PennyWise Office Products: Fellowes Climate Controlled Heated Footrest Giveaway and Review~ 1/30

Momma Told Me: Keep your feet covered or you'll catch your death!

Ask anyone who works in an office space to list their biggest pet peeves and you're sure to hear about 'climate control'. In any work environment where employees are expected to share a small space for long periods of time the issue of temperature comfort is bound to arise. After all, while we are all warm blooded creatures, internal thermostats vary by age, gender, and general personal preference. The biggest key to a happy workplace and high productivity? Comfort. Even though I've long left the cubicle world, I am as picky as ever when it comes to my personal work space and extended comfort. Working out of my own home office, attached to a desk and/or computer for up to 12 hours a day, it can seem silly to regulate an entire house for the comfort of one individual. Of course I have a favorite seat, and favorite laptop lap 'desk' (I'm not ashamed to identify as a panda pillow pet), but I often find my mind begins to wander when my body has concern for complaint. The biggest threat to my personal productivity? The temperature.

I'm fortunate enough to live in sunny Southern California, where we gripe when the late night temperatures dip below 50, and the harshest Winter weather is often an afternoon downpour leading to brilliantly clear skies. But I've also lived, and worked, in Rhode Island, mid December when the snow fell so thick we were (at times) trapped in the office, literally. I've also come to realize that simply because 'us' So Cal residents don't typically endure 'harsh' Winter weather doesn't mean we are immune to the typical gripes other US residents have. If anything we complain MORE at the inconvenience of an especially cold day, and call out of work when our windshields overly frost. Yes, we can appreciate the comforts of luxury office products and fine tuned climate control too.

Personally, I am anti-socks; and have proudly been so since the third grade (yes, that specific, and an incident for another article). In fact, just a few weeks back I was caught setting up at a local swap meet, 4AM, 42F with a 10F windchill, on the beach, in flip flops. I was freezing my paws off, and secretly promising to never go sock-less again. Around the house I will often resort to bulky slippers, or even wrapping my feet in blankets to keep warm while working. After all one of the most important regions to maintain body temperature are the soles of our feet, the key to long term comfort. Similarly, is the importance of proper posture, while remaining seated for periods of time. For this reason, I've often considered shopping an at desk footrest; but found the average prices a bit absurd for a simple angled scrap of plastic. When I invest in something, like most of the NOW generation, I expect it to serve multiple purposes for the money I put out.

Fellowes is one of the office supply industry's leading manufacturers of workspace ergonomics, shredders, office electronics, organization, and more. With years of accreditation in secure document disposal and a customer service history to put value brand manufacturers to shame, Fellowes has only recently branched into the work of Workspace Ergonomics, through footrests. Their selection of angled, rocking, and heating footrests range in price from economic to luxury and are always ETL (energy efficient) approved. Sold at fine office retailers worldwide, including Momma Told Me's preferred PennyWise Office Products, Fellowes Climate Control Heated footrest is the perfect solution for everyone from at home office snobs to 9-5 Cubicle Shufflers. Retailing for $89.99 (listed at PennyWise for $74.99), the Climate Control Footrest offers 3 levels of automated comfort, as well as an angled, texture, massage design.

I received a Fellowes Climate Control Heated Footrest for review here on Momma Told Me, and was immediately impressed with how lightweight the unit was. Made from an easy to clean, yet durable, plastic, the footrest measured 16.5" x 10", and sat about 5.5" off the ground with feet in. On the bottom of the unit were 4 'flip up' feet, with rubber grips, for extra height, or fold away storage. I did note, during use, if I bumped the feet (while arranging) they tended to want to snap back in. This was a minor inconvenience and not an issue during extended operation. The footrest itself is naturally angled, at a set angle, for ergonomic use, and the wide top surface is covered in comforting surface massage bumps. Note this unit does not vibrate or massage, though the sensation of rubbing ones soles along the varied surface does help me relieve stress when my mind seems overly blocked. The front two feet can be folded in for an extended angle of use.

Operation of the Fellowes Climate Control Footrest is quite easy, with a standard AC plug, and on/off switch. The unit features 3 modes of operation; Cool Fan, Low Heat, and High Heat, which enable the footrest to double as a climate control device year round (not just as a heater in the Winter). Even on High Heat the footrest is surprisingly quiet, perhaps my favorite feature, and comparable to an ambient fan. The device did generate an odor, similar to an overheated hair dryer during it's initial use, the smell was not overwhelming, but noticeable, and faded after initial use. Another important feature, for those who intend to use the product at home, or who are subject to intermittent narcolepsy under extreme comfort, is the automatic 8 hour shut off. The Fellowes Climate Control Heated Footrest will automatically shut off after 8 hours of continuous use to prevent over heating.

How does the actual heating element stack up? Thanks to the cooling fan and heating functions I can still enjoy this footrest barefoot, if desired (and personally prefer to do so). In areas where it is especially cold, socks, and even shoes, may be worn atop the footrest. The pad is wide enough to circulate treated air around the user's feet, and even up from under the desk, for total comfort. High Heat seems to be more than needed in my personal office, while I can comfortable leave Low Heat on for the perfect regulation all morning. The manufacturer suggests keeping the airways free from obstruction (no blankets or covers while in use), though the cat might be tempted to steal my new 'toy', or at least share in the toasty bubble of warmth radiating from it!

In all, I was a bit sad to see a product priced within the luxury range, made from plastic, but have outweighed this con with its versatility and convenient lightweight build (which makes it easy to tote from room to room or pack away). The noise level is whisper quiet, and even soothing, and the extra added 'massage nubs' increase airflow and soothe tired feet. The fact that this Climate Controlled Footrest can achieve so many desired uses definitely make it work owning!

What Daughter Says: Keep comfortable in the work place, year round, with the luxury of a Climate Controlled Footrest from Fellowes.

One Momma Told Me follower will win a Fellowes Climate Controlled Heated Footrest from PennyWise Office Products and Fellowes!

a Rafflecopter giveaway