The History of Air Conditioning

The warmer months are coming, which means it’s time to fire up the air conditioner. Do you know how this amazingly cool device came to be? Read on to discover the history of air conditioning.

Air Conditioning History

The first crude "air conditioners" were employed by the ancient Egyptians. Reeds soaked in trickling water and hung in the window cooled off the room but also made it more humid, which worked in Egypt's arid climate. But going as far back as 1758, Ben Franklin worked with a chemistry professor at Cambridge University to look into evaporation as a means of cooling.

Then, in 1820, British scientist Michael Faraday compressed and liquefied ammonia, allowing the ammonia to evaporate and using it as a chilling agent. And in 1842, a Florida doctor, John Gorrie, made the first ice using compressors for his patients, since he thought humidity caused disease. But Gorrie saw beyond the ice’s initial application -- he wanted to use the technology to cool buildings, especially in Florida's hot weather. He suspended his man-made ice in a basin above a small room. A pipe above the basin, tied into the chimney, forced hot air out and cool air in. Modern refrigeration is based on Gorrie's principles, and he is considered the inventor of air conditioning.

Electromechanical cooling came about by the hand of Willis Carrier of Buffalo, New York, in 1902. His invention moved cold air through coils cooled with cold water. The air came out chilled, which also allowed for controlling humidity. This process is called evaporative cooling.

A few years later, in 1945, Robert Sherman of Lynn, Massachusetts, invented the first portable air conditioner unit for the window. His unit heated and cooled and humidified and dehumidified the air while filtering it. Sherman’s patent was stolen by a large company, and he never was recognized for his invention in his lifetime.

Air Conditioner Comfort

It's important to note that the first air conditioners used toxic and flammable gases, such as ammonia, methyl chloride, or propane, in their application. The nontoxic, nonflammable chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) gas Freon was invented in 1928. The most common refrigerant gas used in the US for home and building comfort cooling was R-22, and R-12 was used in automobile air conditioners. Since these are greenhouse gases that have environmental implications, CFCs like R-22 and R-12 are slowly being phased out in favor of more environmentally friendly refrigerants. The emphasis now is also on improving indoor air quality and removing pollutants and allergens through the filtration air conditioning provides.

Its amazing how far we have come on staying comfortable during the hot summer months. Make sure your air conditioner, no matter how old continues to run at peak performance. Call us for ac repair or service today! 

Campbell Appliance Heating And Air Inc

3591 Rocking J Rd

Round Rock, TX 78665

(512) 255-0506

http://www.ac-repair-round-rock.com