WHAT started as an invention to control humidity in a US printing plant in 1902 has forever changed the way people in Saudi Arabia and around the world live, work and play. July marked the 110th anniversary of the invention of modern air conditioning by Dr Willis H Carrier, inventor and founder of Carrier, the world’s leader in high technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions and a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies.

On July 17, 1902, Carrier, a young research engineer just a year out of university, finalised the design to stabilise the humidity in the air so the dimensions of the paper at the Sackett & Wilhelms Lithography and printing company in Brooklyn, New York, would remain constant throughout the printing process.

Since then this innovation has been applied to everything throughout the world, from malls to manufacturing facilities, buses to businesses and houses to hospitals around the world – all looking to establish a comfortable environment. In Saudi Arabia, the development of air conditioning has enabled business and day-to-day life to thrive. 

As a company, Carrier has a long and notable history in Saudi Arabia, dating back to 1952. That year, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health commissioned Carrier to build a large ice plant and cold room in the holy city of Makkah to treat sun-struck visitors. A few years later, in 1955, 1,600 tonnes of centrifugal and reciprocating equipment was installed at the palace of King Saud Ibn Al Aziz of Saudi Arabia, in Jeddah on the Red Sea. Carrier subsequently also air-conditioned various palaces of the Royal family.

The long tradition of cooling Saudi Arabia continued, and in 1978, the University of Riyadh’s new campus site deployed six 5,000-tonne centrifugal chillers, designed to cool administrative buildings, classrooms, dormitories, and an athletic centre.

Carrier most recently also won the contract to replace these older 17DA chillers with the latest generation 17DA models at King Saud University (KSU) in Riyadh. In the early 1980s, Carrier provided 52,000 tonnes of air-conditioning capacity, “for every conceivable indoor function” to the King Khaled Military City located near Al-Batin.

Carrier was also involved in cooling projects in the industrial ports of Jubail and Yanbu, at the Prince Mehtar shopping centre in Jeddah, Al Akaria shopping complex in Riyadh, Al Mutlaq Tower in Makkah and Fibre Glass factory in Jubail. In Saudi Arabia, in addition to distribution operations, Carrier has its principle factory for high-ambient HVAC products, the Saudi Arabian Manufacturing Company (Samco), a joint venture.

In addition, Carrier introduced its popular Distinguished Sustainability Lecture Series in the region in 2011, designed to deliver lectures that feature international experts in the field of green building and sustainability.

“Over the years, Carrier’s innovations looked to make possible what was previously impossible,” says Geraud Darnis, president and CEO, UTC Climate, Controls and Security. “Today our focus remains true to our heritage as we continually push the envelope to create energy efficient, environmentally responsible products for both commercial and residential applications in all areas of the world,” he adds.

Carrier is the world’s leader in high technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions. Carrier experts provide sustainable solutions, integrating energy-efficient products, building controls, and energy services for residential, commercial, retail, transport and foodservice customers. Founded by the inventor of modern air conditioning, Carrier improves the world around us through engineered innovation and environmental stewardship.

Carrier is a part of UTC Climate, Controls and Security, a unit of United Technologies, a leading provider to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide.

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