Happy Presidents’ Day!
This month, we pay tribute to our Founding Fathers and reflect on the freedoms their leadership made possible. Our presidents played a significant role in defining America. From molding the U.S. Constitution to fighting for patriotism, our early leaders guided our government and laid the groundwork for years of American prosperity.
But there is more to the presidents than what you learned in history class. It’s true! Did you know several were central to bringing comfort into the White House?
Comforting Facts About the Presidents
To honor Presidents’ Day, here is a fun little history lesson about our presidents and how they integrated comfort into the White House during their time in office.
James Madison
The White House’s first heating system, the Pettibone furnace, was installed in 1809 when James Madison was in office. What did they do when they needed furnace repair? We’re not so sure! But let this be your reminder that professional furnace service can safeguard your heating system all winter.
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson must have felt pampered. After all, he was the first U.S. president to have indoor plumbing in the White House. During his presidency, Jackson installed iron pipes in the ground-floor corridor and a bathing room in the East Wing.
Millard Fillmore
The first president to have a flushing toilet was President Fillmore. It was installed in 1853 and was reportedly made of wood and very noisy! In today’s world, a noisy toilet would undoubtedly benefit from emergency plumbing service!
Abraham Lincoln
Honest Abe reportedly added gas heating to the existing White House heating system in the 1860s.
James Garfield
James Garfield experienced a “make-shift” type of air conditioning after he was shot and dying in the White House in 1881. To lower the temperature in his room, an electric blower forced air through screens that were kept cool with ice and water.
Benjamin Harrison
Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd U.S. president, was the first president to live with electricity in the White House. What you may find “shocking” is that since electricity was still new in 1891, Harrison and his wife refused to touch the light switches for fear of being electrocuted!
Calvin Coolidge
Well, if this isn’t apropos, we don’t know what is: Calvin Coolidge was the first president to have refrigeration. Get it? Cool – idge?
Herbert Hoover
In 1929, Carrier installed the first air conditioning unit in the presidential quarters of the White House during Herbert Hoover’s presidency.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
According to historical records, the government installed a new AC system during FDR’s presidency because the system installed under Hoover’s term wasn’t entirely up to par. However, it’s been reported that FDR wasn’t a fan of the new cooling system and often preferred wallowing in the heat instead of using the AC!
We Are Your Comfort Leaders: Call Us Today!
So, what do you think? Did you pick up a bit of presidential knowledge? We hope so! We also hope you’ll take a moment this Presidents’ Day to reflect on how our lives have changed since our early presidents—especially regarding heating and cooling. And while you may never live in the White House, ARS/Rescue Rooter is always here for your home when it needs heating system repairs, water heater service, air purifier installation, and more.
