Cost Effectiveness of Improving Indoor Environments to Increase
Productivity Designers and operators of buildings routinely
consider initial costs and expected energy and maintenance costs
when making investment decisions. The recently developed
estimates of how ventilation rates and temperatures affect work
performance enable an approximate accounting for the influence
of related potential investments on productivity costs. This
section summarizes some illustrative example calculations. The
relevant literature is very limited and many of the published
examples are for buildings located in northern Europe. The
financial benefits of improved indoor environmental quality may
include the value of improved work performance, reduced absence,
and reduced health care needs; however, this document considers
only work performance. The benefits will often be accompanied by
costs incurred to improve indoor environments. Expenditures may
be required for improved equipment, e.g., for building heating,
ventilating, and air