Learn More About the History Behind Central Heating This Valentine's Day Season
Valentine's Day fills people with feelings of love and warmth. However, homeowners' HVAC systems provide feelings of warmth all year round. Before central heating systems, people relied on furnaces, stoves, and even open fires to stay toasty. With the arrival of modern-day HVAC systems, people experienced levels of convenience and efficiency at an unprecedented level.
The best way to truly appreciate one's HVAC system is to learn all about it. Its inner workings and the history of how this revolutionary invention has changed the way homeowners find comfort. Here are some fun facts about HVAC systems and how they have made houses into homes.
The Romans Pioneered the First Type of Central Heating
The Romans invented a kind of central heating that people might not recognize today. They constructed hollow spaces underneath the floors in their homes and filled those spaces with slow-burning fires. These heating systems, known as hypocausts, were used to heat rooms and baths. Hypocausts were invented at the end of the second century by a Roman merchant named Sergius Orata.
After the fall of Rome, hypocausts fell out of fashion, and the western world forgot central heating until the 20th century. Many people have tried to recreate how hypocausts may have worked, but the Romans had it down to a science; it's difficult for these reenactors to control the fires and keep them from escaping.
Who Invented the Modern Radiator?
Franz San-Galli (1824-1908) was a Russian businessman and inventor credited with inventing the modern radiator. San-Galli was known for being very competitive and loved to partake in engineering contests to show off his latest inventions. Then, in the 1850s, he got his big break: he was contracted to renovate one of the imperial greenhouses. His breakthroughs would later lead to what we know today as the modern radiator, although at the time, he dubbed it "the hot-box."
There is a lot of debate surrounding San-Galli's role in inventing the radiator because just years before, an American engineer created a very similar prototype. However, San-Galli patented his invention in 1857, cementing his legacy as a revolutionary engineer and inventor.
When Was the Thermostat First in Use?
In 1830, a Scottish chemist named Andrew Ure patented the thermostat. He created a bi-metallic thermostat where the metal would bend at excessive temperatures, cutting off the energy supply to a room's heating system. This allowed people to control rooms' temperatures.
Yet, while the thermostat would later become an integral part of HVAC systems, it did not see much use at the time of its invention. It would not be until many years later that thermostats would become a staple in homes and businesses.
About ThermAll Heating & Cooling Systems, Inc.
ThermAll Heating & Cooling, Inc. is a family-owned and operated business that services Yakima, Ellensburg, Cle Elum, and the surrounding area. Their expert heating contractors offer reliable services and help homeowners keep the heat on. Call now for expert heating services!
