There are still a few sweltering days of summer left, and if you're looking for a cool breeze without the expense of an actual air conditioning unit here's a way to use a bucket and some ice to cool down an entire room.


We've posted about DIYing an air conditioner out of a cheap Styrofoam cooler and some ice packs, but this version is a bit more durable (not to mention comes with a step-by-step video). You can build it with a 5-gallon bucket, Styrofoam liner, PVC pipe, ice (or in this case, water frozen inside a milk jug), and a small fan. According to the video, it chilled air from 84 degrees F to the mid forties, and lasted for about six hours.

The fan can also be run off a small solar panel, which opens up some possibilities for cooling down areas that don't have electricity.


While window AC units are getting less expensive, there may be times when a cheap DIY version comes in handy. Check out the video for a full walkthrough.

Homemade Air Conditioner DIY | YouTube