Last updated on February 24th, 2024 at 06:42 am
When the weather gets hot, most of us reach for the air conditioner. They keep our home cool and keep us comfortable all summer long. Most homes have at least some kind of air conditioner present, and many people would feel lost without them.
However, there is likely a lot that you simply don’t know about air conditioners, how they work, and their past history.
Without any further ado, here are some interesting, fun, and important things that you likely didn’t know about air conditioners.
Maintenance is Crucial to a Long Lifespan
Most of our interactions with our air conditioners are little more than us pressing a button on a thermostat or moving a dial. We don’t think much about the system, and it generally works its magic in the background.
However, if you want your air conditioner to stay in great condition for as long as possible, you need to take maintenance seriously. You should have your AC unit inspected and maintained annually by a professional company or individual. Take time to find the right company that is suited for the job.
For example, a company like Morris Jenkins offers not only installation of units but also does great work when it comes to inspecting them. In between inspections, keep an ear out for various air conditioner noises or other signs that your air conditioner is struggling.
They Can Get Incredibly Large
Most air conditioning units today can be rather small. Some fit in windows, and plenty of others are portable and can be moved from room to room. Even many outdoor units today don’t take up a ton of space.
However, this doesn’t mean that they are all small. Some air conditioning units can actually be incredibly massive. In fact, the largest HVAC system on the planet is at the Holy Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. This area sees over a million visitors every month and requires 135,000 tons of refrigeration capacity to keep it cool and comfortable.
There are Many Different Kinds of Air Conditioners
While most homes and families have a traditional central air conditioning system, that is not the only air conditioner out there. There are many types of air conditioners from ductless options, to window units, to portable units, and everything in between. Each comes with their own pros and cons, and costs and efficiency can vary wildly from one type to another.
Movie Theaters Had AC Before Homes
Air conditioning is now standard in most homes, but it wasn’t actually the residential market that first dipped their toes into air conditioning. Movie theaters were among the first locations to have it, as it was simply too expensive for homes back in the early 1900s.
The fact that theaters had AC before homes did is partly behind the idea of the summer blockbuster. Many huge movies came out in the summer to take advantage of the fact that people were more likely to go to movies at this time to escape the summer heat.
Air Conditioning Hasn’t Been Affordable and Widespread for Very Long
Most of us have gotten used to air conditioning and using it regularly. However, it really hasn’t been affordable and available for most people for very long. For the first few decades of its commercial existence, air conditioning was largely for the rich.
However, by the time the 1960s rolled around, air conditioning was much more widespread and affordable for more families. That means that air conditioning has only been common in homes for a little over half a century.
Before that, there were several other ways for people to attempt to keep their homes cool, from using ice to having fans and opening windows to let a breeze in.
Final Thought:
In conclusion, air conditioners are a vital part of our lives. They keep us cool and comfortable in the summer and help to improve our health and wellbeing. There are many things you may not know about air conditioners, so make sure you take advantage of the knowledge we have shared in this article.