How Commercial Buildings Used to Stay Cool Without Air Conditioning
Long Before Thermostats and Rooftop Units
Imagine running a business in the middle of a blazing South Jersey summer without a whisper of air conditioning. It might sound impossible today, but just over a century ago, businesses big and small did exactly that—relying on clever building design, resourceful cooling strategies, and a healthy dose of human adaptability.
At Elite Heating and Air Conditioning, we spend our days focused on modern HVAC solutions. But the innovations of the past still inform the present. The way commercial buildings were kept cool before the invention of air conditioning isn’t just a fun footnote—it’s a source of real inspiration.
Design Wasn’t Just About Style—It Was Survival
Before the first air conditioners hummed to life, buildings were thoughtfully designed to beat the heat without machinery. Architects knew that airflow, shade, and thermal mass could be just as powerful as any fan or compressor.
Commercial buildings from the 1800s and early 1900s often featured tall ceilings that allowed hot air to rise well above working occupants. Windows weren’t just for views—they were placed strategically across from one another to channel cross breezes. Many businesses installed transom windows above doors, which let warm air escape while keeping the space secure. Outside, deep overhangs, wide porches, and awnings blocked direct sunlight from heating up the building’s interior.
Materials played a huge role, too. Thick brick and stone walls helped stabilize interior temperatures, absorbing heat slowly and releasing it overnight. These high-mass materials created a natural buffer between the indoors and the sweltering summer sun.
Orientation mattered just as much. Builders often positioned commercial structures to capture prevailing winds or to limit southern exposure. In short, every element of the building served a purpose—keeping it cool, comfortable, and functional long before electricity was standard.
The Era of Ice and Fans
Once electricity became more widespread in the late 19th century, businesses began to supplement passive cooling with mechanical help. Electric fans became increasingly popular, and by the 1920s, they were a staple in banks, office buildings, and department stores. These fans didn’t cool the air, but they did make it feel cooler by speeding up evaporation from the skin.
But it wasn’t just fans doing the work. Ice played a surprisingly big role. Ice blocks—harvested from lakes or manufactured in plants—were placed near air vents or in special compartments to cool the air as it passed over them. Some commercial spaces even built makeshift air chillers by blowing air directly over ice blocks, creating a rudimentary form of refrigeration.
By 1907, the U.S. ice trade was delivering more than 90 million tons of ice annually. That’s a staggering number considering it was all manually distributed and replenished. Businesses used it not just to cool food, but to help cool rooms, calm customers, and maintain productivity.
And when the heat was just too much, some commercial buildings adapted their schedules. Office workers would start early and leave before the worst of the afternoon heat. Retailers might close midday and reopen later in the evening. Productivity ebbed and flowed with the thermometer, and that was just accepted as part of doing business.
The Invention That Changed Everything
In 1902, a young engineer named Willis Carrier installed the first mechanical air conditioning system at a printing plant in Brooklyn, New York. Originally designed to control humidity and protect paper quality, the system also made the air noticeably cooler. This accidental breakthrough would soon revolutionize every commercial space imaginable.
At first, air conditioning was confined to industrial applications—textile mills, munitions factories, breweries, and other spaces where product quality depended on stable environmental conditions. But by the 1920s and 30s, forward-thinking retailers and theater owners began to realize that cool, comfortable spaces could attract more customers.
Movie theaters became pioneers of comfort marketing, famously advertising “cooled by refrigeration” on their marquees. The Rivoli Theater in New York drew summer crowds specifically because of its air-conditioned interior. Department stores quickly followed, offering shoppers a respite from the heat and, as a result, longer and more frequent visits.
After World War II, air conditioning expanded rapidly. With advancements in refrigerant technology and ductwork, entire office buildings began to be cooled year-round. By 1950, less than 10% of U.S. buildings had air conditioning. By 1980, more than half did. Today, over 90% of commercial buildings rely on HVAC systems to maintain comfort, control indoor air quality, and support round-the-clock operations.
A/C’s Economic Ripple Effect
The impact of air conditioning went far beyond comfort. It reshaped cities, workplaces, and economies. With climate control, buildings could be sealed, designed taller, and placed in previously uninhabitable climates. Southern cities like Atlanta, Phoenix, and Houston saw population and commercial growth skyrocket in the post-A/C era.
In the workplace, air conditioning extended working hours and improved employee productivity. Studies have shown that performance drops significantly when indoor temperatures exceed 77°F. With A/C, those dips in efficiency disappeared—replaced by climate-controlled environments that could support high-performance work, complex equipment, and sensitive materials.
Retail, hospitality, finance, and healthcare industries all expanded their capabilities thanks to A/C. Shopping became a year-round activity. Data centers became possible. Modern hospitals emerged, where temperature-sensitive equipment and sterile conditions were essential. The ripple effects are still felt today.
What We’re Relearning From the Past
Interestingly, many of the strategies used before air conditioning are being reexamined today, especially as building owners seek to reduce energy consumption and improve efficiency. Passive cooling isn’t just for history books—it’s a key component of sustainable design.
Techniques like cross-ventilation, thermal mass, and strategic shading are being re-integrated into modern commercial architecture. Operable windows are making a comeback in energy-conscious buildings. “Night flushing,” where cooler evening air is used to purge heat from a building, has returned—now controlled by automated systems instead of janitors with keys.
Even green roofs, deep overhangs, and light-colored reflective materials have roots in centuries-old design. These features reduce the heat load on buildings, allowing smaller, more efficient HVAC systems to do the rest. It’s not about replacing air conditioning—it’s about making it work smarter, not harder.
Elite Heating and Air Conditioning: Blending Old Wisdom with Modern Power
At Elite Heating and Air Conditioning, we believe that the most effective commercial systems combine the best of both worlds. We design and maintain high-efficiency HVAC systems that support modern business demands—while also understanding the impact of architecture, insulation, and airflow on long-term comfort.
Whether you own a vintage commercial property in South Jersey or a new mixed-use development, we can help you optimize your building’s performance. From strategic upgrades and zoning systems to smart thermostats and preventative maintenance, we tailor solutions that lower operating costs and improve tenant satisfaction.
And if you’re planning a retrofit or energy-efficiency upgrade, we’ll help you find ways to incorporate time-tested strategies that align with today’s sustainability goals.
From Breezeways to Rooftop Units—Comfort Has Come a Long Way
The story of cooling commercial buildings is one of constant evolution—from transom windows to thermostats, from ice blocks to high-efficiency rooftop units. But the heart of the story remains the same: smart design, creative thinking, and a relentless drive to make indoor spaces more comfortable.
Want to bring that legacy of innovation into your building? Call Elite Heating and Air Conditioning of South Jersey today. We’ll help you write the next chapter—cooler, cleaner, and more efficient than ever.
- air conditioning history, building cooling methods, business and air conditioning, commercial hvac, Elite Heating and Air Conditioning, historical building design, passive cooling, South Jersey HVAC, sustainable cooling
