Many motorists would not survive the summer months without turning on a car’s air conditioning ability. To simply press a button, turn a dial, or flick a switch to experience cold air inside a vehicle is a relatively new concept in terms of automobiles. Sparing drivers and passengers alike from stifling heat is only part of the story of this recent addition to cars on the road.
Air Conditioning’s Brief History
Air conditioning in cars is a modern convenience that makes commuting in hot weather a tolerable experience. A company in New York, U.S. offered the service as early as 1933, and it was initially only accepted by luxury car enthusiasts or limousine operators. Six years later, another company offered to install a “Weather Conditioner” in automobiles. This device provided an air conditioning and heater function for its customers. It was discontinued after World War I.
All That Power
Previous renditions of automobile air conditioning provided unreliable service to the car’s occupants. The earliest model required bulky plumbing to connect the engine to the machine in the trunk, requiring the driver to get out to the car and access the trunk to turn it off. Other models required a separate power source to keep from draining the car’s available energy supply. Today’s air conditioning system uses around 3 kW of engine power and does increase fuel consumption, but it’s a lightweight compared to its predecessors.
Check it Out
Regardless of the technological advancements in automotive air conditioning, units still require maintenance to continue operating at peak performance. With summers only getting hotter, car air conditioning in East Sussex requires investigation during regular vehicle maintenance or when airflow becomes weaker. Most vehicles do not produce warning lights when something is amiss, leaving motorists clueless about why the system is not working correctly.
Air conditioning in cars has grown drastically in popularity over the last ten years. It allows motorists to travel in comfort during the hot summer months and needs regular upkeep to function correctly. The time and money invested in an air conditioner’s maintenance will pay off with each blast of cooling relief from the oppressive heat.