Date Created/Published: [between ca. 1910 and ca. 1915] – Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Bain Collection – Reproduction number: LC-DIG-ggbain-09816 (digital file from original neg.) – Rights Advisory: No known restrictions on publication.
The Air Conditioner has changed the way homes are built and where they are built. For example, there was a time when homes were specifically made to withstand the heat. These homes were built to get the most shade and to catch the natural breeze in the desert. This is no longer necessary since the AC was introduced. It helped the Southwest area of the United States hit a developmental boost that allowed it to become a booming region filled with several metropolitan cities.
Development in the South used to be relatively low because of the torrid heat, but the air conditioner made the heat a non-issue. The AC has made drivers a lot more comfortable as well, which has encouraged many to travel or even take long commutes to work which has lead to more suburban areas springing up.
This is not to say that there aren’t any drawbacks to the rapid growth of AC use. Some environmentalists, say that the air conditioning systems have intensified people’s demand for energy. This intensified demand for power continues to force people to have a great impact on the environment, which is something that environmentalists are attempting to fight.
The dependence on an air conditioner is growing, too. For example, the year 2017 saw temperatures go pass 100 degrees in many regions in the Pacific region of the United States. This has never happened before, and it definitely forced many Americans to rely on their AC systems a lot more than ever before. The fear that these heat waves are going to continue and may get worse has also made many Americans start to install more AC systems.
The dependence on AC systems is not new to the United States. Its influence can be seen since the 1950’s. Yes, these systems allowed more homes to be built in the Pacific and Southern parts of the country but also led to economic developments. Industrial work, which was almost impossible in heat, was now possible. This led to the rise of industrial work in some of these regions. Things like food processing and electrical manufacturing became the backbone of many states in these regions. White-collar jobs were also springing up since buildings were not cooled off by the AC system.
Yes, it is hard to imagine life without air conditioning, and it would be a lie to say that the AC has not allowed for developmental changes that have benefited the country, but some worry that this dependence may hurt people in the long run. People who live in regions that are too hot may face a lot of problems should there be a blackout or a natural disaster that takes out central air. Most homes and buildings are not built to allow inhabitants to withstand heat. Buildings do not face the right direction in order to catch a breeze. There are some buildings that do not even have windows that actually open.
Knowing just how integral air conditioning has become in society matters, but knowing the drawbacks helps people make the right changes. The AC system can be integrated into buildings and homes with sustainability in mind. There is no reason why builders cannot change the direction of new constructions to catch a breeze or to add windows that open. The AC is here to stay, and it can continue to improve.
