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.

What are Eco-Friendly Building Materials?

Jennifer Crowley
Aug 2, 2023
3 min read

Updated: Jul 8, 2024

Image of an office building surrounded by lush trees housed within triangular greenhouse wall panels - giving the illusion that the building sits within a greenhouse — Sustainable construction practices not only benefit the environment but also offer economic advantages, such as reduced operating costs, increased property value, and improved occupant satisfaction.

Eco-friendly building materials, also known as sustainable or green building materials, are those that are sourced, manufactured, used, and disposed of in a manner that minimizes harm to the environment and human health. These materials are carefully chosen to reduce the ecological footprint of buildings throughout their lifecycle, from construction to operation and eventual demolition or deconstruction. The aim is to create structures that are energy-efficient, resource-efficient, and environmentally responsible.

The Importance of Sustainable Construction Practices

The construction industry significantly contributes to environmental degradation, consuming vast amounts of energy and resources while generating substantial waste and greenhouse gas emissions. By embracing sustainable practices, such as incorporating eco-friendly materials, optimizing energy performance, implementing efficient water management systems, and adopting environmentally responsible construction methods, the industry can significantly reduce its impact on the planet.

Sustainable construction practices not only benefit the environment but also offer economic advantages, such as reduced operating costs, increased property value, and improved occupant satisfaction. Moreover, they align with evolving regulations, green building certifications, and the growing demand for environmentally conscious buildings from consumers, businesses, and governments.

Benefits of Eco-Friendly Building Materials

Reduced environmental impact and carbon footprint: One of the primary benefits of eco-friendly building materials is their ability to significantly reduce the environmental impact and carbon footprint associated with construction projects.

Energy efficiency and improved insulation: Eco-friendly building materials are known for their excellent energy efficiency properties. They help create well-insulated structures that can reduce the need for excessive heating, cooling, and artificial lighting.

Health benefits for occupants: Eco-friendly materials are designed to be low or non-toxic, ensuring cleaner indoor environments. For instance, using natural paints and finishes that are free from harmful chemicals can improve indoor air quality and reduce the risk of respiratory issues and allergies.

Cost-effectiveness and long-term savings: While eco-friendly building materials may sometimes have higher upfront costs compared to traditional materials, they offer long-term savings and cost-effectiveness.

Promoting a greener and more sustainable future: By utilizing eco-friendly building materials, the construction industry plays a crucial role in promoting a greener and more sustainable future.

Examples of Eco-Friendly Building Materials

Types of Eco-Friendly Building Materials:

Recycled Materials
Renewable Materials
Low-Impact Materials

Non-Toxic Materials

Bamboo: A versatile and sustainable option Bamboo is a remarkable eco-friendly building material known for its strength, versatility, and rapid growth. Unlike traditional timber, bamboo reaches maturity within 3-5 years, making it an easily renewable resource. Its impressive tensile strength and durability make it an excellent choice for various applications.

Cork: A renewable resource with excellent insulation properties- Cork is another sustainable material from the bark of cork oak trees. Harvesting cork does not harm the trees, as the bark naturally regenerates. This makes cork a highly renewable resource.

Recycled Steel: Reducing energy consumption and waste recycled steel is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional steel production. Using scrap or salvaged steel reduces the need for energy-intensive extraction and refining processes.

Natural Insulation: Wool, cellulose, and straw natural insulation materials offer a sustainable alternative to traditional insulation options. Wool insulation, derived from sheep’s wool, is an excellent thermal insulator that is renewable, biodegradable and requires low energy input during production. Cellulose insulation, made from recycled paper or plant fibres, effectively reduces heat transfer and is often used in attics and walls. Straw bale construction utilizes straw as a building material, providing natural insulation while using a byproduct of grain production.

Solar Panels and Energy-Efficient Windows: Harnessing renewable energy. While not strictly building materials, solar panels and energy-efficient windows play a crucial role in sustainable building design. Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources. Energy-efficient windows incorporate advanced glazing technologies that minimize heat transfer.

Recycled Glass: Today, about 27 percent of manufactured glass is recycled. Mixing recycled glass with fly ash creates a concrete-like substance perfect for blocks, panels or construction moulds. You can transform any excess glass into countertops, backsplash, tile and even colourful pebbles for your yard called glass mulch. Opting for recycled glass instead of traditional glass reduces related water pollution by 50 percent and air pollution by 20 percent.

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