How Did We Get the Modern AC Technology We Have Today?
Summer is here, which means extreme temperatures and high humidity are also here. Every year, families make their way to the air conditioner we know and love to keep themselves and their homes comfortable all season long. However, have you ever stopped and wondered how we achieved the excellent home comfort we have in our homes today? Luckily, our HVAC experts at Wilmington Heating & Cooling share some helpful information on how we came to have the modern air conditioner and how it was developed.
What Did People Do to Stay Cool Without an AC?
Early methods of keeping cool for our ancestors weren’t always as convenient as modern air conditioners, but with a few tricks up their sleeves, they made it work! For instance, some of the first to understand evaporation for cooling purposes were the ancient Egyptians hanging wet, ice-cold cloths over doorways; that way, when a breeze came through, it was refreshing and cool. Another instance originates from Ancient Rome, where Aqueducts were created. Aqueducts were used to pump water through various parts of the city. These pieces of equipment were used mainly by wealthier folks to keep water circulating, essentially making their homes cooler.
As time progressed, so did the air conditioner! Finally, changes started beginning. John Hadley, a professor at Cambridge University, and Benjamin Franklin researched and presented the effects of evaporative cooling in 1758. This research expressed that objects can be cooled by evaporating inconstant liquids, such as alcohol, on the surface of water. English inventor Michael Faraday would come into the picture later on in 1820, who performed an experiment that resembled the research Hadley and Franklin presented. Faraday used ammonia, which was eventually used as the volatile liquid in the first modern air conditioning unit. Because of this, American physician, Dr. John Gorrie, began the creation of the first mechanical cooling apparatus during the 1830s and finally perfected this piece of equipment in 1851.
Who Invented the Modern AC?
After many years of research and development, the modern air conditioner reached residential homes by the 1900s. Skilled engineer Willis Carrier experimented with laws of humidity control to clear up issues at a printing plant and ended up creating the first home air conditioner and establishing the Carrier Air Conditioning Company of America in 1915. Carrier’s systems used concepts of mechanical refrigeration, sending air through coils filled with cool water. Doing this allowed the system to cool homes and remove moisture from the air, which was huge at the time.
How Did We Get to the Smart Technologies We Have in Our Homes Today?
After a while, air conditioners continued evolving and became very popular across the United States, so tremendously that in 1953 demand was higher than the equipment supply. Between the 1950s and the present, the modern air conditioner has made many advancements, including being a quieter system, having temperature control, being more energy-efficient, and more! For that reason, nearly 75 percent of the country has an air conditioner system in their home. At this point, it has become a necessity for almost everyone!
Improvements and developments are continuously being made to air conditioning systems, but needless to say, we’ve come a long way since what our ancestors had to deal with. If you’re seeking an upgrade for your old air conditioner or need HVAC services, Wilmington Heating & Cooling is always here to help. Call us today at (937) 764-3575, or schedule an appointment online by clicking here!
