How to Calculate ROI for Your Workplace Cooling Solution

Heat can have a major impact on your bottom line. So can an ineffective, or expensive, workplace cooling system. In high temps, workers slow down, mistakes happen more often, and energy bills climb as managers scramble for relief. That’s why choosing the right industrial cooling solution isn’t just about comfort. It’s about your return on investment (ROI). 

Follow along as we dive into the variables that impact your cooling costs and savings. We’ll guide you through calculating ROI and comparing common cooling systems, from HVAC and fans to evaporative coolers.

Invest in cooling and maximize ROI 

In hot warehouses, auto shops, and construction zones, cooling directly impacts your bottom line. That’s because workplace cooling ROI can be measured across multiple aspects of your business, from energy costs to employee health. The right cooling solution is an investment in your long-term success.  

Keep employees safe 

Temperatures above 75ºF put your employees’ health at risk and put your profits in jeopardy. High temperatures can cause heat-related medical conditions and lead to large hospital bills for your employees and your business. Overheated people are also more likely to make mistakes and get injured.  

Boost productivity 

OSHA guidelines recommend that employees take frequent breaks in hot conditions. While these breaks can help reduce the risk of heat stress, they don’t change the reality that heat affects cognition and performance. In fact, productivity drops by 4% for every degree above 80ºF. That means that productivity tanks by 20% at 85º. This decline can quickly add up to thousands of dollars lost per day.  

Cut energy costs 

Invest in an energy-efficient cooling system to reap all the benefits of cooling, while saving on your electricity bills. Cooling systems like air conditioners offer eco-friendly or energy-saving modes, yet these settings decrease performance. 

Industrial cooling method cost comparison 

The wrong cooling system is inefficient, expensive to set up, and costly to maintain. Traditional HVAC systems like air conditioning ratchet up monthly electric bills and need constant servicing. Meanwhile, industrial fans are more reliable and energy efficient, but they only move air around—they don’t cool it.   

Instead, consider evaporative cooling for a high-performance, and cost-effective, solution. Portable warehouse evaporative coolers can reduce surrounding air temps by up to 30ºF, and they only add up to $1 a day to your power bill. They can work as stand-alone systems, pair with other evap coolers to cool large areas like warehouses, and/or complement an existing HVAC system or industrial fans.  

Let’s see how these workplace cooling methods stack up:   

How to calculate ROI on your cooling system 

How do you know if your cooling system is truly effective? You can calculate your ROI by considering upfront and operating costs as well as impacts on productivity. Perform a workplace cooling system cost analysis by using the formula below to see how much you could save by investing in a more effective cooling solution.  

1. Calculate upfront costs 
   1. Total purchase price 
   2. Installation and setup fees  
2. Consider product lifespan and warranty 
   1. Factor in product lifespan, warranty, and replacement cycles 
3. Quantify productivity gains 
   1. Use our Productivity Loss Calculator to estimate the impact of heat on your productivity and profits. 
4. Calculate your payback period 
   1. Divide the upfront cost by your annual savings to see how quickly the solution pays for itself. 

 Project long-term savings 

Once you’ve effectively paid for the cooling system with productivity gains, you should consider operational costs and how much you could save by using a more energy-efficient system like portable evaporative cooling: 

• Find the average kWh usage of your cooling system. This info should be in a product manual or owner’s guide. Multiply that by the number of hours you run your system, and the average cost per kWh in your state. Estimate your energy costs for one month.  
• Add up your maintenance costs for one year, then divide by 12 to estimate the maintenance cost per month. 

 The hidden value of better cooling 

High performance, cost-effective cooling has a tangible impact on your business profits. At the same time, the right cooling system can also bring intangible benefits that contribute to your long-term success. 

• Employee satisfaction & retention: Keep your employees comfortable, and they’ll keep coming back. Look to evaporative cooling or HVAC systems. Fans don’t cool the air so they won’t have as great an impact on employee happiness. 
• Sustainability: Evaporative coolers just use water and electricity to naturally cool the air. Industrial fans also have a low environmental impact. Meanwhile, HVAC systems use a lot of electricity, as well as refrigerants and chemicals.  
• Flexibility: Portacool portable evap coolers have wheels to target your hottest spaces. Meanwhile, fans and HVAC need to be mounted and cannot be moved around. Portacool APEX™ Series coolers also come equipped with CoolSync™ technology so they can be controlled from anywhere with a smartphone or tablet.

Rethink workplace cooling with Portacool 

Your business is in it for the long haul. Invest in a workplace cooling solution that grows with you over time. Portacool evaporative coolers are the best choice for seeing both immediate and long-term ROI on your cooling system. 

Explore the Portacool Buying Guide to find the right industrial evaporative cooler for your facility. For more support, contact your local Portacool dealer.