The History of Air Conditioning

Air conditioning can technically refer to any process that changes the condition of the air. However, in modern use, it usually means cooling and dehumidifying hot air to make indoor living more comfortable. While air conditioners are a new development, the concept of cooling air to make it more comfortable is an old one. As long ago as ancient Rome, clever people learned to circulate water from the aqueducts through the walls of a house to keep it cool. In medieval Persia, people used wind towers and cisterns in a similar way to keep buildings cool when it was hot.

Modern air conditioning techniques, which are a form of air refrigeration, didn't come about until chemical refrigerants were discovered. Using these refrigerants, ice making machines were invented in the 19th century. However, the idea of using that technology didn't take hold for a while. The first big, electrical air conditioning was actually invented in 1902. This machines was designed to help control the manufacturing process in a printer's plant, allowing consistent paper sizes and alignment of the ink to be obtained. It also had the pleasant side effect of keeping workers cool, and increasing productivity. The word "air conditioning" was coined in 1906.

Early refrigerators and air conditioners used different refrigerants than the ones we have today. Methyl chloride, propane, and ammonia were all put into use, but they had a serious downside. They are all flammable, and could cause fatal accidents if a leak occurred. The use of Freon, the first CFC, started in 1928. In daily use, Freon was a lot safer. However, we now know that CFCs of all sorts are also responsible for the growing hole in the ozone layer, exposing us to harmful rays from the sun over a longer period of time. The worst types of Freon (a blanket name dor all CFCs or HCFCs produced by DuPont) have been phased out, but many cars still use less damaging types. However, several other alternatives that don't deplete the ozone layer have also been developed.

In general, air conditioning technology keeps improving. However, the focus now is on environmental impacts, both globally and locally. Indoor air quality coming from air conditioners continues to improve, helping people who have allergies and sensitivities, and generally making the air healthier for us. Improvements in energy efficiency mean that newer air conditioners will use less power than older ones, saving fuel and reducing pollution. Since one kWh in five is used for providing air conditioning in the United States, this is an important area for improvements.

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