At JW Pierson Co., we’ve been honored to safeguard the home comfort of northern New Jersey customers for over 100 years. When we started doing business in the Garden State, home heating and cooling equipment was considerably different than it is today.
That said, you might be surprised to learn that home air conditioning technology has existed for way longer than our company has been in business. In this article, we’ll take you through how central A/C was invented and how it’s improved quite a bit in recent decades.
Cooling systems existed in some form long before electricity was harnessed. Ancient Persians developed an ingenious system using wind-catching towers called bâdgirs, which could capture cool breezes high above the ground and channel them into homes. Bâdgirs provided natural air conditioning and can still be seen on buildings in Iran today.
By the 19th century, innovators began pursuing mechanized cooling systems. One notable figure was John Gorrie, a physician from Florida. He designed hospital cooling systems that relied on ice transported from northern states and compressors powered by water, horses, sails and steam.
The term “air conditioning” itself was coined in 1906 by Stuart Cramer, a textile mill owner from North Carolina. Cramer held over 60 patents and was a pioneer in ventilation and humidity-control inventions. His work was instrumental in shaping the way we think about modern cooling systems.
The early 20th century saw major advancements in indoor cooling technology. In Brooklyn, the Sackett-Wilhelms Lithographic and Publishing Company faced summer heat and humidity that disrupted its printing processes. Engineer Willis Carrier designed a system using coils with cold water and a fan to lower both moisture and temperature.
By 1922, Carrier improved his design with the Centrifugal Refrigeration Compressor, making cooling systems smaller and safer. Movie theaters quickly adopted these systems, offering Americans both entertainment and relief from summer heat.
In 1929, Frigidaire introduced a smaller air conditioning unit for homes, though its high cost limited it to wealthy families. Over time, General Electric reduced the size and cost of units while General Motors developed safer chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) coolants. Although these advancements made air conditioning more accessible, CFCs were later discontinued due to environmental harm.
Today’s home cooling equipment is more efficient, eco-friendly and high-performing than ever before. The refrigerants in use now are much better for our planet, and central A/C systems can achieve new levels of energy efficiency that save you money and shrink your carbon footprint!
If your central A/C equipment is over 10 years old, you are missing out on some efficient technologies that will lower your summer cooling costs while maintaining a high level of home comfort. Reach out to JW Pierson Co. today, and we’ll be happy to take you through your central A/C upgrade options. We can even help you qualify for any available rebates and low-cost financing.
Don’t settle for subpar A/C this summer. Contact JW Pierson for a FREE estimate. We serve homes in Maplewood and throughout Essex, Passaic and Bergen Counties.