Since the beginning of time, humans have needed heat to stay alive. It all started with simple campfires, but today, we use high-tech heating systems to keep our homes cozy all year long.
In the Beginning
Though hominids used fire to cook as far back as 1.8 million years ago, it took a long time for early humans to fully understand how to control fire for consistent warmth. But having a fire in the middle of a cave, which is where many were located, brought problems. One was possible smoke inhalation. The heat from the fire could also actually weaken the cave itself, sometimes to the point where it caved in. Anthropologists don’t believe that humans lived in caves all of the time but only sheltered in them during times of emergency. There’s evidence that hominids built shelters with ventilation, but these shelters were impermanent.
Fireplaces and Stoves
Many homes have fireplaces, but they exist for aesthetics rather than providing heat to the house. Fireplaces evolved from vents in the roof that allowed the smoke to escape, but proper chimneys weren’t developed until the late Middle Ages. From there, the evolution of the fireplace continued apace. Fireplaces not only provided warmth, but were the places where members of the household gathered. Many are extremely ornate and beautiful.
Stoves were also used for both heating and cooking, and like fireplaces, many are astoundingly beautiful. Early stoves were made of masonry, and the first cast-iron model was built in the 17th century in Massachusetts. A century later, Benjamin Franklin created the Franklin stove, which more efficiently heated a room. These stoves were and are heated with firewood and coal.
Central Heating
Early forms of central heating date back thousands of years. For example, the Korean ondol system used heat from wood fires beneath stone floors to warm living spaces. The ancient Greeks and Romans also used central heating through fires set beneath the floor. In modern times, central heating can also come from pipes beneath the floor or in the walls that carry hot water, heated air or electricity. Other ways to provide heating throughout your home include heat pumps, furnaces that are powered by natural gas, propane or electricity and boilers that provide heat through hot water or steam.
Heating technology is changing as saving energy and protecting the planet become more important. Newer systems are built to use less power while keeping your home even more comfortable. As these innovations improve, homeowners can look forward to heaters that work better, cost less to run and are much better for the environment. If you live in Baton Rouge, LA or a surrounding area and need heating installation services, make your first call to HVAC Essentials.