Split System Heat Pump and Air-Source History

Split System Heat Pumps have a very interesting history. In 1840 in England, an inventor named Kelvin who developed the first heat (engine) pump.

In 1915 in the United States, an engineer, Willis “Bill’ H. Carrier began to introduce sophisticated mechanical climate control to industry. Willis H. Carrier designed and crafted installation of central heating and cooling in private residences and institutional buildings as well. The Carrier engineers determined that water was a superior source for heat transfer, and about 1950 began experiments to transfer heat from water using heat pump technology.

Also in the early 50’s, Chrysler Airtemp had developed an air conditioning system using Freon (a trademark name of DuPont for any Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), Hydrogenated CFC (HCFC), or Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerant). Conventional air conditioners use this same technology to this day.

Other manufacturers were convinced that it was more efficient to extract heat from water and they considered the work by the Chrysler Airtemp engineers to be a passing experiment and did not figure it had much of a future. It was proven that the use of Freon led the way to a more economical and practical method of cooling our homes. Residential and commercial buildings the warmer climates made this a huge industry.

Due this method of using Freon, Chrysler Airtemp enabled the Chrysler Automobile Company to be one of the first to provide America with air conditioned automobiles. The Packard Motor Car Company was the first to build air conditioners into its cars, beginning in 1939.

In the late 50’s Air Source Heat Pumps began to be developed and marketed mainly in a package units but soon developed into the split system; a very practical heating and cooling system being marketed world wide.

Engineers still consider water to be the best source of extracting heat, therefore there is a great deal of research and development be conducted on practical methods to produce an appliance at a economical price for residential use. Who knows, maybe by 2020 the Air Source Heat Pumps may be considered obsolete.