Climate control has been at the forefront of society’s advancement for hundreds of years. From the earliest known efforts to heat air by the ancient Koreans, Greeks, and Romans and the earliest known efforts to cool air by the ancient Egyptians and Chinese, central heating and cooling methods have been of the utmost importance to humanity. Humans have sought out climate comfort at every turn, looking for protection from the sharp chill of winter and a shield against the searing heat of summer. The history and development of modern heating and cooling systems is the story of how human society has invested in the luxury of climate comfort.
Modern HVAC systems developed based on centuries of experimentation and innovation. The availability of heating and cooling systems has had significant implications in the fields of architecture and leisure, to demography and politics. Read on to learn 15 cool facts about these hot topics.
- The first modern air conditioning system was invented in 1902 by Willis H. Carrier. As an electrical engineer working for the Buffalo Forge Company, Carrier designed the first commercial AC unit for use in a New York publishing house, in an effort to prevent misalignment of ink on printing paper that would expand due to excessive humidity and contract again when the air became dryer.
- The ancient Romans were the some of first people known to use a central heating system. They developed a type of warm-air heating system called a hypocaust which was one of the very first furnace systems in history.
- Some of the first public air conditioning systems in America were installed in movie theaters. The first movie theater installation of an AC system was in the mid-1920s at the Rivoli Theater, located in Times Square of New York City.
- The first patent for a central heating system was granted in 1919 to Alice H. Parker of Morristown, New Jersey.
- According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average lifespan of a central air conditioner is 15-20 years.
- The average lifespan of an energy-efficient furnace is 15–20 years.
- The air duct system in a home needs to be sealed and insulated to maintain HVAC efficiency and keep energy bills low.
- High-efficiency air conditioners use up to 40% less electricity than older AC models, according Austin Energy.
- The air filters in your HVAC system should be cleaned or changed monthly, if possible, to keep it in good working order.
- Heating your home uses more energy than any other system in your home, as reported by the U.S. Department of Energy.
- Both the radiator and the electric heater were invented in the 19th century.
- The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE) is a global association for HVAC professionals.
- The Packard Motor Car Company was the first automobile company to install an air conditioning system into a car in 1939.
- The U.S. Energy Information Administration has stated that air conditioning accounts for an average of 12% of total home energy expenditures in the United States, with the greatest costs in the hot-humid climate region that includes South Texas cities like Austin.
- The Indoor Air Quality Association has noted that HVAC system maintenance reduces the risk of breakdowns that are expensive to remedy by as much as 95%, and extends the life of the system.
If you are looking for HVAC system solutions, from installation to maintenance, The Coolest HVAC company in Austin is ready to assist you! The licensed, experience team can help you with all your HVAC system needs. Contact them today online or by phone at 512-468-6140.
Written by: Erika Mehlhaff
