There is a good chance that when it’s really hot outside, you don’t even venture outdoors because you are staying cool in an air-conditioned room. If you need to drive somewhere in the heat, you probably crank the air conditioning in your car in order to stay cool. Can you imagine not having this luxury? It’s hard to believe that there was a time, not all that long ago, that AC didn’t exist.
The Invention of Air Conditioning
Before air conditioning was invented, Americans sought to keep cool in the heat by fanning themselves, dousing themselves with water, or sitting in the shade. Some people even built their homes underground as a way to keep cool during the sweltering summer months. It wasn’t until the invention of electricity that Americans found better ways to stay cool. The first modern cooling system was invented in 1902 by Willis Carrier, who attempted to combat the humidity at the printing plant in which he worked.
In 1922, Carrier invented the centrifugal chiller, which was a much smaller version of his first invention. These cooling systems were mainly used for commercial use, which is one reason going to the movies became so popular, as it was one way to escape the heat. Eventually, department stores, factories, and other workspaces began using AC, which helped to increase productivity.
Air conditioners didn’t become available for residential use until after WWII. Despite this fact, only 10 percent of homes in the United States had air conditioning in the year 1965. This number has grown exponentially, as today, 84 percent of all homes in the United States have air conditioning. In the South, where high temperatures combined with humidity can make life almost unbearable in the summer, 97 percent of southern homes have AC.
The Benefits of Air Conditioning
AC really is a wonderful invention, and as heat waves seem to be occurring more frequently, it can potentially be a lifesaver. Besides helping you stay cool, air conditioning has some other amazing benefits including:
- It can help to improve the air quality in your home
- It can help you get a better night’s sleep
- It can help to prevent electronic devices from overheating
Air Conditioning Technicians In Downers Grove
If you want to maximize the benefits air conditioning has to offer, it’s important to keep up with maintenance. If your air conditioning is not running as it should contact the HVAC professionals at Fire ‘n’ Ice in Downers Grove today!
