Air conditioning is an essential life of our everyday modern lives. However, it does not mean that this cooling unit is not taken for granted. These devices have been providing us with cool air for a long time, and we only need to call HVAC professionals when they act out. What many people do not know is the long history that air conditioners have. How it began is proof that we have come a long way in achieving the indoor comfort we have today.
Fun Facts About Air Conditioning
Contents
- 1 Fun Facts About Air Conditioning
- 1.1 People Used Ice To Keep Cool
- 1.2 The Ancient Egyptians Knew How To Keep Cool
- 1.3 The Roman Aqueducts Brought Water To The Cities And More
- 1.4 The “Summer Blockbuster” Came About Because Of Air Conditioning
- 1.5 Carrier’s Founder Is The Inventor Of The Modern Air Conditioner
- 1.6 The First Residential AC System Cost As Much As A House
- 1.7 Mandatory Summer Vacations For Workers Stopped Because Of Air Conditioning
- 1.8 Some US States Would Have Very Low Populations If There Were No Air Conditioners
- 1.9 We Are Not As Heat-Tolerant As We Used To Be
- 2 Call PFO Heating & Air Conditioning For Your Air Conditioning Requirements
This article lists a few air conditioning fun facts you might enjoy knowing.
People Used Ice To Keep Cool
Before air conditioning systems came to be, ice was used to keep people cool. For instance, Egyptians utilized shallow trays and filled them with water. They would then put them on straw beds where the temperatures would drop enough to freeze the water. Therefore, the ice would be ready to use when morning comes.
Greeks and Romans also imported ice and snow or ice shops sold them to the wealthy. The blocks or slivers of ice would be used to cool their homes or for cold showers during hot days. The people from Ancient Iran also collected ice in the nearby mountains every winter. They would then store these ices in underground storage that was connected to a system of windcatchers. This way, the wind carried chilly air into the house when it blew.
The Ancient Egyptians Knew How To Keep Cool
Egypt is known to have a sweltering climate. Therefore, Ancient Egyptians had found many ways to keep cool. One of these ways was by soaking reeds in water and hanging them on windows. When the wind blew, the water on the reeds would evaporate and cool the indoor spaces. This method was one of the earliest evaporative cooling forms.
The Roman Aqueducts Brought Water To The Cities And More
The Roman aqueducts are an engineering achievement of their time. It is a complex and extensive network, with some parts remaining in Turkey, France, Spain, North Africa, and Greece today. The aqueducts were utilized to bring fresh water from a spring or a lake to the cities for people to use. The water was for bathing, drinking, irrigation, and even cooling. The water from the aqueducts was allowed to flow through the buildings’ walls so that the indoors can keep cool.
The “Summer Blockbuster” Came About Because Of Air Conditioning
Movie theaters would see a decline in ticket sales every summer during the early 1900s. People back then didn’t like going outside and to the theaters because it was too hot. It was then that theater owners installed air conditioners so that their customers can keep cool and comfortable while they stay inside their establishments. The plan worked, and people flocked to the theaters to watch movies and stay cool as many did not have ACs at home. Film production companies began showing their important films to entice more people to watch movies and maximize profits.
Carrier’s Founder Is The Inventor Of The Modern Air Conditioner
An engineer named Willis Haviland Carrier invented the first electricity-powered air conditioner in 1902. The machine was invented as a cooling solution for a printing company. This was because the hot weather brought high humidity, which made the paper warp and difficult to apply ink on. Carrier invented a cooling system that not only cleansed the air but was also able to control the temperature, air circulation, ventilation, and humidity. As a result, the New York Stock Exchange Building was also fitted with an air conditioner a year later. It was one of the first structures to be installed with air conditioning.
The First Residential AC System Cost As Much As A House
Initially, air conditioners were only used for industrial structures. The first cooling systems that were meant for residential use were only installed 12 years later. These air conditioners were huge, bulky, and very expensive. Only the rich could buy an AC at that time because they came with a $10,000 to $50,000 price tag that, when adjusted for inflation, costs around $120,000 to $600,000 per unit today.
Mandatory Summer Vacations For Workers Stopped Because Of Air Conditioning
Offices, schools, and businesses used to have to close during the summer because the scorching heat was unbearable. There was no air conditioning yet, so people had summer vacations for a month to get some away from the summer heat. Today, summer vacations are optional. However, some European places still had their workers take the summer off because they still don’t have any air conditioners.
Some US States Would Have Very Low Populations If There Were No Air Conditioners
Nevada, Texas, Arizona, and Florida are just some of the states in the United States that have very hot climates. If air conditioning were not invented, these states would probably have less population than they do today.
We Are Not As Heat-Tolerant As We Used To Be
Some scientists state that our use of air conditioners has caused our natural tolerance to high temperatures to drop. As a result, we cannot stand the heat like we used to as our bodies have acclimated to cooler environments.
Call PFO Heating & Air Conditioning For Your Air Conditioning Requirements
When you need superior heating and cooling in Greater Princeton, NJ area, call PFO Heating & Air Conditioning. We hire the best licensed and professionally certified technicians who have the knowledge and experience to provide you with excellent and accurate HVAC services. All our techs are skilled in conducting air conditioner maintenance, furnace repairs, boiler installations, heat pump replacements, and more.
Our company offers competitive and affordable HVAC service rates. Rest assured, our tune-up services can enhance your home’s comfort, improve energy efficiency, and reduce your cooling bills at home. We can also recommend heating and cooling repair and replacement solutions that are within your budget. We provide guarantees with all our works because your satisfaction is our priority. Book an AC tune-up or service appointment with PFO Heating & Air Conditioning today. We offer free, no-obligation, in-home estimates.
Contact us now at (800) 253-9001 to find out more!