HVAC History: Who Invented the Air Conditioner?

Origin of the A/C Unit

You use the air conditioner in your Alexandria home every summer, but can you imagine a time before this modern marvel? Today we’ll be exploring the history of the air conditioning unit, starting with the source– our food.

The need to preserve food led to the invention of the air conditioner. Food preserved at room temperature posed a serious problem as it was infected by bacteria. It was observed that growth of bacteria was inhibited at temperature lower than 4 degrees Celsius. This led to exploration of ways of lowering temperature with the basic purpose of preserving and refrigerating food items. Other related applications, such as air conditioning also followed suit.

Alexandria, VA HVAC HistoryPrinciples of Refrigeration

The modern-day principles of absorption type of refrigeration were first discovered in 1824 when liquefied ammonia was used to chill air through evaporation. John Gorrie created ice using compressor technology in 1842.

Father of Modern Air Conditioning

Willis Haviland Carrier invented the first electrical air conditioning in 1902. He is known as the father of modern air conditioning.

He originally built his prototype with the intent of improving the manufacturing process of commercially available air conditioning applications.

Willis later established the Carrier Air Conditioning Company of America to meet the demand for productivity in the workplace. Tody, Carrier Corporation is the world’s leading air conditioning manufacturing company dealing in central air conditioning.

Discovery of Freon

In 1928, Thomas Midgley discovered Freon gas, which was safer for human use compared to flammable gases, such as ammonia, methyl chloride and propane that were formerly being used in air conditioning systems for domestic and commercial applications alike.

The only downside is that the use of CFC and HCFC refrigerants is rapidly depleting the ozone layer, causing a serious threat to the environment. Of late, a number of ozone-friendly refrigerants have been developed that are quickly replacing their old counterparts.

Interestig Facts from the History of Air Conditioner

1930: The White House is air conditioned.

1953: More than 1 million units of room air conditioners are sold for the first time ever, making it an important milestone in the history of the air conditioner.

1990: Microprocessor control systems are installed to control all areas of air conditioning and refrigeration.

1994: Carrier and other air conditioning manufacturers develop environment-friendly coolants.

1995: Manufacturing of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) coolants ceases in the United States.

Next time you turn on your Alexandria air conditioning unit, remember all the discoveries that made it possible!

For all types of air conditioning services in Alexandria, feel free to get in touch with a Cyprus Air Heating and Cooling representative at (844) 713-2085 .