As you sit in your comfortably air conditioned home, you probably do not think much about what it took for your air conditioning unit to evolve to what it is today. Air conditioning is a luxury that people did not have until the last few generations. How did it all begin?
1758
Benjamin Franklin and John Hadley, a Cambridge University professor, discovered that when some liquids evaporate, it can cool down an object to freezing temperatures. One example of these liquids is alcohol, and they evaporate quicker than water.
1902
Willis Carrier invented the Apparatus for Treating Air in Brooklyn, NY, to regulate temperature and humidity in a publishing company to keep the paper from wrinkling and the ink aligned. This machine operated by blowing air over cold coils. With this invention, Carrier began the Carrier Air Conditioning Company of America.
1914
For the first time, air conditioning was available for residential use. AC units were very large and expensive. Only the wealthy were able to install air conditioning in their homes.
1970
Central air finally came into the picture. The units had a condenser, coils, and a fan. R-12, also known as freon-12, made its debut as the refrigerant.
1994
Ozone depletion was discovered and experts said that freon was partly to blame. As a result, freon was banned in many countries. Auto manufacturers were forced to switch to R134a, a less harmful refrigerant. Coolants that are more safe for the environment were introduced.
Now
Air conditioning technology has come a long way. Today, we have come as far as having units in our homes that can even be controlled wirelessly from your smartphone or computer. If your unit is over 10 years old, it is time to replace your old air conditioning unit. Older models are inefficient and can make your energy bill high.
With professional installation, Air Advice Heating & Cooling can update your home and increase your quality of life. Make sure that your unit is not stuck in the past and take advantage of how far air conditioning technology has come. A new unit can save you money on your energy bills and can give you peace of mind in your home during those hot months.
