When Willis Haviland Carrier discovered a way to safely and successfully cool indoor air in the early 1900s, he probably did not imagine that his invention, later called air conditioning, would mark the beginning of a massive migration to the Sun Belt region of the United States. Along with favorable climate as well as improved means of transportation and communication, the advent of residential air conditioning is largely credited for this great population movement to the southern part of the country.
Beating the Heat
Florida temperatures hover around the 90s or high 80s during the hot summer months from June to August. This is the kind of weather adored by multitudes of sun worshippers who descend on the Sunshine State by the thousands at the peak of summer. With a coastline that extends for 1,350 miles, there is certainly enough room for these sunbathers to enjoy the ocean as well as the sunshine up and down this popular summer destination.
As enjoyable as the heat may be when out on the ocean, once inland, the temperatures can be brutal. It is easy to understand how the cooling benefits of Carrier’s invention could indeed have helped a great deal in triggering the southern migration. Without air conditioning, life in the Sun Belt region of the country would be almost intolerable.
Enjoying the Cool Air
Installing and maintaining an air conditioning system in a Florida home may be a big expense, but under the glare of an unforgiving southern sun for most of the year, this expense can easily and readily be justified. For some, this goes beyond a matter of comfort. The heat can be dangerous to people with a weakened immune system; it can pose a health threat to the most vulnerable members of the population as well, namely, infants and the elderly.
Residential AC is a Sun Belt state resident’s most powerful weapon against the heat. But hydration (drinking plenty of liquids as often as possible) and common sense (do not go out in the noonday sun without protection like a powerful sunblock or a hat) also go a long way to prevent heat stroke and dehydration.
By far, the best advice to heed is to stay indoors in an air conditioned room during the hottest times of the day. And remember to keep your AC units well maintained throughout the year. While you’re enjoying the cold air, you may want to also remember the ingenious engineer who gave the world a reprieve from the harsh noonday sun. Odds are, his name is on the AC unit in your window.
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