Summer is almost over, but it is still very hot during the days. We do not have an air conditioning unit we just use fans. Boy was I happy when I ran into this homemade DIY 5 Gallon Bucket Air Conditioner on youtube.
It does not need a compressor and is very simple to build from just a re-purposed 5 gallon plastic bucket. It is perfect for off grid living as you can run the small fan on solar energy too.
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Here’s What You’ll Need:
- 5 gallon plastic bucket
- styrofoam liner
- 1.5″ pvc pipe
- small fan
- ice or frozen gallon filled with water
- small solar panel (optional)
- hand drill
- 2 1/4″ saw bit
- 2 1/8″ saw bit
- utility knife
Step By Step Instructions
1. Drill 3 holes the same diameter as your short 1.5″ PVC pipe outlets on the side of the plastic bucket, about one third of the way from the top. Use the 2 1/4″ saw bit for these holes.
2. Place the styrofoam liner inside the bucket and drill through the liner. Use the 2 1/8″ saw bit.
3. Insert the PVC pipes through the holes they should fit in there perfectly.
4. Cut out a hole on the top of your lid, that will allow the small fan to sit on it without falling into the bucket.
5. Place your ice or frozen gallon into the bucket. Close the lid and place your fan on top of it.
When you turn on the fan, your homemade air conditioner should be working and cooling the air in your room.
A frozen gallon of water can last about 6 hours, and cool the room from 84 degrees F to about mid 40 degrees F. You can connect the fan to a small 15W solar panel when running it during the day.
You watch the video below, on how to build this homemade air cooler…
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