Build a Cool DIY Air Conditioner For Under $60!
If you’re living in a hot climate right now and don’t have hundreds or thousands of dollars to spend on a air conditioner help you here! For under $60 you can learn how to build a DIY air conditioner with just a few items from your local hardware store!
The items you’ll need are list below along with a step by step guide on how to build it do-it-yourself style!
Did you know the first air conditioner, designed by Willis Carrier in 1902, was designed to control the humidity in a New York publishing house. Its effects helped ink to dry faster and smudge free, as well as keeping the paper from expanding and contracting.
Here’s what you need:
SUPPLIES
Table fan – $16
Bucket – $5
Bucket lid – $3.50
1-1/2 in. PVC (cut into 3-inch segments) – $3.50
Mint spray paint – $4
Gold spray paint – $4
Styrofoam bucket liner – $6 each
1-1/2 in hole saw for drill – $12
Frozen gallon of water
TOOLS
Drill
Drop cloth
Box cutter
1. First, place the insulation into the bucket.
2. Holding the insulation and the bucket together, drill right through both layers with your hole saw.
To get enough pressure, you might need to hold the bucket against a wall or the ground. Repeat this step to make three holes in one line across the bucket, about 2 inches apart.
3. Disassemble your fan, unscrewing it from the base.
We had to use the drill as an electric screwdriver for this part, because it was pretty tight. You won’t need the base for the rest of the project, so you can just toss it.
4. Take the front face of the fan off, too.
There should be little screws on the back of any fan (so you can take it apart to clean it).
5. Use the front panel of the fan to trace a circle on the bucket lid.
The fan will sit inside this lid, so make sure it’s the biggest part of the face you’re tracing.
6. Cut the inner part of the lid out using a box cutter.
7. Then, for a decorative touch, spray paint the bucket and your pipe fittings.
This part is optional (but highly recommended by the aesthetes at BuzzFeed Life). We went with our favorite shade of mint.
8. Then paint your fan and bucket lid a complementary color.
Why not add a little gold to your life?
9. Once it’s dry, it’s time to assemble!
Put the pipe fittings into the holes. If they’re a little loose, you can always use hot glue to keep them in straight. Then, insert your frozen gallon of water into the bucket, and put the lid on.
Tip: It’s best to have two frozen gallons of water. This way when one melts, you’ll have another frozen one on hand, and you can refreeze the melted one.
10. Put the two sides of the fan back together, then fit the fan front-first into the hole in the lid.
11. Now, put that baby in your scorching hot apartment!
To make it even ~snazzier~ we taped bits of tinsel to each pipe so you could see when it was working!
And, this thing actually works.
We used this temperature gun and clocked the air coming out at 64-66 degrees.
via BuzzFeed
