Air conditioners have been around for ages since it was invented by Willis Carrier in 1902. Since then, the use and improvement of air conditioners have come a long way, and their usage has become increasingly popular. So is the air conditioner a modern luxury or a necessity?
Come to think of it, our great grandparents have lived without it. So, what makes it so much a seemingly necessary appliance?
The Importance of the Air Conditioner in Our Life
As the population grew, and modernization continued its momentum, more and more uses of the air conditioner have evolved.
More than the comfort of cooler air, the air conditioner has made a lot of things possible since its invention. For one, having air conditioning has made architectural structures with more compact designs possible. This makes for more efficient use of space particularly of offices in an ever-growing population. It also makes possible the large gathering of people in a compact area. Air conditioning also provides comfort for office workers which of course results to greater productivity and overall well-being. Laboratories and hospitals (at least in the critical areas such as operating rooms) cannot exist without air conditioning.
Summers are also getting warmer, and from a luxury, an air conditioner has become a necessity if we are to preserve our well-being, overall disposition, and health.
The Downside
The big question is the growing over dependence on air conditioners, which of course, has a downside.
In the US alone, cooling America’s architectural structures and vehicles means an additional half a billion metric tons of carbon dioxide released into the air annually.
This is becoming a global concern, and we can all do our part by minimizing the overuse of our AC units. Even turning the thermostat a degree or two up will have a good impact on the environment. Proper maintenance of our AC units also helps. Air conditioners have also evolved in such a way that AC units have continued to improve. They have become more energy efficient and thus, beneficial to the environment.
The bottom line is, while an air conditioner has gone from a luxury to a necessity, we need to do our part. Conscientious use and maintenance of our air conditioner will collectively benefit us all, from lower bills to a better environment.