Written by Marc Buckner.
There’s something funny about being a grown adult in South Africa, trying to get life done between deadline stress, gym, traffic, and that little surprise Eskom always keeps up its sleeve. You can have the hustle, the mindset, the fridge full of health drinks and meal prep… but the minute the heat hits and the power cuts out, all bets are off.
That’s when the idea creeps in: maybe heading to the gym for an extra two hours isn’t such a bad idea after all. And not because of the smoothies or the free Wi-Fi. No. Because the aircon is always on, always consistent.
That’s how I knew I was getting older. I started judging places, people, even dates, by whether they had air conditioning.
The obsession started when I installed TCL’s R32 Elite Series aircon in my apartment. The difference was instant. I suddenly had “zones.” A cool room for reading. Another for post-workout recovery. And a guest room my dog LuSi claimed before I could even argue [not that I would].
It was supposed to be a small lifestyle upgrade. But it’s become something more. It’s the background to my life now. The quiet, consistent thing that holds everything together when the world outside is running on Stage 6 chaos.
What makes the TCL aircon range a game changer, especially the R32 Inverter and the A410D non inverter, is that they’re made for this life. Built to handle loadshedding, even when the lights are out, they work like a charm whether you’re trying to keep the office cool enough to concentrate or simply want to enjoy a movie night at home without fanning yourself with the TV remote.
They’re quiet too, which is a win for people like me who live in open spaces and don’t want to feel like they’re working inside an airplane hangar. Plus, with built-in Wi-Fi control, I can cool down the apartment before I even walk through the door. Smart convenience that actually feels like it was made with real people in mind.
These days, that spare room is a little slice of heaven. And if I’m honest, it’s now part of my dating criteria. Because while I’m all for good conversation, let’s not pretend sweating through your shirt is romantic.
I know a few women who manage their entire homes solo, businesses too. And one thing they’ll all tell you? When the power’s out and the heat creeps in, all they want is one thing in their control. Something that lets them breathe, focus, or simply rest in peace, even if it’s just for 30 minutes.
We often talk about wellness like it’s yoga or expensive skin care, but sometimes wellness is air that moves. It’s not sweating through your shirt before 10am. It’s knowing your space will meet you with stillness when you walk in.
So sure, I may be a bachelor. But I’m never sweaty alone…
For more of how I live with my TCL, follow me on Instagram @marcbuckner.
