How do cooled seats work in vehicles?

Cooled seats work by removing heat from the occupant either by blowing cooled air through perforated seat surfaces or by circulating chilled liquid through channels embedded in the seat. Most modern systems let you adjust the cooling level via the seat’s climate controls for a more comfortable ride.

Two main ways seats are cooled

Automakers typically implement seat cooling using one of two approaches, each with its own hardware and heat-transfer path.

• Air-ventilated seats (seat ventilation): perforated upholstery and built‑in fans push or pull air through the cushion and backrest to carry heat away from the body.


• Liquid-cooled or climate-controlled seats: a closed loop of coolant runs through channels inside the seat, absorbing heat from the occupant and exchanging it with the vehicle’s cooling system.

Both methods aim to reduce surface temperature and improve comfort, but they differ in how quickly they cool, how much energy they consume, and how complex the system is.

Air-ventilated seats: cooling by moving air

Air-ventilated seats rely on fans and perforated fabrics to move air directly through the seat. The air can come from the cabin’s cooled air or from outside the vehicle, and it carries heat away from the skin as it exits through the seat surface.

Common system components include:

• Small electric fans located in the seat base or backrest


• Perforated or breathable seat coverings to allow airflow


• Internal ducts and channels within foam cushions to route air


• Controls integrated with the vehicle’s climate control system


• Power supply from the vehicle’s electrical system

In practice, you select a cooling level, and the fans push cooled air through the seat to help dissipate heat quickly. The effectiveness depends on cabin temperature, outside conditions, and the degree of airflow.

Performance and practical considerations

Ventilated seats offer rapid relief on hot days and are relatively energy-efficient compared with liquid cooling. However, their cooling power is limited by the ability to supply cool air and by noise from fans. They are most noticeable when the cabin is warm but not extremely hot, and when the HVAC system is already running.

Liquid-cooled seats: climate-controlled cooling

Liquid-cooled or climate-controlled seats use a closed coolant loop embedded in the seat to absorb body heat more directly. The coolant is chilled by the vehicle’s air conditioning system or a dedicated chiller and then circulated back to the seat, where heat is released to the coolant and carried away.

Key components of the coolant-based system include:

• A sealed coolant circuit (typically a water–glycol mix) embedded in the seat cushions and backrests


• A compact pump to circulate the coolant


• A seat-side heat exchanger or condenser to drop heat from the coolant


• Connections to the vehicle’s air conditioning system (compressor, condenser, evaporator) or an integrated cooling module


• Thermostats, sensors, and valve controls to regulate temperature and flow


• Electrical controls linked to the seat climate control settings

The result is a more consistent and often more substantial cooling effect at the seat surface, capable of cooling beyond what air ventilation alone can achieve. This approach tends to add weight and cost and may require more maintenance due to hoses and fittings.

How it interacts with the vehicle’s climate system

Because the seat cooling loop often taps into the vehicle’s air conditioning system, it can work in tandem with cabin cooling. In some designs, the seat cooling module can operate even when cabin cooling isn’t set to high, effectively targeting the occupant directly to reduce overall HVAC load and improve efficiency—especially in electric vehicles.

Maintenance and reliability considerations

Cooled-seat liquid loops introduce additional hoses, seals, and heat exchangers, which means a potential for leaks or wear over time. Maintenance may involve inspecting lines for wear, checking coolant levels, and ensuring the seat connections to the HVAC system remain secure. In many vehicles, coolant-based seats are offered as a premium feature with manufacturer-supported service plans to address leaks or component failures.

Choosing and using cooled seats

Most cars offer seat cooling as a selectable feature within the seat climate controls. The setup typically includes separate controls for driver and passenger sides, with multiple intensity levels and, in some cases, independent activation from seat heating.

• Common controls include a cold/low/medium/high setting and a toggle to turn cooling on or off


• Some models allow synchronized or individual temperature targets for each seat


• In hybrids and EVs, seat cooling can contribute to overall comfort while reducing the need for extreme cabin cooling

Ultimately, the choice between ventilation-only and liquid-cooled seats depends on personal preference, climate, vehicle type, and budget. Ventilated seats offer quick relief with simpler maintenance, while liquid-cooled seats provide deeper cooling and consistency in hot conditions.

Summary

Cooled seats work by pulling heat away from the body through either ambient-air ventilation or a liquid coolant loop embedded in the seat. Air-ventilated seats use perforated covers and small fans to move air through the seat, delivering rapid comfort with relatively low energy use. Liquid-cooled seats circulate a chilled coolant through seat channels and exchange heat with the car’s cooling system for stronger, longer-lasting cooling, at the cost of added complexity and maintenance. Both approaches aim to enhance comfort on hot days and can contribute to better perceived thermal management for occupants, especially in electric vehicles where optimizing energy use matters.

How do cooled seats work in a vehicle?

Cooled seats work by using either fans to circulate cool air or a thermoelectric device (Peltier effect) to actively chill the air, both of which blow the cool air through perforations in the seat to keep you comfortable. The two main types are "ventilated seats," which use fans to move ambient or cabin-temperature air, and true "cooled" or "air-conditioned seats," which use a refrigeration system to chill the air.
 
This video explains the difference between ventilated and cooled seats and how they work: 59sChris’s BimmersYouTube · Jul 31, 2022
Ventilated seats 

• Fans located under the seat pull air from the cabin and push it up through the perforated upholstery. 
• This airflow helps to evaporate sweat and move heat away from your body, creating a cooling effect. 
• They are essentially a step up from regular seats, using fans to manage moisture and heat, but they do not use chilled air. 

Cooled seats (refrigerated) 

• These seats have a more active cooling system that chills the air before it reaches the occupant. 
• One method is using the vehicle's main air conditioning system to direct chilled air into the seat. 
• Another common method uses a thermoelectric cooler (TED), also known as a Peltier device. 
• The TED uses semiconductors and electricity to create a temperature difference, making one side of the device hot and the other side cold. 
• A fan blows air over the cold side of the TED, and the resulting chilled air is then directed through the perforations in the seat. 
• The system can be reversed to heat the seat by flipping the current, which makes that side of the device hot. 

This video explains how thermoelectric devices work in heated and cooled seats: 1mMike FyxdtYouTube · Aug 5, 2020
What to look for

• When buying a vehicle, check the features list for "cooled" or "air-conditioned" seats for true refrigeration, not just "ventilated" seats. 
• Both types of seats have perforated upholstery to allow for air circulation. 
• Controls for these seats are typically on the center console, using buttons or knobs with a blue color to indicate cooling. 

Is it possible to add cooled seats to a car?

We can install aftermarket ventilated seats and heated seats on whatever vehicle you drive. If you drive a truck, we have a lot of experience working on all of the different models including the F-150, Silverado, and Ram 1500.

What are the disadvantages of ventilated seats?

The cons or disadvantages of ventilated seats are: Cost conundrum: Ventilated seats often come at a premium price, increasing the initial cost of the car or requiring an expensive aftermarket installation.

Which is better, cooled or ventilated seats?

Ventilated seats use fans to circulate ambient cabin air through the seat, which helps with heat and sweat, while cooled (or air-conditioned) seats are actively chilled using a refrigerant-based system similar to the car's AC, providing a more noticeable and powerful cooling effect. Ventilated seats are effective for comfort in warm climates, while cooled seats are more beneficial in very hot conditions, though they are typically more expensive.
 
This video explains the difference between ventilated and cooled seats: 1mChris’s BimmersYouTube · Jul 31, 2022
Ventilated seats

• How they work: Small fans inside the seat pull in and push out air through tiny perforations in the seat upholstery. 
• What you feel: A general flow of air, primarily to help evaporate sweat and reduce clamminess. It does not feel cold, just like circulating air. 
• Pros: More energy-efficient, provides quicker relief for sweat, and is a less expensive feature. 
• Cons: The effect is subtler and may not be enough in extreme heat; some people may find the fan noise noticeable. 

Cooled seats (air-conditioned seats)

• How they work: A system with a refrigerant similar to the car's main air conditioning chills the surface of the leather seat. 
• What you feel: A noticeable coldness on the seat surface, as if cold air is being blown directly onto you. 
• Pros: Much more effective and powerful at cooling you down in very hot temperatures. 
• Cons: Significantly more expensive and complex to manufacture, making them less common and a more premium feature. 

This video explains how ventilated seats work and their features: 59sSundance MazdaYouTube · Jun 2, 2021
Which one is right for you?

• Choose ventilated seats if you live in a moderately warm climate and are looking for a feature that primarily helps with sweat and general comfort. 
• Choose cooled seats if you live in a very hot climate and want the most powerful cooling effect possible to combat extreme heat.