APR Supply Co. Editorials- Vol. 4 -Transformative Inventions that Shaped the HVAC and Plumbing Industry

How today’s comfort has been impacted by remarkable advancements in past years

By- Justin Snyder

While the United States does not officially celebrate any holidays during the month of August, some of our country’s greatest accomplishments regarding inventions that have shaped our world have occurred then.

From the calculator in 1888, the Ford trademark in 1909, and the television in 1930, August is littered with technological advancements that we as humans still benefit from today.

It’s because of innovative ideas like these that Americans can live easier and simpler lives. The HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) and plumbing industries are not immune in that they have experienced remarkable advancements over the years, thanks to innovative inventions that have revolutionized these fields. These inventions have not only improved efficiency, comfort, and safety, but have also contributed to sustainability and environmental conservation.

In this editorial, we will explore some of the most important inventions that have had a significant impact on the HVAC and plumbing industry.

Air Conditioning:

One of the most influential inventions in the HVAC industry is undoubtedly air conditioning. In 1902, Willis Carrier developed the first modern air conditioning system, which revolutionized the way we cool and dehumidify indoor spaces. Air conditioning systems have since become an integral part of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, enhancing comfort levels, and enabling people to live and work in diverse climates.

According to the Department of Energy, 75% of all United States homes utilize air conditioning, while nearly 20% of all electricity used in buildings worldwide comes from that of air conditioning. With an added push for regular maintenance by consumers to prevent indoor air pollution or potentially expensive installations and repairs, the air conditioner is arguably the most lucrative and important piece of equipment and invention within our field.

Programmable Thermostats:

While the earliest recorded examples of thermostatic control can be dated back to 1620 in England, the modern thermostat was developed in the 1830’s by Andrew Ure, a Scottish chemist. Textile mills of the time needed a constant and steady temperature to operate freely, so Ure designed the bimetallic thermostat.

50 years later Warren Johnson invented the electric thermostat as he no longer could stand the fluctuating temperatures inside of the classrooms in which he taught in.

Shortly after, Albert Butz patented the first temperature regulator for ovens and a pioneering system called the dapper flapper.

It was this invention and patent that was purchased by Mark Honeywell in 1906 and would lead to the first programmable thermostat, which incorporated a clock to allow for a pre-setting of temperature for mornings.

Dial thermostats appeared in the 1950’s and the 1980’s brought about the first thermostats with digital displays, electronic circuits, and many of the functions we still see today. As we continue to progress with technology, our current generation utilizes smart thermostats.

As we talked about in our last APR Supply Co. Editorial – Vol. 3: The Evolution of the Smartphone, these groundbreaking technologies not only are making for a substantial change for your customer’s wallets and the environment but are making it easier as contractors to find information and assist in a time of need.

High-Efficiency Furnaces:

Finding warmth during winter’s chilly temperatures has long been an issue across the country. Many Americans’ initially utilized heat from wood burning fireplaces, however it became apparent very early that if you were more than a few feet from the stove you still suffered from the cold.

In 1885 Dave Lennox helped to advance home heating with the help of low-cost burning cast iron radiators. These devices were often located in basements to provide homeowners a better opportunity of warming the multiples rooms throughout their homes.

Robert Bunsen expanded on this technology with his Bunsen Burner. This open flame solution was the first to produce heat without soot, as it blended gas with air and fueled the way for the development of gas, propane, and oil-fired heating systems.

Thomas Edison’s work with electricity brought electricity to the table. In 1905, Albert Marsh discovered the metal Chromel, which allowed him to construct a heating element 300 times stronger than any other on the market and led to him being dubbed the father of electrical heating. In terms of electrical heating technology, most of today’s units still rely very much on this advancement.

However, today’s furnaces have progressed even further and utilize natural gas, electricity and even heat pump and geothermal technologies. These units allow for fine tuning of temperatures, ease-of-use and convenience thanks to the thermostat technology mentioned above.

The introduction of high-efficiency furnaces has also greatly improved the heating capabilities of residential and commercial buildings while reducing energy consumption.

They incorporate advanced heat exchangers and electronic ignition systems, resulting in increased energy efficiency and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The development of condensing furnaces, which recover and utilize waste heat, has further enhanced efficiency and reduced environmental impact.

Tankless Water Heaters:

Traditional water heaters with storage tanks consume a significant amount of energy to keep a large volume of water heated continuously. However, the advent of tankless water heaters has revolutionized the plumbing industry.

As a matter of fact, in most cases today, we find ourselves recommending tankless water heaters over your standard storage tank water heaters as they offer many excellent advantages.

The first commercially available storage tank water heater was invented in 1889. While it was an energy-efficient solution due to its thick copper design, it was also quite expensive. The first electric tankless water heater followed closely in 1929, which made for high availability. However, it still lacked efficiency to gas-powered units and was unpopular as a result.

Not until the 1970’s did the technology of tankless water heaters catch on as viable option compared to standard water heaters. The idea of space-saving and energy- efficient units took Europe by storm at this time. It was another 20 years until these tankless units would make an impact within the United States and now, they serve as the most popular solution for Americans with their small size, energy efficiency and money saving abilities at the forefront.

These compact units heat water on-demand, eliminating the need for a storage tank and reducing energy wastage. Tankless water heaters not only provide hot water efficiently but also occupy less space, making them ideal for small homes and apartments.

Low-Flow Fixtures:

Water conservation is a critical aspect of plumbing systems, and low-flow fixtures have played a pivotal role in this regard. Low-flow toilets, faucets, and showerheads are designed to limit water flow while maintaining functionality. These fixtures help reduce water consumption significantly without compromising user experience, thus conserving water resources, and reducing utility costs.

It wasn’t until the 1980s that water-efficient low-flow fixtures such as toilets, faucets and showerheads first came available to consumers in the United States. By 1992, 17 states and the District of Columbia had adopted water efficiency standards.

The United States Energy Policy Act of 1992 ensured the low-flow fixture was here to stay long-term as it mandated the first maximum water efficiencies for major fixtures in residential and commercial applications.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the increase of these low-flow units in response to the Energy Policy Act of 1992 can be attributed to the saving of more than 7 billion gallons of water a day. To put that into perspective, that’s enough water to satiate the water needs of seven cities the size of New York City.

Smart HVAC and Plumbing Systems:

The emergence of smart technologies has transformed the HVAC and plumbing industries. Smart thermostats, for instance, can learn users' preferences and adjust temperature settings, accordingly, optimizing energy usage. Moreover, intelligent leak detection systems can identify potential plumbing leaks and automatically shut off water supply, preventing water damage and minimizing waste. These innovations not only enhance convenience and comfort but also promote sustainability and cost- effectiveness.

Aside from the benefits above, smart technology also can notify customers and contractors when it’s time for maintenance or replacing of a filter.

Between wi-fi connectivity, mobile app controls, geofencing, voice activation, integration with smart at-home systems and zoning and sophisticated programming, these smart systems not only give you as contractors quicker access to the systems you are working on, but they provide consumers full control over their systems no matter where they are in the world.

“When I first started, there really wasn’t a real good way to get information when it came to jobs in the field,” said Mark Elmer, APR Supply Co. TSA and Training Manager. “Cell phones and smart technology provide us the ability to access info now right at our fingertips and it’s made our jobs easier drastically.”

The HVAC and plumbing industries have come a long way over the years, and the journey has been marked by transformative inventions that continue to shape these sectors. From the invention of air conditioning to the development of smart systems, these innovations have improved efficiency, comfort, and environmental sustainability.

As technology continues to advance, we can expect further breakthroughs that will drive the HVAC and plumbing industries toward even greater energy efficiency, resource conservation, and user convenience.

To check out the modern-day versions of those inventions that we offer at APR Supply Co., visit our website www.aprsupply.com.