Some Fun Facts on Central Air Conditioning You May Not Be Aware Of
Who put together the machine that is responsible for a cool home in the height of summer? And on an afternoon in South Carolina when the heat is on, how much of a difference does your indoor air make? One has to consider how much air conditioning has evolved.
We at Dipple Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, Electrical are familiar with air conditioning systems in our daily work and are happy to put some of our knowledge out there. We have been of service to Upstate South Carolina since 1979; should you have any queries regarding your cooling system, we can be reached at (864) 319-3682.
For the most part central air is taken for granted. You put in a switch and the house is comfortable enough. Yet there is an interesting tale to tell about where that cold air comes from and a few facts that may come as a surprise.
Not Invented for Your Comfort
To begin with, the first modern air conditioner was not intended to put people at ease. Willis Carrier, an engineer of 1902, came up with it to manage the humidity in a printing plant where ink would smudge and paper wrinkle. Any comfort afforded to the workers was incidental. When business saw how well received cool air was, the concept caught on.
Movie Theaters Put AC on the Map
In days before you could have air conditioning in the home, a movie theater was among the first public venues to have one. In the dog days of summer one would go to the theater to get away from the heat. In fact, “summer blockbuster” is a term born of this: studios would put out their major films in the summer to fill the theaters with those in search of a cool place to be.
More to Central Air Than Meets the Eye
You might assume the system is only for making things cold. A good one will do more, like filter dust and put some movement in the air. It will also take care of the following without fanfare:
- Make the room a more agreeable temperature
- Extract moisture from the air
- Put a stop to dust and pollen
- See to the quality of the air in your home
- Circulate so there are no stuffy rooms
- Ward off humidity damage to wood floors and furniture
Homeowners do not often think of the last item but excessive moisture will in time warp wood and promote mold.
A Clever Way to Handle Refrigerant
The unit is not conjuring up cold air. What it does is transfer the heat from inside to out. Refrigerant will take in the heat, be carried outside to be let go and then return to start the process over. That is what makes the exterior of the unit warm while it is in operation.
Early Home Units Were Prohibitive
If you had a home air conditioner in the 1930s you were very wealthy indeed. They were large and expensive. Over the years technology has made central air something you will find in homes throughout the country and in Upstate South Carolina.
There is Value in Maintenance
This is a matter of saving money. Let an air conditioning system go and it will not run as well or have the longevity of one that is looked after. Low refrigerant or clogged vents mean the system has to exert itself. Too many homeowners put off thinking about it until a breakdown occurs. Regularly changing a filter and having the occasional checkup will see the system in good order for years.
Leave It to the Experts
Knowing a few facts is fine, but we are here to ensure your system is in proper shape. Dipple is a licensed and insured company with an A plus BBB Accreditation and 4.9 stars from some 3,000 Google reviews. We put a 100% satisfaction guarantee on everything we do.
Comfort issues do not abide by business hours so we are on hand 24/7. For a repair or a tune up, or if you want to ask us how it all works, call (864) 319-3682. We will be glad to put in an appearance and keep you comfortable through the year.
