July 16, 2008 2:16 PM
Over air-conditioning - please give us a break
Having lived in northern/coastal California for 30 years, I must admit the weather was heavenly. Not many houses even had air-conditioning. And the humidity level was always perfect.
Now back on the east coast - as much as I adore the wild weather fluctuations - I am constantly amazed by man's relentless drive to prove to the weather who's really boss.
In homes and offices - but mostly offices as they seem to have more money to throw around than families do these days - temperatures are kept higher during the winter than people would tolerate during summer months. And in summer, the air-conditioning can leave you gasping and wishing you'd brought your winter coat.
Last week Jonny and I arrived for an appointment with a Fairfax pediatric orthopedist at 830 in the morning (Jonny's scheduled for foot surgery August 4) and the blast of cold air as we entered the room was just unbelievable. I shivered through the waiting room and the examiniation room - then had to laugh out loud when we were called into the x-ray room and the attendant had her personal heater blasting away.
What a waste of energy!
And probably the factor accounting for most of the pesky summer colds we have around here.
What's your experience?
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I'm starting a new top category here - Complaint Department.
Posted in Complaint Department, Practical Info | Permalink
Comments
Hi barbara, well I live in the UK (London) and I was intrigued to read this:
"Not many houses even had air-conditioning"
I have NEVER heard of air conditioning in a house before. I'm curious, how common is that in the States? I feel a bit like the out of touch judge who said "The Beatles? Who are they?" but the thought of a home that is air conditioned sounds most bizarre to me. Extraordinary!
I do find it great in the car, but I only use it when it's unbearably hot. I usually turn it off and open the windows once the car has cooled down.
Some shops and offices are air conditioned here and,as you describe, I just find it weird and actually slightly repulsive to seek to achieve that level of control over our climatic environment.
It feels unhealthy too to be appropriately dressed for warm weather in cool, light clothing, only to be subjected to intermittent blasts of freezing cold air when you walk into certain shops or banks.
Posted by: Clare | July 16, 2008 4:53 PM
It is absolutely crazy how much people regulate the environment. We use our air conditioner very sporadically, same with the heat in the winter, but I know exactly what you mean about the cold air. Church is the worst! Our old church had no central air and so if you dressed for the weather you were ok. Our new one is "climate controlled" and absolutely freezing. Who knew I'd have to bring a wool sweater to a church in Virginia in July!
When I was a teen I worked in a restaurant where they purposefully kept the room cold to get people out quicker.
When I was in high school they kept the temperatures frigid during the warmer months (we were the only high school in the area with air conditioning) in part to enforce the dress code.
When we were in Minnesota the heating that people did indoors was insane. And, I'm finding that Virginians are similar. We keep our house around 62-65 in the winter and find homes heated to almost 70 unbearably stuffy, which pretty much means we can't go anywhere without dressing in removable layers.
This summer we've had to use the air conditioner because of the humidity more than the heat. We keep the temperatures hovering in the high 70s and only turn on the AC when we are perspiring.
Posted by: gwen | July 16, 2008 9:06 PM
I think it depends on the house in the US. The house I grew up in was built in 1970, and had an attic fan (no AC).
On the other hand, houses built in Houston in 1930 are DESIGNED for airflow; modern houses are not and they all have AC.
I think regulating the temp. so that one can wear tank tops in December, and must wear sweaters in July, puts us out of touch with the rhythm of nature. Then again, I go to a liturgical church and find rhythms comforting.
Posted by: Milehimama | July 17, 2008 5:13 PM
