Ancient Heating Methods

September 14, 2015

Phoenicians are notorious wimps when it comes to cold weather. Heat we have no problem with. 115 out? Well, that is just a typical balmy summer day. Why not throw on some shorts and go for a walk? Winter comes, the temperature drops below 60 degrees and everyone panics. Households start bundling up in sweaters and jackets while heating systems across the Valley of the Sun start coming online. What would we do if our heating systems suddenly broke down for good? Don’t worry, there are plenty of ancient heating methods that can keep you warm through the winter.

Ancient Romans built houses which were raised several feet off from the ground. In the open space between the ground and the floor of their home they would build a number of small fires. These fires conveniently radiated heat through the entire house. This was called a hypocaust heating system. Not everyone in Ancient Rome was lucky enough to enjoy a nice toasty warm floor and a pleasantly heated house. Hypocaust heating systems were only available to the very wealthy. 

The modern fireplace was first seen in the early 1200’s. Unfortunately for our ancestors these early fireplaces did not come attached to chimneys. Lighting the fireplace may help keep the living room warm through the cold winter months, but it also meant copious smoke inhalation.

Stoves had been used for hundreds of years before our very own founding father Benjamin Franklin came along and invented a way to increase their effectiveness and better distribute their heat through the home.

Radiators were invented in 1855 in St Petersburg. They used hot water or stream to warm individual rooms. Some radiators even came with crude early thermostats!

Lucky for the residence of Phoenix, the brilliant HVAC system was invented in the middle of the 20th century, and the trained professionals at Parker & Sons have been installing, repairing, and maintaining them ever since.