Air Conditioning

Geek Out

How To Supercharge Your Air Conditioning

7:00PM January 26, 2012 | Brent Rose

It’s not that hot now, but just you wait. Parts of your body will stick to other parts of your body, and it will be horrible. Lucky for you, you’ve got air conditioning. Unlucky for you, it’s a real punisher on the power bill.Here are a few tips for maximising your cool without crippling your bank account. More »


Gadgets

Turn Your Travel Mug Into A Portable Air Conditioner

11:20AM December 30, 2011 | Adrian Covert

One imaginative user over at Instructables, SHIFT!, got the idea to build a personal AC unit in a travel coffee mug. It’s similar in idea to another DIY AC unit made from a cooler, except much, much smaller. More »


Geek Out

How Did People Stay Cool Before Air Conditioning Existed?

12:52AM July 26, 2011 | Casey Chan

Air conditioning is one of man’s greatest inventions. I dare you to disagree with me. But what the hell did people use to stay cool before AC existed? Apparently, mountains of snow, windowless sun-side walls, good ol’ suffering and more. More »


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Air Conditioning Made Disgusting Swamp Of A Continent Bearable

9:20AM July 19, 2011 | Kyle Wagner

America is officially uninhabitable this week. Airborne magma is raping my body every time I step outside of my air-conditioned apartment, and The Atlantic makes a convincing argument that the history of AC mirrors the history of modern America. More »


News

Chicago Thieves Are Out Stealing Whole Central Air Units

7:40AM July 7, 2011 | Kwame Opam

The Chatham neighbourhood of Chicago is suffering from a rash of air conditioner thefts right now. Turns out the criminals are stealing the entire units, not just a pipe here and there. I mean… at least they’re dedicated? More »


Geek Out

Air Conditioning The Military Costs More Than NASA’s Entire Budget

12:00AM June 19, 2011 | Kwame Opam

According to Steve Anderson, a retired brigadier general who served as Gen. Petraeus’ chief logistician in Iraq, the Department of defence spends $US20 billion air conditioning tents and temporary structures for the military. That’s more than NASA’s entire $US19 billion annual budget. More »


Science

"Smart" Alloy Will Make Your Air Conditioner 175% More Efficient

10:20AM July 20, 2010 | Sam Biddle

Leaving your air conditioner on full blast all day might soon come with a little less guilt, thanks to an alloy developed by the University of Maryland. The “thermally elastic” material could allow air conditioners to run 175 per cent more efficiently. More »


Science

Researchers Develop Incredibly Efficient Air Conditioning Tech

7:00AM June 21, 2010 | Jack Loftus

My current apartment lacks air conditioning of any kind. Good for the environment and the utility bill, but bad for me and my restless sleep. News today of some crazy 90% more efficient AC has made me feel worse. More »


Geek Out

Refreshment

10:20AM August 22, 2009 | Mark Wilson

Sometimes the extra little bit of effort pays off. [Photo by Sarah Ji via Chicago Reader]


Geek Out

This Is How Office Assistants In Tiny Shorts Fight Freezing

6:40AM August 18, 2009 | Jesus Diaz

I came today to Gawker’s office—under 35C heat and 95 per cent humidity — to find Julia, our brilliant office assistant, typing inside a Slanket, hiding her shorter-than-short shorts. My first reaction: “What the hell are you doing?” Her explanation was good. More »