July 17 is National Air Conditioner Day, commemorating the invention of the modern air conditioner by an engineer named Willis Carrier in 1902.
Interestingly, Carrier didn’t set out to cool the inside of buildings. He was hired to design a system to lower humidity inside a large printing plant in Brooklyn, New York. Carrier’s invention utilized refrigerant circulating through a coil to “condition” the indoor space by extracting water vapor from the air. Since his process to condense humidity also removed heat, Carrier’s dehumidifying machine substantially cooled the building interior, as well.
Because indoor humidity reduction was its primary function, Carrier initially patented his device as an “air conditioner” instead of an “air cooler”. This designation stuck, even as the process was soon adapted to cool large public buildings like hospitals and movie theaters. Today, as National Air Conditioner Day celebrates Willis Carrier’s innovative spirit, 87% of American homes are kept comfortable in hot weather thanks to air conditioning.
While you’re enjoying cool comfort this July 17th, here are ways to celebrate the birth of the air conditioner.
Change your system air filter.
Willis would want you to. The air filter is an essential component to maintain critical A/C airflow. To support optimum cooling and efficiency, the air filter should be changed monthly during the cooling season unless you have other style filters that last longer.
Schedule professional service.
Air conditioning technology has become highly complex since Carrier’s patent. If you’ve been putting up with annoying A/C glitches or sub-standard cooling, celebrate National Air Conditioning Day by calling for certified professional service with a reputable HVAC contractor. Follow up with annual preventive maintenance checkups every year.
Turn it off.
Want to really appreciate Willis Carrier’s contribution to comfortable living? Shut off your A/C for an hour or two on this July afternoon and experience life before air conditioning. You’ll soon be more grateful than ever for the cooling technology we take for granted today—and celebrate when you turn it back on!
The HVAC professionals at Jackson & Sons wish you a very cool National Air Conditioner Day.
Jackson & Sons, Inc.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Eastern North Carolina (including Wayne, Johnston, Greene, Lenoir, Pitt and Duplin Counties) about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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