HVAC Facts That Will Blow You Away

Most of us are familiar with HVAC systems that keep us comfortable by regulating the temperature in a home or business. They probably aren’t the most interesting topic to think about, as long as yours is working properly!

Perhaps we can make the subject a little more exciting with these 20 fascinating facts about heaters and air conditioners. Maybe you’ll even learn something!

1. From Hypocaust to AC: The first air conditioner was invented by Willis Carrier in 1902. He designed the system to control humidity and aid the drying of ink in a printing plant. Charles Gilbert Gates built the first residential air conditioner in 1913 in a Minneapolis mansion. The oldest known heating system, The Hypocaust, was in ancient Rome in 350 BC.
2. From Firsts to Masses: In the late 1920s, the Milam Building in San Antonio, TX, became the first fully air-conditioned office building. In 1965, only 10% of homes in the United States had air conditioning. Today, that number has risen to 93%.
3. Trailblazer’s Innovation: Alice H. Parker, an African-American inventor, filed a patent for a central heating system in 1919, allowing for heat control in different parts of a building. This invention led to the forced air furnace and thermostat used in homes today.
4. Sweating Out Summer: During the 1900s, most schools and government buildings did not have air conditioning, so they closed for the summer due to the heat.
5. Thrills and Chills: Movie theaters were among the first businesses to have air conditioning in the 1930s. The summer blockbuster came along and introduced people to the comfort of AC.
6. Rethinking Home Design: Before the widespread adoption of air conditioning in the 1930s, homes were designed to provide shade and cross-ventilation to keep occupants cool. Air conditioning units allowed architects to create homes with smaller windows, lower ceilings, and fewer porches. Homeowners could now stay indoors comfortably, regardless of the outdoor temperature. As a result, houses began to change, and architectural styles evolved to reflect this shift.
7. Cooling Conundrum: According to scientific studies, our reliance on air conditioning has reduced our ability to handle extreme heat. Our bodies have adapted to the constant cool temperatures, making it more challenging to acclimate to hot weather.
8. Keep Your Wallet Happy: Changing your air filter every month is one of the easiest and best things you can do for your air conditioner. Dirt can clog the filter, trap harmful contaminants, and reduce performance and efficiency, leading to increased energy bills and possible repairs.
9. Breath of Fresh Air: A well-ventilated HVAC system can keep allergens, mold, and bacteria out of your home, leading to a healthier indoor environment.
10. Energy Thief: Consistently heating your home can lead to energy loss through hidden cracks. Running your heater unnecessarily, even at the lowest setting, wastes energy. Turning off the unit when not at home or installing a programmable thermostat can help save energy.
11. Go Green and Save Big: Adding insulation and caulking around doors and windows can make your home up to 30% more energy-efficient.
12. Venting Frustration: Shutting a vent only reduces the airflow to the room it serves. The same amount of air still circulates in the system, putting pressure on ductwork and HVAC components. This can lead to more damage and repair bills than energy savings.
13. Hot and Bothered: The average American household spends $2,000 annually on energy bills, half of which goes toward heating and cooling their homes.
14. Leave Your Tools in Box: Blown fuses, capacitors, tripped breakers, and damaged electrical wiring and connections are common causes of AC breakdowns. Tampering with the system can result in fire, shock, or electrocution. It’s essential to contact a professional to address the situation.
15. Cooling the Cure: Air conditioning plays a critical role in the pharmaceutical industry. Some medications require a cool environment for production and storage. Without air conditioning, many of these medications might never have been created.
16. AC Saves Lives: Research shows that suicide rates increase with heat waves. People without access to cooling are also more likely to die. In 1995, more than 730 people died during a Chicago heat wave because they did not have air conditioning.
17. Productivity Sweet Spot: Research shows that employees work better when the temperature is around 21.7 degrees Celsius (71 degrees Fahrenheit). Employers should find a temperature that allows their employees to focus on their work without being distracted by the temperature.
18. Chilling Truth: The United States consumes as much energy cooling homes and businesses as the entire continent of Africa uses for all its power needs, underlining the importance of energy-efficient HVAC systems.
19. Our Carbon Footprint: Contrary to popular belief, cooling has a much smaller carbon footprint than heating. The average American household uses 40.4 million BTUs for heating and only 9.3 million BTUs for cooling annually.
20. AC Overload: The demand for air conditioning is expected to triple over the next 30 years. Analysts predict that 5.6 billion buildings will have air conditioning by 2050. To meet this demand, consumers must purchase ten new air conditioners every second for 30 years, equating to 600 air conditioners every minute and 3,600 air conditioners every hour.

Your air conditioner is pretty cool machine – pun intended. Knowing a few interesting facts about your AC system can help you appreciate it even more when you switch it on.

And speaking of AC systems, if you live in the North Fort Worth area and need professional installation, repair, or maintenance services, look no further than Empire Heating & Air. Call us at (682) 233-3367 and let us help you keep you cool.