Ohio AI data centers pilot heat recycling for greenhouses, homes, and public buildings, cutting emissions and water use.

A new report reveals that AI data centers in Ohio could recycle excess heat—ranging from 77 to 194°F—generated during cooling, repurposing it for greenhouses, industrial processes, residential heating, and public buildings like fire stations and libraries. Projects by SAIHEAT and EnergiAcres are testing uses such as crop growth with captured CO2 and backup heating during outages. The practice could cut greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and reduce water use, especially in fossil fuel-dependent regions. Experts urge developers to adopt heat recovery to boost community benefits amid expanding data center construction.