Here in the US, we often take our air conditioning for granted. But, much of the equipment we use has its roots in ancient history. The first advances in the HVAC systems were only made in the early 20th century. This is when the US took control of heating and cooling its homes. We now use as much energy to heat and cool our homes as the continent of Africa in total each year.
How Heating has Evolved
When we repair the HVAC systems, our technicians understand the vital role they play in all our lives. The Romans were the first to invent the furnace. Benjamin Franklin developed the forerunner to the modern heating system. But the heating system, as we know, came to fruition in the 19th-century. Natural gas is still an essential part of the heating sector even though it was a source of light and not for heat.
Heating systems were separate from cooling systems in the early days. This was before Alice Park created the first integrated central heating system. The history of women in HVAC development is long. This includes Margaret Wilcox, the engineer who created the first automobile heating system. There are many reasons we are happy when our clients have well-maintained systems. This includes the fact that freezing temperatures can lead to frozen pipes in three days.
The Development of the Air Conditioning System
The Ancient Egyptians invented the theory behind the first air conditioning systems. They used reeds soaked in water. But Charles Gilbert Gates created the first full air conditioning system. The engineer from Minneapolis had a big impact on life in the US. He even changed the way buildings were often designed and built.