As it gets warmer, you may be planning a new air conditioning installation near Nashville . Before purchasing a new air conditioning system, you may be interested in learning about the history of air conditioning. As air conditioning systems, air conditioning repairs, and AC services have evolved, people have had the benefit of better indoor air quality, longer lasting air conditioning systems, and more efficient and effective air conditioning services. Here is a look back at the general history of the development of air conditioning.
The Earliest Air Conditioning Systems
The earliest attempts at cooling homes began in ancient Rome, when the aqueduct system was used to circulate cool water through the walls of the homes of the wealthy. A Roman emperor named Elagabalus even built a mountain of snow outside his home to cool it during the summer. Other than these expensive attempts at cooling, attempts at designing air conditioning systems declined until the 1800's.
More Advanced Air Conditioning, and the First Home Air Conditioner Installations
In the 1830's, Dr. John Gorrie devised a cooling system for his hospital, which consisted of blowing air over buckets of ice. In 1881, naval engineers built a makeshift air conditioning system consisting of a fan blowing over water-soaked cloths. In 1906, Willis Carrier developed air conditioning coils, and founded the Carrier Air Conditioning Company of America. Stuart Cramer developed a ventilating device that adds water vapor to the air in 1906. In 1914, the first air conditioning installation occurred in the home of Charles Gates.
The Development of Central Cooling and HVAC Systems
After the development of window air conditioning systems by H.H. Schultz and J.Q. Sherman in 1931, air conditioning services became more commonplace in wealthier homes. In the 1950's, residential air conditioning systems become less expensive, and more and more units were sold to middle class families. By the 1970's, HVAC systems and central air was developed. These air conditioning systems consisted of a condenser, coils, and a fan. Now, it’s rare to find a home that hasn’t had an air conditioner installation or air conditioning repairs.