Do you want to find out how to build an air conditioner yourself using common materials? Here is a guide to easy DIY project!
Build your own air conditioner without electricity?
In the height of summer, staying indoors without air conditioning can be a real challenge. You’re sweating all the time, and the fan blades just spin the warm air around the room. Not only can this be frustrating, but it can also skyrocket your utility bills. Since most air conditioning systems rely on refrigerants and fans, there are creative ways to mimic such devices using existing materials. These can be operated with electricity, batteries or even solar cells if you want to save energy.
Since not everyone can afford an air conditioner, such a DIY project would be an inexpensive alternative to traditional equipment. Fortunately, no special knowledge of electrical engineering or great manual skills are required for this. In addition, you can use either a fan or the cooler of an old PC with ice in a cooler to be more comfortable in the summer heat. Here are the materials needed and the simple steps you need to follow to build such an air conditioner yourself.
How can you build your air conditioner yourself?
When making a project like this, you can use a fan to blow air either through a duct embedded in ice or through copper coils suspended from the front of a fan. Before you get started, however, all you need are a few basic things. You can certainly get these at your local hardware store. After you have all the supplies, you’re just an afternoon project away from a homemade portable air conditioner. You can use the following materials and tools in the project:
Styrofoam cooler, plastic cooler, or any other type of plastic container. However, with the second one, remember that you will have to cut open the lid and the ice inside will melt faster, since low temperatures in it will not last long. Adhesive tape and glue Box cutter or handsaw with guard Pencil or permanent marker and tape measure to determine the correct size of the fan you are using Battery or battery powered or solar powered fan Two bent PVC pipes approximately 15 to 20 cm in diameter, each depending on the size of the box of ice cubes or ice buckets used
When operating with electricity, be sure to use care when handling power cords and water to prevent electric shock. Keep these separate and only plug all electrical devices into outlets with circuit breakers. Leave everything unplugged and only plug it in when you want to use the system. If you can’t find a Styrofoam cool box, you can also assemble it yourself, although a wall thickness of 3 cm is recommended. Assemble the styrofoam box and seal the corners well to keep air out and the temperature low. Once you’ve found a pre-made cooler, all you have to do is drill a few holes – one for the fan and a few holes for the pipes that cold air will come out of.
Step-by-step instructions
Such a DIY device can be used to cool a small room or you can use it for a cool breeze in the tent on your next camping trip. Now that you have gathered your supplies, you can follow the steps below and build your DIY air conditioner yourself.
Build your own air conditioner with cool box and fan
First sketch the fan by inserting batteries in the case of batteries and then positioning the device in the center of the lid. Now trace around the edges of the fan with the permanent marker or pencil. First, if necessary, drill the lid by making a hole in the center of the circle you drew on the lid. This makes it easier to cut out the circle with the saw.
Next, cut out the hole for the fan, either using the box cutter or cutting with the saw following the sketch. Then add the fan by positioning it in the hole so that its front faces into the interior of the cooler when you close the lid. Secure the device around the edges with tape and glue, letting the latter dry. Tape the edges on the back and front of the fan.
Then sketch out the holes for the PVC pipes by placing one of them on one end of the cooler and outlining it. Do the same with the other side of the radiator. Now drill a pilot hole in the circle as you did for the lid and do this again on both sides of the cooler. Then cut out the holes for the pipes with a saw or knife, depending on the material. Then slide each tube into the appropriate hole, making sure the ends of the tubes are facing up. Tape each tube around the edges at the hole as you did with the fan. The last step is to fill the cooler with ice cubes, close the lid and turn on the fan. Within 10 minutes the air conditioner should blow out cool air. Tips and tricks for using the homemade air conditioner
The method of cooling with such an air conditioner is quite simple. It creates cold air by having a battery-powered fan or fan force it into the cooler through the ice. The cold air is then pushed out of the tubes at both ends of the radiator. If you’re near either end, you can look forward to a cool breeze, at least until the ice melts. However, to get the most out of your DIY portable air conditioner, consider using ice jars instead of ice cubes.
To do this, get a few jugs of water and then freeze them. This also requires no cleaning as the frozen water jugs are clean and can be frozen again and again. Additionally, to save on batteries or electricity, you can also opt for a solar powered fan instead of a battery powered one. So you don’t have to worry about changing the battery. Another trick is to put a couple of dryer sheets on top of the ice to make the expelled cool air even more pleasantly fragrant.