An air conditioner was once a luxury, but over the years it has become standard in most American households. AC units provide much-needed relief when temperatures and humidity are high. Before the 20^th century though, not every household or business enjoyed this amenity, and many countries around the world still consider air conditioning a special treat. Below, the air conditioning contractors of Cowboy’s Heating & Air in Farmersville, OH, offer a brief history of AC in our society.

History of Air Conditioning

The Beginning

While fans were always the top choice in beating the heat, air conditioning has existed in some form since ancient times, but these primitive systems were reserved for the wealthiest class. In Ancient Rome, the upper class used aqueducts to circulate cool water through their home’s walls. Royalty would import snow from the mountains and pack it in the garden outside their villas. Some people even ate the snow to cool their body temperatures.

The next breakthrough in air conditioning came in the 1800s when engineers decided to experiment with ways to produce cold air in hot weather. Devices that blew air through sheets soaked in ice water were some of the first attempts at an AC unit. Dr. John Gorrie attempted a rudimentary machine that produced ice using a compressor, a horse, water, and wind-driven sails. Inefficient and costly, inventors knew there had to be a better way.

Modern AC

Electricity changed the nature of air conditioning. In the early 1900s, the first electric fans started to appear in homes around the United States. These cooling units offered relief on the hottest of days. In 1902, Willis Carrier invented the first modern air conditioning system. His system pushed air through water-cooled coils, but the unit wasn’t initially made for people: He actually intended to control humidity in a printing plant. During the 1920s, his design was enhanced with a centrifugal chiller, adding a central compressor to minimize its size. The Rivoli Theater in Times Square boasted the unit’s debut and became a refuge for many movie-going patrons during the summer, inadvertently leading to the concept of the summer blockbuster film.

Before long, other businesses had air conditioning units installed, but it wasn’t until much later in the 20^th century that homeowners began to incorporate AC into their daily lives. Early units based on refrigerator technology were too bulky and expensive for most homeowners. By the 1960s, only 10% of homes had the luxury, with certain new homes enjoying early forms of central air. But by the 21^st century, that figure jumped to almost 90%. More energy-efficient, cost effective-units with better technology installed by qualified air conditioning contractors have been credited as the reason for the increase.

For the best in air conditioning and heating services, trust Cowboy’s Heating & Air. Serving the Miami Valley area, these air conditioning contractors provide round-the-clock assistance for furnace and air conditioning repairs and more. Visit them online to learn more about their cooling and heating installations, or call (937) 604-1541.