Air Conditioned Clothes

Worried about global warming but can't live without the air conditioner? don't worry here is a solution that can satisfy both worlds.

Cool Biz, a combination of the English words cool and business, is the catchword in Japan this summer. It is the title of a government campaign to persuade office workers to dispense with their ties and jackets as an environmentally friendly way of staying cool without lowering the air conditioner thermostat. And now an innovation called kuchofuku (air-conditioned clothing) is taking the Cool Biz concept one step further. This new type of garb lets people stay cool even in long sleeves.

Air-conditioned clothes have two small fans about 10 centimeters in diameter attached to the right and left sides of the back of the clothing, just above the waist. The fans draw in a large amount of air and help to vaporize sweat. As the perspiration evaporates, heat is dissipated, bringing down the wearer's body temperature. Sweating is the human body's natural air conditioner, and air-conditioned clothes are designed to give this mechanism a boost, ensuring that it functions properly even on the hottest, most humid days.

Two types of air-conditioned clothing are now on sale: a work jacket, which comes in short- and long-sleeved versions, and a long-sleeved blouson. Though both appear oppressively hot at first glance, they have won rave reviews for being extraordinarily comfortable and capable of keeping even the hardest worker cool.

The work jackets are available in either 100% polyester or 100% cotton, while the blouson is 100% polyester. The fans run on four rechargeable AA-size nickel-hydrogen batteries that can be used again and again, thereby minimizing the impact on the environment. The fans are light and do not weigh the wearer down.

According to Kuchofuku Inc., it is far cheaper to purchase this clothing than a large-scale air conditioning system. The running costs are also minimal, meaning that companies can save on their usually high electricity bills during the summer months. The clothes are not just economical, but they also help boost worker productivity and aid in the fight against global warming.

I guess this is a cool idea. Care for the environment and still stay cool. What say?

Thanks,
Vikas