Fun Facts About Air Conditioning
Air conditioning is often taken for granted because we have become so used to it. We know it’s there when we need to cool off, but if it acts out, then it’s time to call in an expert. It’s a pretty convenient setup. Air conditioning has a very long history and its start shows how creative we have become to reach the comfort we enjoy today. Here are air conditioning fun facts you might enjoy if you’re curious about how air conditioning was developed.
Fun Facts About Air Conditioning
Contents
- 1 Fun Facts About Air Conditioning
- 1.1 The Ancient Egyptians Knew How To Keep Cool
- 1.2 The Founder Of Carrier Is The Inventor Of The Modern Air Conditioning System
- 1.3 Ice Was Used To Keep People Cool
- 1.4 We Are Not As Heat-Tolerant As We Used To Be
- 1.5 The Roman Aqueducts
- 1.6 Mandatory Summer Vacations For Workers Stopped Because Of Air Conditioning
- 1.7 The “Summer Blockbuster” Came About Because Of Air Conditioning
- 1.8 The First Residential AC Systems Cost Nearly As Much As A House
- 1.9 Without ACs, There Would Be Places In The U.S. That Would Have Very Low Populations
- 2 Call Lawes Company For Your Air Conditioning Requirements
This article discusses some interesting facts about cooling that you may be unaware of.
The Ancient Egyptians Knew How To Keep Cool
Egypt has a very hot climate. Ancient Egyptians soaked reeds in water and hung them to cover their windows to keep cool. When the wind blew, the movement of the air helped evaporate the water on the reeds and cool the rooms. This was an early form of evaporative cooling.
The Founder Of Carrier Is The Inventor Of The Modern Air Conditioning System
The engineer, Willis Haviland Carrier, invented the first air conditioner in 1902. It ran on electricity and was initially designed for a printing company. High humidity levels and heat caused the paper to warp which made applying ink impossible. Carrier was able to invent an air conditioning system that provided control over temperature, humidity, ventilation, and air circulation. In 1903, the New York Stock Exchange Building was one of the first places to enjoy the new air conditioning system.
Ice Was Used To Keep People Cool
Prior to air conditioning, people would use ice to cool off. For example, in Egypt people filled shallow trays with water and placed them on straw beds. The cold, overnight temperatures froze the water into ice to use for the next day.
Wealthy Greeks and Romans also imported ice. Those who had enough money could buy ice from shops. They used the ice to cool their homes or to have a cool shower on hot days. In ancient Iran, they collected ice during the winter from mountains nearby and stored in underground containers. They used the containers as a system of windcatchers so that when it was windy, it moved cool air into indoor spaces.
We Are Not As Heat-Tolerant As We Used To Be
Some scientists think that because of air conditioning, many people can no longer stand the heat. This is because we have become used to cooler indoor environments.
The Roman Aqueducts
The Roman aqueducts are an extensive and complex network. Some parts of the structure remain in Spain, Greece, France, Turkey, and North Africa today. The aqueducts were used to bring fresh water from a lake or spring to the large cities. The water was used for drinking, bathing, and irrigation. It also flowed through houses and buildings to cool down indoor areas.
Mandatory Summer Vacations For Workers Stopped Because Of Air Conditioning
Prior to the invention of air conditioning, offices, schools, and other places had to close during summer because of the hot temperatures. Because of this, people took off for the summer and left work or school for around a month. There are still countries in Europe where people take time off during the summer because they do not have air conditioning.
The “Summer Blockbuster” Came About Because Of Air Conditioning
Before air conditioning in the early 1900s, people did not want to go to movies because it was so hot. This caused movie theaters to have less business during the summer months. To combat that, theater owners started to install air conditioning units for people to stay cool inside their buildings. People loved it because they could go to a movie theatre and keep cool especially since most did not own an AC unit at home. To maximize their profits, film production companies started to show their most important films during the summer to attract moviegoers and maximize their profits.
The First Residential AC Systems Cost Nearly As Much As A House
At first, AC was invented was only used for industrial applications. Residential use air conditioners were not used until installed 12 years later, in 1914. Not only were they huge and bulky (measuring 20′ x 6′ x 7′) but they also were extremely expensive. Back then, only the wealthy could afford the $10,000 to $50,000 cost. This is equivalent to each unit costing around $120,000 to $600,000 today.
Without ACs, There Would Be Places In The U.S. That Would Have Very Low Populations
States like, Nevada, Texas, Arizona, and Florida that have high temperatures would most likely have fewer residents if AC units were never invented.
Call Lawes Company For Your Air Conditioning Requirements
Lawes Company offers heating and cooling services in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, New Jersey. Our technicians are all NATE certified and have the expertise to provide you with HVAC tune-ups, repairs, installations, replacements, and much more.
Lawes Company guarantees competitive heating and cooling service rates in this area. We can reduce your home cooling costs, improve your home comfort, and increase your energy efficiency. If your home requires an HVAC repair or replacement system, we’ll be happy to help you find the best one. We can do this while working within your budget. All of our work is backed with a guarantee to ensure your satisfaction. Give Lawes Company a call today to schedule an air conditioner tune-up or service appointment. We offer free, in-home estimates and free second opinions on all HVAC estimates that you have received from another HVAC company. Call now!
Contact us now at (732) 741-6300 to find out more!