How much is your time worth?

Abstract

Productivity loss can be substantial due to heat in the workplace with one study positing an average drop of 2.6% in productivity for every degree increase beyond 24°C. Purchasing an air conditioner (AC) has been examined to determine whether it is a worthwhile productivity investment.

The article uses a survey to determine an individual’s hourly income as a method of equating increased productivity to financial gain. Using this method, the article finds that in areas with extended periods of high heat, the purchase and use of an AC is a worthwhile financial investment as opposed to other time-saving options such as laundry or meal delivery services. Additionally, the author uses research that documents gains in sleep quality as another benefit of AC usage. – AI-generated abstract.