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

Written by

Published on

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:

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.
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.
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.

Understanding Indoor Air Quality: What’s in the Air We Breathe?

Jennifer Crowley
Jul 31, 2023
3 min read

Updated: Jul 9, 2024

Man's hand holding a magnifying glass in front of a table full of house plants — Poor indoor air quality has been linked to various health problems, including respiratory issues, allergies, and cancer.

The air we breathe plays a vital role in our health and well-being. Yet, while outdoor air pollution has received much attention recently, indoor air quality is just as important and often neglected. This blog post will take a closer look at what’s in the air we breathe, focusing on indoor air.

Common Indoor Air Contaminants

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

These are chemicals released into the air from products such as paints, cleaning supplies, and personal care products. They can be invisible and have a distinct odour, but only sometimes. However, they can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, and in severe cases, long-term health problems.

Particulate Matter (PM)

These tiny particles float in the air and can be inhaled into our lungs. They can come from sources such as tobacco smoke, cooking, and dust. Particulate Matter can be seen as fine dust or smoke but can also be invisible. Inhaling PM can cause respiratory problems and worsen conditions such as asthma and heart disease.

Biological Contaminants

This includes mould, mildew, bacteria, and viruses. These can be visible or invisible and cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems. They can grow in damp or humid areas and are often a result of poor ventilation or water damage.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

This is a toxic gas produced by burning fuel. It is colourless, odourless, and tasteless, making it difficult to detect. It can cause headaches, dizziness, and in severe cases, death. Carbon monoxide is often a result of improperly ventilated appliances such as stoves, heaters, and fireplaces.

Radon

This naturally occurring radioactive gas is released from the ground and can enter buildings through cracks in the foundation. It’s the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and is also odourless and tasteless, making it difficult to detect.

Formaldehyde

This toxic chemical is commonly found in building materials and furniture. It can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, and in severe cases, it can cause cancer. Formaldehyde can be released into the air from products such as particleboard, flooring, and textiles.

Adverse Health Effects of Poor Indoor Air Quality

Breathing in poor-quality indoor air can have a range of negative health effects. Some of these include:

Eye, nose, and throat irritation
Headaches
Allergic reactions
Respiratory problems, including asthma and bronchitis
Dizziness
Long-term health problems, including cardiovascular disease and cancer
Increased risk of lung cancer, especially from radon exposure

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air, and the average person spends 90% of their time indoors. Poor indoor air quality has been linked to various health problems, including respiratory issues, allergies, and cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that each year, 3.2 million people die prematurely from illnesses attributable to household air pollution caused by the incomplete combustion of solid fuels and kerosene used for cooking.

Indoor air quality is just as important as outdoor air quality, and understanding what’s in the air we breathe is crucial to our health and well-being. By reducing exposure to common indoor air contaminants such as VOCs, PM, biological pollutants, CO, radon, and formaldehyde, we can significantly improve the air we breathe and protect our health.

Some simple steps to improve indoor air quality include:

Ventilating your home regularly to bring in fresh air
Using natural, non-toxic cleaning products and personal care items
Keeping your home well-maintained and free of moisture and mould
Using air filters to remove particulate matter and other contaminants
Testing your home for radon and taking steps to reduce exposure if necessary

In conclusion, improving indoor air quality and protecting our health is crucial. By understanding what’s in the air we breathe, we can make informed decisions to improve the air we breathe, reduce exposure to harmful contaminants, and promote good health.

Insights Hub

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consec tetur adipiscing elit. Sit quis auctor

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet cotetur

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consec tetur adipiscing elit. Sit quis auctor

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet cotetur

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consec tetur adipiscing elit. Sit quis auctor

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet cotetur