How AI is Reshaping the Future of HVAC

June 5, 2026

Increasing demand for AI, high performance computing, along with hyperscale data center expansion are creating a massive new market for HVAC. The shift is in cooling, as data center cooling is moving beyond incremental airflow optimization, and towards liquid cooling in order to support AI and its specific cooling needs. Because of this, the data center liquid cooling market is projected to expand from 6.6 billion dollars to 38.4 billion dollars by 2033. North America is the current hotspot for this investment as it hosts the largest concentration of AI training clusters globally.


Historically, data centers have relied on air-based systems for their cooling, which includes CRAHs, chilled water systems, and precision cooling equipment. Because AI servers are now generating higher heat loads than previously (Modern AI racks can exceed 100 kW per rack compared to the traditional 5-15 kW loads of the past), facilities need heavier duty cooling, sparking the transition to liquid cooling solutions. 


This transition to liquid cooling is not removing HVAC systems and instead restructures their role within AI facilities. Removing building heat, maintaining environmental conditions, and supporting chilled water distribution systems are all issues that HVAC remains a critical solution to. As a result of this, specialized coils, such as the ones HeatEX produces are growing in demand along with cooling towers, heat exchangers, and other thermal regulation components necessary for dealing with high heat rejection requirements. 


This trend to support AI with Liquid cooling brings new challenges with infrastructure and compatibility for projects, as operators prioritize power usage effectiveness reduction and carbon footprint optimization. Ensuring coolant compatibility with diverse server architectures, leak prevention, and aligning cooling with rapidly advancing cycles are a few of these challenges. Operators are looking for companies that can specialize towards their plants and customize them to their need. 

This emerging market puts HeatEX Technologies in a great position to assist these operating facilities. As custom cooling systems become more specialized, standard equipment may not always meet the same requirements for performance. Custom coil solutions, such as the ones HeatEX provides, can be engineered to meet these specifications and adds a key flexibility aspect to our product. Our precise and specialized coil technology positions HeatEX very well for the future of the HVAC industry.


In a market where air is no longer sufficient as the default for AI facilities, HeatEX is well positioned for this industry change.

Works Cited

“Data Center Cooling Trends 2026: From Air to Liquid.” Global InduVista, Thermal Logic, 2026, https://www.globalinduvista.com/news/Industrial_HVAC/Thermal_Logic/Data_Center_Cooling_Trends_2026_From_Air_to_Liquid.html. Accessed 2 June 2026.


“Data Center Liquid Cooling Market to Witness 28.7% CAGR Driven by AI Adoption, Investments and Sustainability Targets.” GlobeNewswire, 17 Feb. 2026, https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/02/17/3239044/0/en/data-center-liquid-cooling-market-to-witness-28-7-cagr-driven-by-ai-adoption-investments-and-sustainability-targets.html. Accessed 2 June 2026.


Murray, Lance. “Skilled Trades Workers Can Command Six-Figure Salaries as Data Center Boom Drives Demand.” Fortune, 20 Mar. 2026, https://fortune.com/2026/03/20/skilled-trade-demand-randstand-report-electricans-technicans-construction-workers-six-figure-salaries-data-center-boom/. Accessed 2 June 2026.

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