Ventilated seats
usually come as an optional feature on some car trims, and to install them, you may need to pay extra. This leaves one to ask the question, “are ventilated seats worth it?” Whether they are worth it depends on many factors, including individual preferences.
We will highlight everything you should know about ventilated seats in this article, including how they work to help you determine whether they are worth it.
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Are Ventilated Seats Worth It?
Ventilated seats are worth it, especially for someone who doesn’t like warm weather conditions. These seats are designed with holes and perforations within their upholstery that allow air circulation through the seats and ensure that you don’t sweat when driving.
Even though ventilated seats might seem like a great feature for every vehicle, you need to note that they are not always cheap and affordable. Another thing to note is the seats are a great feature for anyone who never feels comfortable sitting for long on regular car seats.
Alternatively, if you enjoy sitting on your vehicle’s regular seat, getting these seats may not change anything for you.
The seats are generally considered a luxury, but this doesn’t directly imply that they are necessary. You can always enjoy the comfort of your vehicle even without ventilated seats in them.
However, with these seats, you will always enjoy more comfort, especially if you are going on longer trips. People often mistake ventilated seats for heated and cooled seats, but they are completely different from each other.
The main difference between ventilated and cooled seats is that ventilated options have holes that enhance air flow through them. On the other hand, the cooled options use a cooling fan to enhance air circulation around the seats.
What Are Ventilated Seats?
Ventilated seats are seats with perforations
through which air can easily pass through. In general, the seats that come with almost every car don’t have these perforations, but this doesn’t mean they are impermeable. These seats also offer impressive rigidity.
The main reason why ventilated seats are added to vehicles is that they increase the level of comfort that passengers and drivers enjoy. This doesn’t depend on the duration of the journey. Basically, you won’t feel the build-up of heat when you sit in your back seat for long. They play the role of an AC but for the laps, back, and buttocks.
As mentioned earlier, not every car comes with ventilated seats, but the good thing is that you can always buy them as an aftermarket part for your vehicle. You should know a few things before buying these seats, including how they work.
How Ventilated Seats Work
These seats work via an impressive and fascinating mechanism, and the first thing you should understand is that they don’t utilize refrigerated air. The design includes small fans that are installed within the fabric to make the seats breathable.
Some designs allow air to be sucked in through the seats to increase the comfort of the occupants in the vehicle. Conversely, some options blow air to the occupants of the seat. Another thing to note is that the driver’s seat is usually the common one that comes with ventilated options.
Before now, these seats were only present on luxury cars. However, they are now growing popular in mainstream trucks, SUVs, and regular cars.
How Do They Differ from Non-Ventilated Seats
The differences between ventilated options and non-ventilated options are straightforward. With ventilated options, you will notice holes on the seat’s surface, enhancing the flow of air. The ventilated options are a vital inclusion for hot days because they further improve air circulation within the vehicle.
On the other hand, the non-ventilated options don’t have these holes on the seats and have very little or no effect on the circulation of air. Another thing to note is that the ventilated options are mostly found on luxury vehicles whereas the non-ventilated options are common on almost every type of vehicle.
While the ventilated options help in the reduction of body heat to prevent sweating the non-ventilated options don’t offer this feature.
Vehicles That Have Ventilated Seats
The seats are common on most luxury vehicles but they continue to grow in popularity and are now included in almost every vehicle. However, if you are looking to buy a car that comes with these seats then you have a few premium brands on the market that you can consider.
Example of some of the brands that come with the seats include Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover, and Tesla. You can also find them in the SUV lines from these manufacturers. In addition you can also find the seats in less expensive vehicle brands like Mazda, Honda and Toyota. However this is not on all the models produced by these brands.
Basically most vehicle manufacturers only provide heated seats, cooled seats and ventilated options on specific models. If you want the seats on a model that’s not offered by the manufacturer, you might need to get an aftermarket option.
Some of the popular vehicle models you will find the seats on Acura MDX and RDX, Lexus UX200 and ES30, Buick Envision and Encore, BMW M340i and 540i, Honda Civic Hatchback and CR-V, Ford Escape and Mustang Ecoboost, Land Rover, and Range Rover, and Chevrolet Corvette and Impala.
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Ventilated Seats?
The advantages and disadvantages of ventilated seats are many, and you need to know them before you opt for this feature in your vehicle. Knowing their pros and cons is the first step towards getting the correct type of vehicle and ensuring it performs effectively.
With that said, here are the advantages and disadvantages of these seats that you should know:
The Advantages
The advantages of these seats include the following:
- The seats can be a luxury feature, further advancing your car and making it feel high-end.
- These seats help to increase the life span of a car’s upholstery because they prevent body oils and sweat, both of which can cause fabric damage.
- They help to increase the level of comfort you enjoy especially during hot days.
- The seats are great when it comes to providing relief for back pains and other similar conditions that can cause you to feel uncomfortable when you sit for long.
The Disadvantages
Despite the advantages of these seats, there are also a few disadvantages to have in mind and they include the following:
- The seats are usually noisy, and this can be unpleasant for someone who is looking to enjoy a peaceful ride.
- They are not a great option to use when the weather is cold.
- The seat can drain the battery of your vehicle and if you like long trips, then they might not be a great option for you.
What Are the Factors to Consider Before Installing Ventilated Seats?
The main factors to consider before installing ventilated seats include health conditions, climate, cost, and installation ease. It’s vital that you consider all of these factors before you install these seats, and below is a quick overview of some of these factors.
They include the following:
Health Conditions
The first thing you want to check before you install the seats is your health condition. Certain health conditions make it difficult for people to cool down. Examples of these conditions are Menieres disease and Multiple Sclerosis. Basically, with any of these conditions, the seats become a necessity.
Climate
Another vital thing to consider before installing the seats is the climate within your region. If you live in areas with hot climates all year round, the seats will be worth investing in. However, if you are in a region where the weather condition is not always hot you will not need to get these seats.
Cost
In addition to the factors above, cost is also a vital thing that you should consider before you install these seats in your vehicle. The seats are usually more expensive than the regular seats.
One factor that makes them more expensive is the fact that their installation proves the use of more engineering and technology. Despite the high cost of the seats what you should know is that it’s a worthy investment.
What Are Maintenance Requiements Tips for Ventilated Seats?
The maintenance tips for the seats are many, and you need to know them so that you can keep the seats performing efficiently. These seats make it easier for drivers and passengers to stay cool during hot weather, but you need to ensure that they always function correctly.
If you are wondering how you can maintain your seats and ensure that they are in top shape, these tips will guide you:
- Always ensure that water doesn’t go into the vents when you clean the seats. This can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which can affect your health and alter the performance of the seat.
- Avoid using harsh chemicals and solutions whenever you clean the seat because they can cause irreversible damage to the seats. It’s always best to use mild soap and water to clean the seats.
- If you notice the seats start to smell, you might need to consider using a deodorize or fabric freshener. Also, avoid using harsh chemicals as a remedy for unpleasant smells.
- The seats should always be dry to prevent the growth of microorganisms.
- If you want to clean any debris or dirt, you might want to consider using the attachment on the vacuum as a cleaning aid.
The exciting thing about these tips is that they are all very easy to follow, and you won’t need to hire a professional. Rest assured that this will help keep your seats in top shape and ensure they consistently perform efficiently.
Conclusion
With everything above, it’s clear that ventilated seats are worth it, particularly for someone who lives in a region with hot weather conditions. We have outlined the key things you should know about the seat in this article, including how they work. Here’s an overview of everything in this article.
- The seats have holes and perforations in the upholstery, designed to help in air circulation through the seat.
- There are different things to consider before buying the seats. This includes climate, cost, individual preference, and health conditions.
- The seats are common in luxury vehicles, but they can now be found on many regular vehicles as well.
The bottom line is that they are worth installing on your vehicle, and you can be sure to feel more comfortable with these seats. However, some of these seats produce noise, which may be a drawback for some people.
References
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00140130601154921
- https://www.carparts.com/blog/what-are-ventilated-seats-and-are-they-worth-it/
- https://autocareaids.com/are-ventilated-seats-worth-it/
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