Continuing our fascination with vintage doohickies that recess into the wall, lookie this vintage Carrier Climate Center — listed for sale on ebay by freeme28201177. Also, it’s our is our 100th woddity featured on Retro Renovation, thanks to reader James’ eagle-eyed reporting. And what a beauty it is — just look at that trio of gorgeous gauges showing the time, barometric pressure, indoor temperature and humidity — plus the added outdoor temperature gauge on the end. “Proudly Made in the USA,” this climate center does it all!
From the ebay listing:
For your consideration I am offering Vintage Carrier Corp Climate center 1950’s Electric Clock Thermostat Model # -38 E1-1505. New in factory wrapping. The climate center contains the necessary switching to control a heating-cooling system.Comfort gauges, temp control, electric clock for automatic setback to a lower temp at night and warning lights to indicate a system malfunction all are grouped in one panel.
- Carrier # 38E1-1505
- Energy Saver
- Analog Clock
- Outside temp
- Inside temp
- Barometic pressure
- Humidity
- Instructions and manual included
- Mounting bracket, screws are included
- Face plate measures 14″ x 8″
- Proudly Made in the USA
Exactly as Pictured – Please take some time to review the pictures,they are a huge part of the description.The knob for temp control is missing. The knob for temp control is missing, from what I can see this is the only missing part, I am not an expert so please again review all pictures.
Yes, you could be a regular midcentury-style weather watcher with this fancy device.
The unit is meant to recess into the wall and looks like it was quite low-profile for its day.
While this climate center may not be controllable by smart phone, it is sure is pretty — and has quite a few other bells and whistles that make it more fun that your average model on the shelf today.
Even the original instructions and handbook are included.
Mega thanks to ebay seller freeme28201177 for letting us feature this fantastic woddity.
james rieke says
thanks for posting . i get a thrill seeing anything i do on Retro Renovation.
lee says
I’ve never had one of these, but I did have a similar-looking Nutone built-in intercom from this era, with similar styling, a built-in radio you could pipe throughout the house (with internal aux input that will work with a modern iPad or smartphone), and an amplification section full of glowing vacuum tubes that were though obsolete by 1970 (until electric guitarists figured out you couldn’t get that wonderful overdriven-tube sound with transistors and microchips, and demanded tubes in new guitar amps again. See also: vinyl). These intercom head units and their associated parts (like front door caller/speakers) likewise become available occasionally from renovations, and one in a while NOS from someone who never got around to installing it. I’ve since moved several times but the one I had is still installed at the original 1963 house.
The Carrier thermostat should work with most modern HVAC setups. Won’t work with smartphone apps and such, but it’s still more advanced than 95% of the thermostats I see today.
Laura's Last Ditch Vintage Kitchenwares says
My hubby is a weather junkie and would love this thing. I think whoever purchased it got a really good deal.
Andrea says
Did anyone notice what looks like the Chanel logo ?
Douglas Camin @ House on Rynkus Hill says
This is awesome – I wonder if whoever buys it will retrofit the guts to work with modern equipment.
Jay says
What gracefull styling! The good old electro-mechanical days for devices now rendered obsolete by all-digital control w/computer innerface. According to a book I read, it was Carrier that developed and brought to market the concept for A/C. The book had great vintage photos from 20s to 60s.
lee says
Yes, Willis Carrier invented the air conditioner in 1906, and started the first company that built them about 6 years later. My hero !!
Jacki says
According to the barometer, the seller is sitting in the middle of a typhoon or hurricane LOL
Mary Elizabeth says
I thought automatic setback thermostats were a much later invention. Really enjoyed this post.
Kate says
And…it is sold already!
Joan says
Oh, no! I wanted to buy it for my HVACR hubby!
pam kueber says
Well, kaboom, it got the RR-bump!
Andrea says
Pretty neat. I wonder how the outdoor temp works?