Air conditioning is a modern convenience that we take for granted. But like so many modern technologies, few of us know how it came to be.
Evolved from Ancient Egypt
Air conditioning wasn't so much invented as evolved. It evolved from the much older technology of using evaporation to cool an indoor space. Today’s evaporative coolers, sometimes called swamp coolers, are the direct descendants of this technology. The Ancient Egyptians would circulate water through the walls of their building for cooling. Since water was scarce in arid Egypt, this first air conditioning design was something only the aristocracy could afford.
Medieval Persians Invented the Swamp Cooler
Evaporative cooling can be traced as far back as Medieval Persia, where wind would be captured in wind traps and channeled over water in open cisterns. The water would then evaporate and cool the interior of the house. In their own way, it could be said the Persians invented the swamp cooler.
Modern Air Conditioning
The first step toward the modern air conditioner was taken in 1824 when a British scientist named Michael Faraday discovered that air could be cooled by the evaporation of ammonia that had been liquefied by compression.
Willis Haviland Carrier developed the first electric air conditioner in 1902 and ushered in the age of modern air conditioning . In fact, HVAC technology debuted in 1902, when the New York Stock Exchange became the very first building to use separate AC units to cool and heat the air.
In 1924, the first industrial application of electric air conditioning was implemented in a printing plant. Stuart W. Cramer invented the term "air conditioning" back in 1906 when he applied the primitive, non-electrical, HVAC technology of the day to the textile industry. Needless to say, his employees were grateful.
Air Conditioning in Homes
The 1950s saw the expansions of home ownership coincide with improvements in HVAC technology. For the first time, homes were built with what could be considered truly modern HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Cooling) systems.
Air conditioning has come a long way-- we wouldn't have our modern world without it! Air conditioning makes modern architecture possible. If it weren't for air conditioning units, our present-day tall, boxy skyscrapers would not have sufficient ventilation.
Air Conditioning in Vehicles…and Everywhere!
Air conditioning has also become common in vehicles, from airplanes and space shuttles to the family car. This technology has assisted in the operating room and improved air quality in the workplace. You can find everywhere from the ICU to the YMCA: air conditioning is everywhere! Refrigeration and air conditioning technology helps keep your children healthy and your food fresh. It keeps vaccines from spoiling, popsicles from melting, and the family safe from heat stroke on swelteringly hot days.
One thing is for sure - air conditioning is here to stay!
Other HVAC solutions:
- HVAC Maintenance: Tips to Keep Your Equipment Running
- What is HVAC? HVAC is an acronym that stands for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning.
- Who Invented Air Conditioning? Air conditioning is a modern convenience that we take for granted.
- How to Choose an HVAC Contractor This article will help you choose an HVAC Contractor.
- Superior HVAC Energy Efficiency By Upgrading Your HVAC System…And Other Fixes
- HVAC: What is it? The Basics Explained
- HVAC Design: The Importance of Properly Sized HVAC Equipment
- HVAC / Air Conditioning: A Quick Primer and History
- Sizing Up HVAC Prices: How to Choose the Right Air Conditioner
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Your home energy audit proved to be very informative and helpful. I was not aware of the updraft created inside our walls because of the balloon framing construction. You said that that can cause heat to be pulled out of the house with the draft going up inside the walls and should be re-mediated. You also said that the attic insulation was insufficient and that fiberglass batts can leave spaces for around the edges causing heat loss and that it should have blown in insulation on top of what was there to seal the whole attic and increase the r factor. After going over your findings and telling me how you would fix the problems you told me how I could do it myself with stuff from the Home Center and for a quarter of the cost. Well, I did. I went into the basement and filled the bottom of the wall joist with unfaced insulation where they set on the sill plate. I then cut one inch foam board the size for each space and set it in and the sealed the edges of that with expanding foam as well as the sill plate to the foundation. I also sealed the sill plate to the foundation where the joist ran along it, as well as the top of those joist where it made contact with the subflooring. Next I went to the home center and rented their blown insulation machine and got ten bales of the insulation. I filled the attic on top of the batt insulation with about six inches giving another r-19 factor on top of the r-19 that was there. You said that the blown in would also help seal the heat loss around the edges of the batt. The work in the basement cost $144.00 and the work in the attic cost $328.00. After the 30% federal energy tax credit it will end up costing me about $330.00, which you said I should recover in savings in the first year. Thank You for all your advice and expertise. You made me aware of things I should consider and did.
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