Companies often describe employees as their greatest asset, as well as their largest investment. So when employees become even a fraction more efficient, the benefit is tremendous.

This benefit is more difficult to cost-account than savings to heating/cooling costs; however, as discussed in People Vary, individuals are most productive when they are most comfortable, and:

• Can concentrate better
• Don’t take additional breaks from not-completely-comfortable work areas
• Are more likely to work additional mornings, nights or weekends(*)
• Feel better towards their job & employers, when they appreciate the care their employer gives
• Can adjust their temperature when they fear they might be getting sick. Employees cannot go home every time they feel a scratchy throat. But what a loss for all if this turns into a cold, and then they get others sick, and multiple people take sick/PTO days...

Companies will gain an average of $141 benefit each month for each office, including an average of $116 / month in Productivity gains. The case below describes example Productivity gains, but please work with your Facilities group on our Whitepaper OR online Benefit Estimator to estimate the actual benefits your company can expect.

Assuming this employee receives $25K / year + 35% benefits and delivers 20% more value than he/she costs, then this additional benefit is worth $62 / month.

This benefit obviously increases linearly with higher salaries. Also, if multiple employees share an office, Productivity benefits multiply then as well.

(*) employees sometimes do not work after-hours or weekends because unconditioned air is sweltering, freezing, muggy or otherwise unpleasant. We enable companies to heat/cool individual employees anytime, and be billed only for the small amount of energy used nights, weekends or anytime. This provides a win-win-win opportunity for Landlord, Company & Employee

We are most efficient in our Thermal Neutral Zone, and less comfortable when too hot/cold because our bodies are under stress, as described below.

"Over a certain range of temperatures (the thermal neutral zone) metabolic rate is independent of environmental temperature. At lower temperatures, however the metabolic rate increases resulting in more rapid heat production that tends to offset the cooling effect of the lower environmental temperature. If enviromental temperature exceeds the thermal neutral zone, the individual does work to keep body temperature from rising; and this work is based on increased metabolic rate."
Life: The Science of Biology Purves/Orians published 1987 by Sinauer Associates, Inc. p 596

Why wouldn't employers want employees to be more comfortable at their work areas, rather than away from them??