Main Characteristics and History Air Conditioning Creating - Coursework Example

Air Conditioning Like all other species, humans desire an environment that is comfortable. However, the natural environment sometimes presents extreme or dangerous conditions that humans cannot survive in comfortably. For example, during extremely cold weather, humans experience a lot of discomfort and may get ill just as extremely hot and dry weather conditions. Appreciating the situation, humans have over time developed machines to control their immediate environments. One such machine or device is the air conditioner. As summer looms, accompanied by high temperatures and unendurable steaminess thousands of people may turn on possibly one of the biggest inventions and developments of all time, which is the air conditioners (Varrasi, 2011). The air conditioner is basically a machine that is used to control the temperature and humidity level of a space. The air conditioner generally serves to distribute conditioned air in places that are occupied, especially by humans, thereby making it more comfortable for habitation. Although there are risks in using air conditioners, the benefits definitely outweigh the risks. This paper will discuss the air conditioner. First, the paper will discuss the history of air conditioning. Secondly, the benefits and the advantages of air conditioning will be discussed. This will be followed by the risks and disadvantages of air conditioners. The paper will close with a summary and conclusion. History of Air Conditioning Throughout human history, several attempts have been made to avoid the discomfort that comes with a lot of heat. To this effect, humans have made several attempts to keep cool during hot summer months. Humans took refuge in shades and found comfort in the protection that they offered against the sun and hot grounds during prehistoric times, much as they do the same today as noted by Kreider (2008). With time humans started relying on architectural designs to achieve the same goal. To-date many buildings and constructions are simply designed to take advantage of natural ventilation. While this is the case, the fundamental idea behind air conditioning found application in ancient Egypt as noted by Kreider (2008). In ancient Egypt, people commonly hung reeds moistened with trickling water in windows. The water that evaporated from the reeds cooled the air that blew through the window into the house. As this happened, the air also got more humid. Ancient Romans on their part circulated water drawn from aqueducts through building walls to keep the buildings cool. While this was the case in ancient Rome, the people of medieval Persia applied different techniques to achieve the same goal (Kreider, 2008). They used wind towers and cisterns to cool their buildings during hot seasons. The last 100 years have seen humans develop equipment and machines that help them keep cool while taking advantage of the surrounding. In the 1830s, Dr. John Gorrie of Apalachicola, designed a piece of equipment that was used to cool hospital rooms (Ra- Jac 2014). The equipment worked such that a fan blew air across a container that was packed with ice. A similar device was constructed in 1881 by a group of officers working with the U.S. Navy (Ra- Jac 2014). The device worked such that it blew air through cloth that had been wetted with melted ice. The devise was constructed in an effort to save the life of then president, James Garfield. In the late 1800s, “manufactured air” was used in industries such as textile mills so as to control humidity with the effect being higher production. The year 1902 saw a mechanical engineer by the name Willis Carrier design a system that controlled the temperature and humidity of a place through the use of sprays (Varrasi, 2011). The device worked such that chilled cooling coils helped to lower the temperature and humidity by up to 55% as noted by Ra- Jac (2014). Furthermore, the device had the capacity to adjust the level of humidity in a room to the desired level. It is the design of this design that has earned Carrier the title “father of air conditioning”. In the year 1922, Willis developed the “centrifugal chiller” - a device that was much safer than its predecessor since it used a less toxic coolant (Oremus, 2013). The chiller was also much smaller in size which means that it could be used in department stores, houses, offices, and cars as noted by Oremus (2013). With the developments in technology, humans have managed to make more efficient air conditioners that can be applied in virtually any setting. Today, humans have the capacity to manufacture weather artificially so as to help then remain comfortable. While ancient air conditioners were large, expensive, and dangerous, today’s air conditioners are much smaller in size, relatively cheap and quite safe in use. Air conditioners findf use in different spaces in the modern world. They are used in trains, houses, offices, industries airplanes, and even trains. Advantages of Air Conditioners There are several benefits and advantages of using air conditioners. For one, it improves comfort levels during work and relaxation. Studies show that when humans work under comfortable environmental conditions, their levels of efficiency greatly improve (Hellomagazine 2010). On the other hand, when they are uncomfortable (such as when subjected to a lot of heat) their efficiency decreases. This is because the uncomfortable conditions that they experience due to high temperatures irritate the mind leading to low concentration. Air conditioners also increase job performance while reducing the threats of dehydration according to Hellomagazine (2010). Air conditioners help circulate air inside enclosed spaces such as offices and houses. Given that the air that is distributed by air conditioners is free of dust, particles, smoke, and micro-organisms they are safer than non-conditioned air. This translates to better health for those who use them (2010). Another advantage of using air conditioners is that the windows and doors of air conditioned rooms remain closed and therefore allow little or no noise (Hellomagazine 2010). This means that in rooms where air conditioners are used, there is a lot of quietness which is quite soothing for those who want to sleep or concentrate on such activities as studying. One other advantage of air conditioners is that they allow fresh air into the room without necessarily having to open doors and windows. This may translate to additional security and less distraction by nuisance insects (P.C.T. Air Conditioning, 2008). Disadvantages of Air Conditioners Although there are various advantages and benefits of air conditioning, there are also risks and disadvantages associated with using the device. For many people, the air conditioner is an expensive device. It costs a lot of money and uses power such as electricity to run. What this means is that its operational costs may be high in the long run. For one, it has a drying effect on the skin. Secondly, the airborne dust that comes from the AC may cause allergic reactions. Furthermore, the rapid changes in temperature disturb the respiratory system as noted by Hellomagazine (2010). Experts note that when a person uses the air conditioner frequently, they may suffer from the air conditioning disease as noted by Prlog (2010). The symptoms of this disease are weakness, tiredness, fever, and cough. Yet again, when rapid changes in the room’s conditions occur, the body may experience poor blood flow and joint pains. In addition, when people stay in air conditioned spaces, they may feel cold or hot when they go to the outside environment. In other words, they may suffer body conditioning system disorders whose symptoms include headaches and colds (Prlog, 2010). Conclusion Humans have always sort to live comfortably despite the harsh conditions that the natural environment may present. One of the devices that humans rely on to improve their environment is the air conditioner. The air conditioner basically adjusts the temperature and humidity of the space they are applied in to levels that are desirable. The first air conditioner was invented in 1902 by Willis Carrier. Ever since the development of the first modern air conditioners, the devices have been improved greatly. Several companies make air conditioners that perform more tasks on top of their basic functions. Today, they cost less, are relatively safer, and are smaller in size. In addition, the air conditioners that ate manufactured today are far more efficient than their counterparts that were manufactured in the early 1900s. Air conditioning has many benefits and advantages but also risks and advantages on our health. Some of the advantages and benefits of the air conditioner are that it increases the comfort of its users; increase job performance, and reduces the threat of dehydration. On the other hand, the AC has a number of disadvantages and limitations. Apart from being expensive, the devices may have a drying effect on the skin; cause allergic reactions; and cause the air conditioning disease. Apart from benefitting users in various ways, the conditioners are a source of income for their manufacturers and energy providers, indirectly. Without any doubt air conditioning forms a vast and important part in our life due to the effects that it has. Reference List Hellomagazine (2010) Air Conditioning: too cool to be good for you? [Online], Available: http://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/health-and-fitness/201007053811/air-conditioning/health/risks/ [Accessed 10 May, 2014] Kreider, J. (2008), Handbook of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. New York, CRC Press. Oremus, W. (2013), A History Of Air Conditioning 15 July, [Online], Available: http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2011/07/a_history_of_air_conditioning.html [Accessed 10 May, 2014] P.C.T. Air Conditioning (2008) Air Conditioning. [Online], Available: http://pctairconditioning.com/benefits-of-air-con [Accessed 10 May, 2014] Prlog (2010) Disadvantages of air conditioner [Online], Available: http://www.prlog.org/10776697-disadvantages-of-air-conditioner.html [Accessed 10 May, 2014] Ra- Jac (2014) The History of Air Conditioning [Online], Available: http://www.air-conditioners-and-heaters.com/air_conditioning_history.html [Accessed 10 May, 2014] Varrasi, J. (2011), Global Cooling: The History of Air Conditioning [Online], Available: https://www.asme.org/engineering-topics/articles/technology-and-society/global-cooling-the-history-of-air-conditioning [Accessed 10 May, 2014] Read More