At Haley Mechanical, we provide outstanding A/C service to southeast Michigan homeowners, whether you are in need of a new air conditioning system or service/maintenance on your existing system. We know how quickly things change in terms of technological advances in cooling and heating. However, as a homeowner, you may not be so savvy when it comes to the history of heating/cooling your home. Ready for a little trivia about A/C’s past and present? Here we go!
1. True or False: Prior to the invention of air conditioning, industrial workers took a month off in August.
True! August is when temperatures are at their hottest; workers were sluggish, production slowing or even coming to a complete halt. For the same reason, government agencies shut down for a portion of the summer.
2. Who is the inventor of air conditioning, and why was A/C invented?
A Brooklyn publishing company employee, Willis Carrier, invented air conditioning. He invented it for the company because high temperatures and humidity would cause the paper the company printed on to expand or contract. Air conditioning kept temperatures and humidity lower.
3. True or False: Nearly every aspect of the industry has been revolutionized due to the development of effective refrigeration and temperature control.
True. Think of the world we live in today. The manufacturing of pharmaceutical products, food production, delivery, and storage, even the manufacturing of chipsets, computers, and chemicals would not be possible without air conditioning.
4. True or False. Education across the nation has been affected by air conditioning.
False. Summer vacation was not actually invented to give school kids a break – it was because of hot temperatures and the fact that not only was the heat intolerable, some were concerned about the spread of disease. Schools in the U.S still let out for summer vacation, even though air conditioning would make it possible for a school to continue year-round.
5. What role has air conditioning played in extending human life expectancy and the advancement in medicine?
Air conditioning helps inhibit the growth of bacteria, advance development in surgery, and has resulted in fewer infant deaths and the defeat of diseases such as malaria.
6. Advancements in air conditioning have changed architecture, but how?
Older homes had high ceilings, breezeways, shrubs that were placed strategically, even porches designed for sleeping – all of this in an effort to make the home more comfortable. Because today’s structures are often designed of glass, have lower ceilings and other design features that do not take into account heat and ventilation, having air conditioning is almost a must for modern homeowners and businesses.
7. True or False: Air conditioning makes us more intolerant of heat.
True. Living in cool, air-conditioned homes and working in air-conditioned environments makes it harder to tolerate heat. Scientific evidence supports the fact that too much time spent under the A/C erodes our natural tolerance to hotter temperatures.
8. What percentage of U.S. homes were equipped with central air conditioning systems in 2009?
In 2009, 87% of homes in the U.S. were equipped with air conditioning, according to an American Housing Survey and the U.S. Census Bureau. Of this 87%, 65% had central air conditioning, while 22% of homes had window or room units.
9. Since 1960, what one factor assisted in 60% of the total U.S. economic growth?
Air conditioning! Over the past 54 years, 60% of the total economic growth has occurred in Texas, Florida, Arizona, and other southern states where temperatures are hot in summer months. Over the years, air conditioning has made factory work and apartment living possible in the South – and demographers contend that Las Vegas, Arizona, and other southern locales have experienced population explosions as a direct result of air conditioning.
10. Who do you call when you need air conditioner installation or repair?
Haley Mechanical, or course! Family owned and operated for more than 15 years, we are dedicated to quality products, outstanding service, and making life for southeast Michigan residents as comfortable as possible. Contact us today!
