of any successful organization. It is the process of introducing new employees to the organization and its culture and providing them with the necessary knowledge and resources to perform their job well. Effective employee onboarding can help an organization create a productive work environment by providing new employees with the tools, resources, and support needed to succeed.


When new employees are onboarded effectively, they quickly acclimate to the organization, its culture, and their coworkers. This allows them to start quickly contributing to the organization’s success and build strong relationships with their colleagues. Effective onboarding also helps new hires understand the organization’s values, expectations, and policies, which can help foster a productive work environment.


By providing new employees with the necessary knowledge and resources to be successful, organizations can create a culture where employees feel valued and motivated to contribute. In addition, employee onboarding helps to ensure that everyone is working towards the same goals and that each team member understands their role and responsibilities. This helps create a work environment where everyone works together to achieve success.


It is essential to properly onboard employees to maximize productivity and make them feel welcome in their new work environment. To achieve this, plan the onboarding process and divide it into different phases. For example, welcome your new employees with a personalized email, provide them with the necessary gadgets and resources, and offer training during their first few days and weeks in the company. Doing so will help build a strong foundation for their journey with your organization.


2. Focus on Effective Communication

Effective communication is an essential skill for any organization to cultivate a productive work environment. Effective communication helps ensure everyone in the workplace is on the same page, leading to increased efficiency and productivity. Effective communication allows for clear and concise messages to be sent, enabling employees to understand the expectations and objectives of the organization. Additionally, effective communication will help keep employees motivated and engaged, as they will know what is expected of them and why.


Effective communication also helps to foster a positive work environment where employees feel respected and valued. When employees can understand and discuss their ideas and concerns with their coworkers and supervisors, it helps to create a sense of trust and connection. This trust and connection will help to open the door for more creative and innovative ideas, which can help the organization progress and reach new heights. Effective communication also helps reduce misunderstandings and conflicts within the workplace, allowing employees to work together in harmony.


3. Reward Employees

Rewarding employees is an effective way for an organization to cultivate a productive work environment. Rewarding employees helps to create a positive work culture, encourages engagement, and increases motivation. When employees are recognized and rewarded for their efforts, it reinforces positive behaviours and encourages them to continue to strive for excellence. When employees feel appreciated and valued for their contributions, they are more likely to take ownership of their work and invest in the organization’s future.


Rewarding employees also helps to foster a sense of loyalty and commitment to the organization. Studies have shown that when employees are rewarded for their work, they are more likely to stay with the organization for a more extended period, reducing company employee turnover.


Rewarding employees helps build trust between the organization and its employees, which is essential for creating a productive work environment. Recognizing and rewarding employees for their efforts can create a positive, productive, and collaborative work environment.


4. Increase Employee Productivity with Healthy Indoor Air Quality

Healthy indoor air quality (IAQ) is essential for organizations to cultivate a productive work environment. However, poor air quality can lead to significant health issues for employees, such as fatigue, headaches, and respiratory problems. This can result in decreased productivity, poor morale, and increased absenteeism.


Organizations should take steps to ensure that air quality is maintained at a healthy level. This includes controlling sources of indoor air pollutants such as cleaning products, paints, furniture, and carpets. Additionally, proper ventilation is essential to ensure stale air is exchanged with fresh air. This helps to reduce the concentration of pollutants in the air and also helps maintain comfortable indoor temperatures.


They should also consider investing in air cleaning and purification systems. These systems use filters to remove airborne particles and contaminants, ensuring the air is clean and healthy. Additionally, organizations should implement policies to ensure that employees are aware of the importance of indoor air quality and take steps to reduce sources of air pollution.


By taking steps to maintain healthy indoor air quality, organizations can create a productive work environment. Employees will be healthier and have the energy and focus on being more productive. This has a positive impact on the overall success of the organization.


5. Collect Feedback

Collecting employee feedback helps an organization cultivate a productive work environment in various ways. By gathering employee feedback, organizations can gain valuable insights into how employees feel about their jobs, colleagues, and the overall work environment. This information can be used to make improvements that can help create a more positive and productive environment. For example, if employees express dissatisfaction with the physical workspace, the organization can use that feedback to make changes that can make the space more comfortable and conducive to productivity.


In addition, gathering feedback can help organizations understand how employees feel about their roles and how they are being managed. This can help managers identify areas where employees need more support or resources to be successful in their roles or if employees feel their work is not being recognized or appreciated.


Finally, collecting feedback from employees can help organizations cultivate a productive work environment by fostering a culture of open communication. When employees feel comfortable providing feedback and their concerns are heard and taken seriously, it can help create a sense of trust and belonging that can lead to increased engagement and productivity.


Happy and motivated employees are essential for any business that wants to increase productivity. Helping your employees become more productive and rewarding what your employees do on an individual level can boost personal fulfillment and productivity in the workplace.

Explore expert insights, stay up to date with industry events, and gain a deeper understanding of the cutting-edge developments that are revolutionizing the indoor air quality landscape within Blade Air's comprehensive Insights Hub.

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