Otis Singleton
Chrysler Airtemp electric furnaces have been around since the 1940s, with the company manufacturing a range of cooling and heating products for residential and commercial use. The Airtemp brand was born in 1934 and quickly rose to prominence during the early days of air conditioning, becoming known for its reliable products. Over the years, Airtemp expanded its offerings, producing window units, central-station condensing units, and commercial refrigeration units. In the mid-1950s, Chrysler cars boasted the industry's most efficient and highest-capacity air conditioning. While the specific production dates of the electric furnaces are unclear, the company's history provides insight into the likely timeframe of their creation and use.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Launch Year | 1934 |
| Leader | W.C. Newberg |
| Products | Room coolers, central station equipment, commercial refrigeration equipment, marine units, winter air conditioners, gas forced air furnaces, oil and gas furnaces, electrostatic filters |
| Average Service Life | 15-20 years for forced air furnaces, 10-15 years for air conditioning condensing units |
| Manufacturing Plant | Dayton, OH (before 1976), Edison, NJ (after 1976) |
| Sales Records | Set in 1969 and 1970 |
| Plant Built | 1947 |
| Plant Designer | Albert Kahn |
| Plant Size | 640 feet by 360 feet |
| Plant Features | No windows, air-conditioned by company's own equipment |
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What You'll Learn
Chrysler Airtemp furnaces were built in the 1970s
In the 1940s, Chrysler Airtemp built equipment ranging from room coolers to large central station equipment and commercial refrigeration units. In 1947, a new plant was completed, producing hundreds of window units, central-station condensing units, and commercial refrigeration units each month. In the 1950s, Chrysler cars could boast the industry's most efficient and highest-capacity air conditioning. During this decade, Airtemp also launched its Slender air conditioning line, which minimised space usage.
In 1969 and 1970, Airtemp set new sales records, winning large-scale contracts, including the BBC building. In 1971, Airtemp moved its non-automotive manufacturing from Dayton to a new factory in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Airtemp furnaces from the 1970s are likely to be electric or gas-powered. These older units are known to be durable and easy to repair, but they may lack modern safety features. The average service life of a forced-air furnace is 15-20 years, so units from the 1970s may still be in use today.
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They were electric and gas furnaces
The Airtemp brand was born in 1934 and became well-known for its reliable residential air conditioning and furnaces, as well as large-scale commercial air conditioning and commercial refrigeration equipment. In 1948, Chrysler Airtemp built equipment ranging from room coolers to large central station equipment, with commercial refrigeration equipment ranging from 1/4 horsepower to 75 horsepower, as well as marine units. They also built winter air conditioners that doubled as forced-air heaters, which could be fuelled by gas, oil, or coal.
In 1959, Airtemp launched a line of "Slender" air conditioners, which were space-saving, as well as 140,000 BTW oil and gas furnaces. In the 1960s, Chrysler Airtemp sold gas forced-air furnaces, which were known for their high quality. These furnaces were likely built in the 1950s, as this was when the company's original plant was converted to build heating equipment.
Airtemp's furnaces were both electric and gas-powered. For example, a user on HVAC-Talk who had inherited a house with a Chrysler Airtemp electric furnace was seeking advice on connecting it to the central air unit. Meanwhile, another user on the same platform mentioned that their house had a gas furnace, which they believed to be newer than their electric Chrysler Airtemp furnace.
Chrysler Airtemp furnaces were likely built at least until 1971, as one user on Reddit mentioned that their house, built in 1971, had an original Chrysler/AirTemp furnace.
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Airtemp was a division of Chrysler
Airtemp was a division of the Chrysler Corporation, which was incorporated in 1934. Airtemp was re-absorbed into Chrysler in 1938 as a division, after the Airtemp Corporation was incorporated in 1934 and utilised a former Maxwell factory. Airtemp was known for manufacturing reliable residential air conditioning and furnaces, large-scale commercial air conditioning, and commercial refrigeration equipment.
In the 1930s, Chrysler created a formal vehicle parts division under the MoPar brand, which remains a colloquial term for vehicles produced by the company. In the 1940s, Airtemp dominated the industry, supplying medical refrigeration units during World War II. By 1941, Airtemp had over 500 dealers, each backed by an installation engineer, and by 1948, it employed 1,325 people in Dayton. In 1948, Chrysler Airtemp built equipment ranging from room coolers to large central station equipment, with commercial refrigeration equipment ranging from 1/4 horsepower to 75 horsepower, and marine units.
In 1950, Airtemp created a new laboratory for research and development, possibly the most advanced of its kind in the industry. In 1959, Airtemp launched the "Slender" air conditioning line, which minimised space usage and was a commercial success. In the 1960s, Airtemp continued to innovate, launching products such as the 140,000 BTW oil and gas furnaces, the "Power Miser" compressor, and an advanced electrostatic filter for dust, pollen, smoke, and odours. During this time, Airtemp also acquired Therm-O-Rite Products Ltd. of Toronto, renaming it Chrysler Airtemp Canada Limited.
However, by the 1970s, Airtemp began to lose money, and in 1976, Chrysler sold Airtemp to Fedders for $20 million. After the sale, Fedders closed the plant and eventually sold it to General Motors. Despite this, the Airtemp name was revived in 2012 by Nordyne under a private label, showcasing the enduring legacy of the brand.
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Airtemp was purchased by Fedders Corp in 1976
Airtemp, a brand specialising in cooling and heating products, was established in 1934. Over the years, Airtemp became well-known for its reliable residential air conditioning and furnaces, as well as large-scale commercial air conditioning and commercial refrigeration equipment.
In 1976, Airtemp was purchased by Fedders Corp, an American company founded in 1896 by Theodore Fedder. Fedders initially produced milk cans, bread pans, and kerosene tanks, later expanding into the manufacturing of room air conditioners in 1946.
The purchase of Airtemp by Fedders Corp occurred within the context of a downturn in market conditions for room air conditioners between 1970 and 1975. National shipments of room air conditioners decreased significantly during this period, impacting companies like Fedders. To address this challenge, Fedders strategically shifted its focus towards central air-conditioning systems. As a result, it acquired the domestic assets of Chrysler Corp.'s unprofitable Airtemp division in 1976 for approximately $58.5 million.
Following the acquisition, the operations of Airtemp were moved from Dayton, Ohio, to Edison, New Jersey, in 1977. This relocation allowed Fedders to consolidate its newly acquired assets and integrate them into its existing infrastructure. The purchase of Airtemp by Fedders Corp. marked a significant step in the evolution of both brands, with Airtemp gaining new resources and support, while Fedders expanded its capabilities and market presence in the heating and cooling industry.
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The average service life of forced-air furnaces is 15-20 years
The Airtemp brand was born in 1934 and became well-known for its manufacture of reliable residential air conditioning and furnaces, as well as large-scale commercial air conditioning and commercial refrigeration equipment. In 1948, Chrysler Airtemp built equipment ranging from room coolers to huge central station equipment, with commercial refrigeration equipment from 1/4 horsepower to 75 horsepower, and marine units. In the mid-1950s, Chrysler cars could boast the industry's most efficient and highest-capacity air conditioning. In 1959, Airtemp launched their “Slender” air conditioning line, which minimised space usage, and also launched 140,000 BTW oil and gas furnaces. Gas forced-air furnaces were sold into the 1960s and were known for their high quality.
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Frequently asked questions
The industry average service design life for most forced-air furnaces is 15-20 years.
The Chrysler Airtemp furnace can use electricity, gas, oil, or coal as fuel sources.
The Airtemp brand was born in 1934, and the company built equipment from room coolers to huge central station equipment. The company's furnaces were sold into the 1960s and possibly beyond.
In 1959, Airtemp launched their “Slender” air conditioning line, which minimised space usage. They also launched 140,000 BTW oil and gas furnaces, a “Power Miser” compressor, and an advanced electrostatic filter for dust, pollen, smoke, and odours.
