Tired of having a sweaty back and seat while driving in hot weather? Wish you had heated seats for those cold mornings? Well, a company in Scottsdale, Ariz., offers an affordable, aftermarket solution - the Cool-or-Heat Seat.
The heart of the Cool-or-Heat Seat is a small thermoelectric power unit/pump that circulates cooled or heated liquid, actually water, through rubber tubing embedded inside the foam-padded back and seat cushion. Coils inside the Cool-or-Heat Seat cool to an average of 40 degrees below the ambient temperature. The seat/back cushion with liquid-filled tubing transfers heat away from the body. Patented thermoelectric technology in the power unit/pump eliminates the need for Freon or other refrigerant. With a flip of a switch, the Cool-or-Heat Seat becomes a seat heater. Now, for example, when the ambient temperature is just 30 F, the seat cushion can reach a comfortable 86 F.
The Cool-or-Heat Seat easily installs on any car or truck seat. It took me about 30 minutes to install this feature on the driver's seat in my motorhome. I did have to make a few minor modifications to the retaining straps in order to fit the oversize captain's chair. Connecting the power unit/pump to the vehicle's electrical system is done via a 12-volt DC vehicle lighter adapter. The unit comes with an AC wall outlet adapter, basically an AC/DC inverter, so it can be used on an office chair, home lounger or even outside on a patio chair.
While the company's literature says, "On really hot days, you will start to feel the coolness of the seat cushion in about 10-20 minutes," I felt a cooling effect on my back and seat within a couple of minutes. The coils inside the seat cushion are pressure activated, so the longer you sit, the cooler it gets. While it was still too hot in Southern California to fully test the unit's heating ability, it seemed to be as warm as the factory-installed heated seats in my Saab.
As an added benefit, the heavy padded seat improves comfort, but may mean reduced headroom for tall people in height-challenged cars.
Even with the most demanding cooling or heating job, the thermoelectric power unit/pump consumes only about 30 watts. When used with the engine running, this is a very small load on the vehicle's electrical system. Since the Cool-or-Heat Seat cushion uses very little power, it can be left on for short periods when the vehicle is not running. This is great when doing errands on hot or cold days. When you stop for a few minutes and leave the system on, it will take only a few minutes to return to maximum coolness. However, it is recommended to switch the unit off and unplug the adapter if turning the engine off for more than an hour.
The thermoelectric power unit/pump fits conveniently under or beside the seat. The electrical system is separated from the seat cushion, so accidental liquid spills on the cushion will not result in an electric shock. All the materials are fire resistant, the circulatory system is airproof and there is no chance of leakage. The product comes with a syringe for refilling the unit with water, as it can become depleted. MSRP: $119.99.
Cool or Heat, LLC is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. For general information please call (877) 801-9811 or contact Krista Walker directly at (602) 684-8956 or e-mail sales@COOLorHEAT.com. Visit www.COOLorHEAT.com for more information, images, downloads, and online ordering.
