Central air conditioning has become standard in homes and commercial buildings in the US and other developed countries. But that wasn’t always the case. It wasn’t until the late 1960s that new homes were standardly equipped with central air in some areas.

 

As you sit in the cool comfort of your home or office on a hot summer day, consider how the modern central air conditioning system came about and be thankful for the innovative minds that brought the idea to life.

 

The First Cooling Machine 

The concept of artificial cooling began with Dr. John Gorrie, a physician and inventor living in Florida. Dr. Gorrie theorized that cooling hospital rooms could aid in faster recovery for patients and help control contagious diseases. His cooling concept began by having ice shipped in from frozen natural bodies of water in other parts of the country. In order to combat the expense, Dr. Gorrie came up with a device for creating ice with a horse powered compressor, which was patented in 1851. His invention never made it to market due to the death of his financial backer, but the concept of modern refrigeration and air conditioning was born.

 

An Apparatus for Treating Air – The Air Conditioner

The first air conditioner, or an “apparatus for treating air” as it was then called, was invented by Willis Carrier in 1902. There was a need to control humidity for a publishing company whose magazine pages were constantly curling up and causing trouble for printing. The concept of heating water to create humidity (steam) was already a well-known concept, but the reverse process of cooling water to dehumidify air had not been explored as a useful procedure.

His first patent was an automatic system for controlling humidity that was used in textile mills. He formed Carrier Engineering Corporation that is now Carrier Global. The company still manufactures air conditioners and other home appliances.

 

Commercial Cooling Emerges 

Air conditioning was first used in public buildings before it became a household appliance. In 1904 at the St. Louis World’s Fair, the Missouri State Building was cooled using mechanical refrigeration. Movie theaters were next in the 1920s during the silver screen era. The technology was still very rough, as temperatures varied greatly across the same room due to lack of efficiency and effective distribution of air. The details were fine tuned over the next few years as commercial cooling improved and engineers worked to bring air conditioning to the home.

 

Residential Air Conditioning Becomes Affordable 

The first window unit air conditioner was invented by H.H. Schultz and J.Q. Sherman and marketed in 1932, but due to the high cost they were not widely used. Henry Galson engineered a more affordable version that was widely used in homes by 1947.

 

From the window unit evolved central air conditioning that became more prevalent through the 1960s and 1970s. The central air conditioner consisted of a single system that could create enough cool air to disperse throughout the home by way of ducts.

 

Evolution of AC Technology and Refrigerant 

The key element of an air conditioner is a substance called refrigerant. Freon was the original refrigerant, but it was discovered to be hazardous to the environment. Other refrigerant options are in use in today’s air conditioners. Advancements in technology over the years have made central air conditioners more energy efficient and engineers consistently work to further reduce energy consumption for residential and commercial cooling.

 

Berico: Servicing Air Conditioners Since the Beginning

Since 1924 Berico has been providing home comfort services which now of course includes air conditioner repair and installation. Berico has one of the longest histories of the central air companies in the area, working in the industry. Services include HVAC repair and installation, fuel delivery, air purification systems, duct cleaning and more.

 

Call 336-273-8663 or request service today.

How often is HVAC repair necessary?

Heating and cooling experts recommend having your HVAC system serviced twice a year, once in the fall for your furnace and once in the spring for your air conditioner. You may have more success with scheduling if you aim for late summer and late winter when technicians are less busy.

 

Can you save money with HVAC replacement?

Replacing an old HVAC system with a new, energy efficient system can save you money in a variety of ways. Your energy bills will be lower, and you’ll spend less on repairs with a new system.

 

Do I need to replace my air conditioner if it uses R-22 refrigerant? 

Refrigerant is the substance inside of your air conditioner that absorbs heat and creates cool air. Older systems used R-22 refrigerant, but it has been phased out of production. If your system uses R-22 refrigerant it would be a good idea to replace it since all HVAC contractors are now working on a limited and very expensive supply.

 

How often should you replace your HVAC filters?

At the very least you should replace the filters in your intake vents every 6 months. For better results replace them every 3 months. Filters prevent dirt, dust, and debris from getting into your HVAC system and reducing its efficiency.

 

What does SEER mean?

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, which is the measurement of how efficient an air conditioner is. A SEER of 14-16 is considered high efficiency and anything above that is even more efficient.

 

How does a heat pump work?

You may have heard that a heat pump is an efficient type of HVAC system. It works by transferring heat from one place to another. When it is cold outside, a heat pump pulls heat from the air, bringing it inside to heat your home. When it is warm outside, a heat pump gathers the heat from inside your home and transfers it outside. It is still a forced air system with vents that distribute air throughout your home.

 

Is duct cleaning necessary?

Air travels from your HVAC system throughout your home through the ducts. Over time dust and debris can get into the ducts and mold can form. It is good to have your ductwork cleaned yearly to keep your HVAC system clean and improve the air quality in your home.

 

Does your HVAC system control the air quality in your home? 

A typical HVAC system with regular filters controls humidity and removes some particles from the air. But to make a noticeable improvement in your indoor air quality it helps to use high efficiency filters that are capable of removing more particles from the air. An air purification system is even more effective, killing pathogens and producing clean air.

 

What’s the ideal temperature to set your thermostat to? 

If your goal is to save energy, the ideal temperature for your thermostat is 68 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter and 78 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. Using fans and wearing warmer clothes can help these temperatures feel more comfortable.

 

What are the warning signs that my HVAC system needs to be replaced?

There are a few warning signs that indicate the need for HVAC replacement:

 

• Frequent repairs.
• Rising energy bills.
• Excessive noise.
• Tripping circuit breakers.
• Uneven temperatures throughout your home.

 

If you notice any of the above, your HVAC system may be on its last legs. Consider having it inspected to determine if replacement is necessary.

 

Still Have HVAC Questions? Ask Berico 

The experts at Berico can answer any questions you have regarding your HVAC system. Call 336-273-8663 today to ask a question or schedule service for your heating and air conditioning system.

 

Many homeowners know little about how their HVAC system works, including the furnace that keeps them warm during the winter. You don’t need to be an expert on this topic, but understanding the basics is helpful – and this FAQ will provide some good information for you to understand the basics about your furnace. When you are ready to schedule HVAC service or furnace repair in or around Greensboro, call Berico right away.

Q: Should I upgrade to a smart thermostat?
A: Running your furnace, and the rest of your HVAC equipment, off of a smart thermostat is not necessary, but it is a nice luxury. When you have the ability to control your system from your smartphone, you can make small adjustments even when you are away from the house – potentially cutting down on energy usage while improving comfort at the same time. Smart thermostats are relatively affordable and have a lot to offer, so this upgrade is well worth installing.

Q: What should I do if my furnace stops working?
A: Calling a reliable contractor like Berico should be your first step when the furnace goes out and will no longer heat your home. Getting started on repair work as soon as possible is your best bet to avoid a delayed outage. Of course, if it is going to be an extended period before your furnace can be fixed, it will be necessary to secure a warm place to stay until the furnace is back up and running. Having your furnace well maintained is one of the best ways to ensure that you never deal with a broken furnace on a cold winter night. Berico offers maintenance programs that include a regular check and service of your furnace.

Q: How big should my furnace be?
A: Picking the right size furnace when having a new one installed can be tricky for the average homeowner. You don’t want to spend more than necessary on the purchase, but you also don’t want an undersized unit that struggles to warm the house. Your best bet is to trust Berico to analyze your situation and recommend the right unit for your situation.

Q: How can I save money while running my furnace?
A: The obvious answer here is to ask the furnace to do less work day after day. The warmer you set the thermostat, the more energy the furnace will need to use to reach that target temperature. Beyond just living in a colder home, you can choose to selectively heat the space by closing vents in rooms that aren’t used. That will allow the busy parts of the house to stay warmer while not wasting energy heating up spaces where no one is spending time. But you don’t want to close off more than one or two rooms because your system is set-up for the current square footage of your home. If you close off too many vents you are essentially decreasing the square footage and throwing the system out-of-balance.

Q: How long will a new furnace last?
A: As you might imagine, there is no set period of time that you can expect to get from a new furnace. However, if you have a quality piece of equipment installed by a professional team like Berico – and that equipment is then serviced properly over the years – you should expect to get well in excess of 10 years of service from that furnace. If things go well, that number could be as high as 20 years or more, although you’ll want to monitor the performance of the furnace in those later years to make sure it is still performing up to your expectations.