When it comes to their air conditioning, Largo, FL and other Florida residents often have a lot of questions. The truth is that the AC systems are confusing. They come from a long line of innovative inventions, and they use a number of moving parts, systems, and pieces that all work together to cool your home.

Well, we’re here to clear up some of the confusion. We want to give you a little history lesson about the AC unit – how it came to be, what led to its development, and how it works today. With a bit of extra knowledge, you can have a little more insight into your home’s cooling system and the problems it may suffer from.

Don’t know much about your air conditioning? Catch up on the evolution of AC here:

  • 1758: The discovery of liquid evaporation – The first step toward air conditioning was taken in 1758 by Benjamin Franklin and John Hadley. The two conducted an experiment and ultimately discovered that certain liquids, once evaporated, can lower an object’s temperature – even to below freezing.
  • 1830: The first ice machine is made – In 1830, Dr. John Gorrie invented the new machine that could compress ice into a bucket. Then, using a blower within the machine, it could force air across the ice, thus cooling the air – and the room – around it.
  • 1899: A cooling system is invented – Engineer Alfred Wolf designed several cooling systems, not quite like the modern-day AC unit, that was used in public buildings like the New York Stock Exchange and the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.
  • 1902: The first AC unit is created – On July 17, 1902, a man named Willis H. Carrier invented the very first air conditioning unit. The system could control not only the temperature of the room it was positioned in but also the humidity.
  • 1904: AC is revealed to the public – The general public got its first glimpse of the modern AC system in 1904 at the St. Louis World’s Fair. AC was also installed in the Missouri State Building.
  • 1914: The first domestic AC unit is installed – It took a few more years before Carrier’s AC unit was adapted for home use. The first in-home system was installed in the mansion of Charles G. Gates in Minneapolis in 1914.
  • 1917: The first public AC units are installed – Fred Wittenmeier and Logan Lewis adapted the AC system for movie theatres, and then cinemas across the country installed the technology. Many began displaying it on their marquees as a draw for patrons.
  • 1931: The first window AC unit is created – In 1931, J.Q. Sherman and H.H. Shultz invented a window air conditioner for single-room use. This system is still in use today.
  • 1939: AC debuts in cars – The Packard Motor Company released its first air-conditioned car in 1939. It was an add-on option and came with no internal control mechanisms.
  • 1970: Central air is born – Decades later, central air cooling systems were created. These used a condenser, a fan, and coils and required Freon as a coolant. These were installed in homes across the nation.
  • 1994: Freon gets banned – In 1994, the Environmental Protection Agency deemed Freon harmful to public health, and it was banned from further use. From then on, central AC systems were required to use other refrigerants moving forward. This still stands true today.

Want to know more about your air conditioning, Largo, FL homeowners? Or are you having an issue with your unit? Just call Air Zero. Our expert technicians can walk you through your entire system, help you understand how it works, point out any problems, and recommend an affordable fix. Call Air Zero now to schedule your appointment.