June 2025
Why Data Centers Are the Future of HVAC Profit Growth
The demand for data center infrastructure has been steadily increasing, bringing with it a growing need for specialized talent across engineering and construction. As outlined in our recent article on 60% growth in hyperscale data centers, this trend is gradually influencing how businesses approach workforce planning, particularly within the MEP space. Among these changes, HVAC has emerged as a particularly relevant area of focus.
At LVI Associates, we’ve seen more clients take deliberate steps toward HVAC specialization for data centers. Rather than a reactive shift, this is often a strategic decision shaped by a combination of profitability, technical complexity, and longer-term market positioning. Many firms that previously served a broader commercial HVAC market are now choosing to build dedicated expertise in this growing, high-performance niche.
Why HVAC matters in cloud and AI
Modern data centers are significantly more complex than traditional server rooms. These facilities, often housing thousands of power-dense servers require robust mechanical systems to maintain safe and stable operating environments. According to BP, nearly 40% of a data center’s energy use can be attributed to cooling.
This makes HVAC a foundational component of operational performance. Unlike conventional commercial spaces, HVAC systems for data centers must:
- Run continuously with minimal risk of failure
- Manage high thermal loads with precision
- Accommodate dense server configurations
- Meet increasingly strict sustainability goals
The profit motive: Why clients are making the pivot
Many of the firms we speak with are exploring or actively pursuing HVAC work in data centers because of the strong business case. These projects:
- Typically command higher fees due to complexity
- Offer repeat engagement through commissioning and maintenance
- Create opportunities for closer, long-term relationships with high-growth clients
This visibility also helps firms compete more effectively for upcoming digital infrastructure projects, including colocation, edge, and hyperscale developments.
Ryan Ward, Associate Vice President at LVI Associates, shared:
What’s fascinating isn’t just the uptick in data center projects, but how it’s reshaping the role of project management within HVAC firms. These are not quick-turn contracts; they are long-term, high-value engagements that require a different level of oversight and coordination. We’re seeing clients rethink how they structure their delivery teams, prioritize stakeholder alignment, and equip project managers to lead complex, multi-phase builds. The shift is no longer just about managing timelines and budgets. It is about anticipating client needs, aligning with sustainability goals, and serving as a true partner in critical infrastructure delivery. The most successful firms are those treating their project managers as strategic leaders, not just logistical leads.
Trends we’re tracking: LVI Associates market insights
Within our specialist recruitment teams, we’ve observed growth in hiring across roles linked to HVAC and data center environments. These include:
- Mechanical and electrical designers
- Commissioning professionals
- Project managers with mission-critical experience
- Engineers focused on sustainability and ESG reporting
- Construction managers and superintendents with data center delivery experience
- Site-based health and safety leads
- Field engineers and quality control specialists involved in fast-track builds
Many mid-sized contractors are expanding their service lines to include mission-critical expertise, while large design firms are building teams within their mechanical divisions.
Martin Regan, Senior Vice President at LVI Associates, noted:
There’s something happening at the leadership level. HVAC leaders who used to be focused on technical specs are now deeply engaged in conversations about digital infrastructure strategy. That’s a huge change.
We’re talking to clients who are embedding themselves into their customers’ five-year roadmaps, helping them plan for scale, for sustainability, for regional resiliency. The result is that HVAC professionals are stepping into broader roles: not just engineers, but advisors and integrators.
We’re now seeing demand not just for experience, but for forward-thinking professionals who can connect the dots across operational technology (OT), IT, and business outcomes. They’re expected to lead conversations on how HVAC systems contribute to enterprise-wide goals like decarbonization, smart building integration, and even occupant wellness.
What makes data center HVAC specialized?
Delivering HVAC solutions for data centers introduces engineering and operational challenges that extend well beyond what’s typically encountered in standard commercial buildings. These systems must work seamlessly with advanced building management systems (BMS) and real-time data platforms, enabling precise environmental control. They also need to be resilient to failure, often designed with full redundancy to ensure uninterrupted operation.
In many cases, traditional air-cooling methods aren’t sufficient, leading to the implementation of more advanced techniques such as liquid cooling or immersion solutions. At the same time, energy efficiency remains a core priority, with designs frequently aiming to meet or exceed aggressive Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) targets.
There’s also a growing demand for professionals who can work at the intersection of mechanical systems and digital infrastructure, blending HVAC expertise with knowledge of IT load dynamics, power distribution systems, and climate risk mitigation. This blend of skills is increasingly critical as facilities scale in both size and complexity.
What this means for the HVAC talent pipeline
As HVAC involvement in data center projects grows, firms are reassessing the types of skills needed to deliver high-quality outcomes. Roles now call for a stronger emphasis on technical coordination, system efficiency, and reliability standards specific to mission-critical environments.
LVI Associates is working with clients to broaden their talent strategies by identifying professionals from industries such as life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and aerospace sectors where precision environmental control has long been essential. These backgrounds offer valuable parallels to the performance expectations within data centers.
For organizations aiming to grow in this space, building the right project teams will be key to delivering consistent value and meeting client expectations. LVI Associates helps businesses identify and attract professionals across design and operational leadership, all of which are critical to long-term success.
Ready to future-proof your HVAC strategy?
If your firm is looking to grow in the data center marketplace, request a call back today. We’ll help you assess your talent strategy, understand the competitive landscape, and build high-performing HVAC teams ready to thrive in mission-critical environments.