It’s easy to take your HVAC for granted, but it wasn’t so long ago that air conditioners were a luxury to be enjoyed only in movie theaters and department stores. Southerners in Portland, TX, must have longed for the cool comfort that modern air conditioning provided, but they still managed to cool off without paying a fortune in energy costs. Here’s how they did it:

Ceiling Fans

In the late 1860s, the first ceiling fans appeared. There were propelled by water, a turbine and a system of belts. In the 1880s, the first electric ceiling fans were introduced. By circulating the air and dispensing a steady breeze, they provided relief from the heat and humidity until the 1950s when the first air conditioners appeared in Texas homes.

Porches

Sitting on the porch was a popular way to cool off before AC became commonplace. Families would gather on their porches or stroll the neighborhood visiting other people’s porches. In big cities with dense populations, stoops outside of apartment buildings served the same purpose.

Parks and Beaches

Parks with trees were a popular refuge for overheated humans. People would nap under the trees or even sleep in neighborhood parks at night. Picnics in the park were more enjoyable than dining in hot restaurants. On weekends, the entire family would load up their beach gear, head for the seashore and make a day of it.

Although they sweated out the summers, previous generations were forced by the heat and humidity to seek out relief with friends and neighbors and to spend time with their families. Today, with indoor air control that automatically provides just the right degree of heating and cooling, we have to work a little harder to connect with others, and we definitely pay a lot more in energy costs.

Fortunately, modern heating and cooling contractors like Bodine-Scott Air Conditioning Co. are breaking new ground installing wind energy systems that can lower electric bills by a mind-boggling 90 percent. These eco-friendly energy solutions can raise the value of your property by thousands of dollars and qualify you for tax credits, government incentives and renewable energy credits. Visit Bodine-Scott Air Conditioning Co. to learn more about green HVAC or call (361) 883-9900 to discuss how renewable energy systems can benefit you, the environment and your Portland, TX, home.

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