Air Conditioning Systems

The History of Air Conditioning in Hanahan, SC

August 20, 2023

If you’re like most people in Hanahan, SC, you probably don’t give your air conditioning system much thought. However, for thousands of years, figuring out how to cool indoor air remained a real concern. Here’s the history of air conditioners and how they’ve become indispensable today.

Ancient Air Conditioning

Like people in modern times, ancient people also looked for ways to stay cool. Ancient Egyptians and Persians constructed wind catchers, which were large towers with openings that faced the prevailing winds and funneled air down to subterranean pools of water to cool buildings. Similarly, ancient Romans used aqueducts to try to stay cool.

However, modern air conditioners didn’t get their start until a little more than 100 years ago. People now expect cooled interiors whether they’re at home or visiting shops.

The Birth of Modern Air Conditioners

The idea behind air conditioning in modern times initially originated with Dr. John Gorrie, a Florida inventor and physician. During the 1840s, Dr. Gorrie worked to create a system for cooling air because he believed heat exposure caused many illnesses. He patented a horse-powered compressor to create ice, but his financial backer died before he could build it.

The true birth of modern air conditioning came in 1902 through the work of Willis Carrier. An engineer, Carrier worked to develop a solution to wrinkled pages at a lithography and publishing company.

Carrier created a system that could dehumidify air by cooling water or add humidity by heating it. He patented a system of automatic controls to reduce the humidity and temperature in textile mills.

Carrier realized his mechanical air conditioner would likely have broad appeal. He joined with six other engineers, left his job and started the Carrier Engineering Corporation.

Air Conditioners Come to the Market

Following Carrier’s invention, air conditioning took off following the 1904 St. Louis World Fair. The World Fair cooled a 1,000-seat auditorium using Carrier’s air conditioning system. By the 1920s, movie theaters everywhere installed air conditioners to cool their viewing areas.

However, the design of these early systems relied on floor vents that left people on the bottom floor cold while those in the balconies remained hot. Carrier’s company solved this problem in 1922 by installing higher vents in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Theater.

Also in 1922, Carrier debuted a new air conditioning design in New York. This system relied on a centrifugal chiller, which helped to reduce the cost and size of air conditioners. With this change, air conditioners became more accessible to everyone.

Air Conditioning for the Masses

Air conditioned homes became more feasible with Frigidaire’s split-system room air conditioner in 1929. The system’s small size made it much better for home use, but its heaviness and expense kept it out of reach for most people.

General Electric followed suit with its own room air conditioners in the early 1930s. However, the synthesis of non-flammable chlorofluorocarbons refrigerants by two scientists at General Motors made air conditioners substantially safer, representing a true breakthrough in widespread home air conditioning.

By the 1960s, many new homes included central air conditioning systems. Window units became much more affordable, leading to the widespread adoption of mechanical air conditioners.

Concern about ozone depletion led to the phasing out of chlorofluorocarbons as the refrigerant of choice for air conditioning systems through the 1990 Montreal Protocols. While hydrofluorocarbons replaced them, scientists later linked them to climate change. This finding spurred the development of new, more environmentally friendly refrigerants and cooling technologies.

Modern air conditioning systems ensure that residents of Hanahan, SC, remain comfortably cool during the hot summer months. The long history of humanity’s search for a way to condition air demonstrates the importance of the quality AC installation services provided by our service technicians. To learn more about our expert air conditioning installation and other services, call Berkeley Heating & Air Conditioning today.

Image provided by iStock

You May Also Like

What Makes a Geothermal HVAC System Energy Efficient?

What Makes a Geothermal HVAC System Energy Efficient?

When temperatures start falling in Hanahan, SC, your energy bill skyrockets. Energy-saving habits might shave only a few dollars off your bill. If you're tired of bundling up indoors or paying high utility bills, a geothermal HVAC system could offer the efficiency...

5 Heat Pump Components and Their Purposes in Goose Creek, SC

5 Heat Pump Components and Their Purposes in Goose Creek, SC

Heat pumps are becoming more popular in Goose Creek, SC. However, they're mechanically different than most other HVAC system types. To learn more about heat pumps, read about these five heat pump components and their purposes: Compressor The compressor's purpose is to...

5 Ways You’re Making Your IAQ Worse in North Charleston, SC

5 Ways You’re Making Your IAQ Worse in North Charleston, SC

Do you breathe easily outside but have problems doing so at home? Maybe you struggle with allergies or other symptoms and notice dust around your house in North Charleston, SC. Learn about five bad habits that worsen your indoor air quality (IAQ) so you can avoid or...

Pin It on Pinterest

Compliance Settings
Increase Font Size
Grayscale
Simplified Font
Underline Links
Highlight Links
Reset
Close