In the United States, about 87% of the nation’s 113.6 million homes have air conditioning units, according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. This is a big leap from a 68% air conditioning usage in 1993. Thanks to this invention, people can now relax in their home without worrying about the heat.
Birdwell Heating & Cooling Inc., an AC repair company, explains the history of air conditioning systems.
Getting to Know the Father of Air Conditioning Units
The concept of air conditioning began in second-century China when an inventor named Ding Huane developed a manually powered rotary fan. American inventor and statesman, Benjamin Franklin, was also intrigued by the concept of air cooling and conducted experiments with evaporation and alcohol to reach freezing temperatures. The first modern air conditioner, however, was created in 1902 by Willis Haviland Carrier. He was a skilled engineer who vigorously studied the laws of humidity to solve an application problem at a printing plant in Brooklyn, New York.
The first cooling system prototype was based on the mechanical refrigeration established in earlier years; it sent air through coils filled with cold water while cooling the air at the same time, also removing moisture to control room humidity.
Recent Development
Air conditioners nowadays operate at the same fundamental science as Carrier’s 1933 system, but they now incorporate modern developments in vapor compression, diagnostics and controls, electronic sensors, materials, and thermal efficiency. The U.S. Department of Energy also set energy efficiency standards to optimize the system’s capacity without causing an increase in energy consumption. Smart technologies, such as thermostats, are also installed to maximize your air conditioner’s energy efficiency.
Rely on Birdwell Heating & Cooling Inc. for your HVAC installation and heating repair. Call us today at (256) 229-3009 or fill out our online form to learn more about our products and services. We serve residents of Athens, AL.
