Air Conditioning: A History of Comfort and Productivity

Heat has become a major disruptor in both residential and commercial spaces. As global temperatures climb, maintaining a comfortable indoor environment is no longer optional. Extreme weather conditions are becoming a common occurrence and we must learn to cope with them. One of the most effective ways to cool your home during a heat wave is an air conditioning system. Air conditioning, therefore, is becoming a critical solution for navigating these rising temperatures and ensuring habitable spaces.

As we experience more drastic summer heat, staying cool is of the utmost importance. Our blog is here to dive into the importance of air conditioning in our world today, and how these machines have progressed over time.

A History Of Air Conditioning

Keep reading to understand more about the history of air conditioning, and how it has developed over time.

The Ancient Origins of Cooling

The concept of air conditioning has roots stretching back to ancient civilizations. The Egyptians, living in close proximity to the scorching Sahara Desert, employed various passive cooling methods to make their buildings more comfortable.

These techniques spread throughout the ancient world, finding use in the Iberian Peninsula, North Africa, the Middle East, and Northern India. However, it would be over a millennium before the next significant advancement in cooling technology.

In 1558, Italian scholar Giambattista Della Porta documented a chilling method using potassium nitrate to freeze ice below its normal freezing point. This discovery laid the foundation for future air conditioning innovations. In 1620, Cornelis Drebbel demonstrated this technique to James I of England, famously "turning summer into winter" by cooling Westminster Abbey using troughs and vats.

Two centuries later, Benjamin Franklin and John Hadley conducted experiments on rapid cooling through evaporation. The University of Cambridge professors evaporated alcohol and ether, highly volatile liquids, to achieve sub-freezing temperatures. They successfully froze an object to -14 degrees Celsius, leading Franklin to famously remark that one could "freeze a man to death on a hot summer's day."

Modern History of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

The 19th century saw significant advancements in freezing technology. In 1820, Michael Faraday discovered that evaporating liquefied ammonia cools its surroundings. John Gorrie, in 1842, applied this principle to create ice, using compression to cool hospital rooms in Florida. He envisioned city-wide cooling systems.

James Harrison, in 1851, built the first mechanical ice maker, producing three tons of ice daily, leading to successful ice businesses in North America.

After the invention of electricity, the world of air conditioning transformed and the stage was set for large air conditioning units. In 1901, Willis H. Carrier invented the first modern air conditioning unit which used electrical power to operate. In 1902 Carrier installed his system for the first time in a New York publishing company. The air conditioning helped to maintain the paper dimensions by controlling the humidity of the rooms.

The Advent of Air Conditioning

Later in 1906, Stuart W. Cramer first used the phrase air conditioning to describe adding moisture to a room to increase its humidity. The term soon gained traction and was used to describe Carrier’s earlier invention. Then in 1914, the first examples of domestic air conditioning were seen in Charles Gilbert Gates’ home in Minneapolis. Despite this, however, the system was likely never switched on as Gates died in 1913 and the house was never inhabited.

The famous window ledge air conditioning unit was first seen in 1932 when H.H. Shultz and J.Q Sherman introduced the technology and during the same year, the first car air conditioning systems were created.

Contemporary Air Conditioning

The late 20th century featured advanced systems capable of cooling, heating, humidifying, dehumidifying, and filtering air. Robert Sherman pioneered this comprehensive technology in 1945.

The Popularity Of Air Conditioning

It’s no wonder that air conditioning is now one of the most common pieces of electrical technology in any home or business. The equipment allows people to regulate the temperature of a room to a comfortable climate which can drastically improve productivity. Additionally, these systems are installed in domestic properties; they also allow those who live in extremely warm climates to relax in comfortable conditions. While AC units are popular, they are also becoming an essential part of daily lives.

In 2018 it was estimated that a staggering 1.6 billion air condition units were installed across the globe and this figure is set to grow to 5.6 billion by 2050. What's more, in the USA almost 100 million homes have air conditioning systems installed. That’s nearly 90% of the population!

The Benefits Of Air Conditioning Installation

There are plenty of benefits to installing air conditioning which is why they have become so popular over the last century. Whether you’re looking to install a system in your home or commercial property they can do far more for you than simply cooling a room. Modern air conditioning units are incredibly capable and have a variety of different settings and options to help regulate your room's temperature and air quality.

Heating & Cooling

Without stating the obvious, the first thing that comes to mind with air conditioning is cooling a room. Modern systems are incredibly efficient at doing this however most of them can also heat your room as well.

Improved Air Quality

Air quality is one of the biggest issues that homeowners and office managers face. After all, poor air conditions can lead to serious health issues, particularly for those who suffer from allergies. Most modern air conditioners can now improve humidity levels and even filter out dust and harmful particles.

Improved health

As we’ve already mentioned, air conditioning will improve your health by maintaining a sufficient level of air quality. However, a stable temperature will also drastically improve your overall well-being and mental health.

Mitchells: Reliable Air Conditioning Servicing & More

Looking for reliable air conditioning contractors? Look no further. Here at Mitchells, we offer a range of high quality air conditioning services in Gloucester. From installation to servicing and maintenance, we’ve got you covered.

Don't let the heat disrupt your comfort or productivity. If you're in Gloucester and need air conditioning servicing or are looking for a trusted air conditioning contractor, contact us today for expert assistance.