The Los Angeles Times recently reported that 6.5 billion or 81% of the world’s population have experienced abnormally high summer temperatures due to climate change. That means it is becoming harder to escape the heat even in areas that have traditionally not needed air conditioning. Even if you have air conditioning, systems can fail. And, of course, summer is the season of camping where sweltering days can make for uncomfortable tents.
Regardless of your situation, if you’re suffering from heat extremes, there are some fairly simple DIY hacks that will provide some relief from summer temps. With simple materials, such as a small fan, a cooler or bucket, some ice, and basic tools, you can make your own air conditioning unit for a much needed cool down. Here are a few ideas for DIY units that are not difficult to construct:
- The cooler unit: Using a styrofoam cooler (or for the more handy, a plastic cooler), cut a hole in the center of the lid that will hold a small fan. For portability and use while camping look for a USB-, battery-, or solar-driven fan. Now cut a hole on each side of the fan hole that will accommodate 90-degree PVC joints. Insert the fan (face down so air blows into the cooler) and the two pipe joints in their respective openings (can be sealed in place with hot glue). Fill the cooler with ice, replace the lid, cut on the fan, and enjoy. The air blown into the cooler over the ice will be chilled and will blow out the PVC openings for as long as the ice lasts. Tip: To make ice last longer, freeze water in bottles and use these as ice blocks.
- The fan unit: Make small holes in the sides of two plastic bottles (a soldering iron can be useful for this). Strap the two bottles filled with ice on the back side of a fan using zip ties. Turn on the fan–the air drawn across the iced bottles will be cooled and blown into the space. A variation of this is to put ice cubes in a mesh bag and strap this to the fan Just be sure to place a container underneath to catch melt.
- The milk carton unit: For a compact, easily portable version, try this method. Repurpose a CPU fan that has been fitted with a 12-volt adapter and cut a hole in the side of a milk carton. Seal the fan to the hole and fill the carton with ice. You can then attach a 12-volt battery to the fan, cut it on and enjoy the cool breeze that comes out of the pour-opening of the carton.
- The mini-evaporator: For a method that doesn’t require ice, you can use a plastic container with holes drilled in the sides. Cut a hole in top that will accommodate a small fan or CPU fan and seal the fan to the hole so that air is blown into the box. Place three wet sponges inside the box so that each stands on its long edge. The air drawn into the box will be cooled by evaporation and will be blown out of the drill holes.
–
Written by Ivan Young in partnership with wrought iron door manufacturer Abby Iron Doors.
