[spoon.ek9]

With the weather the way it is lately, I figured I'd share this here since I've never seen anyone else post it. This is something I actually posted on my fb back in May after watching a few different videos on YouTube. Now, there are quite a few different versions out there, but I found that this is the easiest version to make.

Materials:

90° angle PVC pipe $6
8" fan (used) $10
Styrofoam Box $free
10 ice packs $free

No more having to sweat through summer nights (for super cheap)... Priceless!

http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n405/SpoonCTREK9/10308146_10154124059110468_5919043149580764442_n.j pg

About a week later, I changed the fan to a brand new one from Walmart for less noise and a smaller size with equally good airflow for $8.96 here:

2 in1 clip/base fan | Walmart.ca (http://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/2-in1-clipbase-fan/6000176616607)

From my personal experience, this will blow cold for an entire night or at the very least, colder than your standard fan blowing around warm air!

Get building, post your pics and ENJOY some cheap air conditioning!! :D

[tiger_handheld]

$25 for you to make one for me ;)

[SoNaRWaVe]

i think you got yourself a side business for the summer spoon lol

[Doubl3_H]

Where do you get the Styrofoam box for free?

And for ice, do you use those re usable blue freeze packs?

[Ch28]

And for ice, do you use those re usable blue freeze packs?

Yes

[quasi]

Where do you get the Styrofoam box for free?

And for ice, do you use those re usable blue freeze packs?

I seen one where the guy was just using a milk jug filled with water and frozen, would work similar.

[J-Chow]

I just fill 2 x 2L pop bottles with water, freeze em, and place in front of fans.......




After,

I just turn on my ac. :troll:

[rsx]

Portable ac's aren't that expensive and used over the years is a cheap investment.

[Soundy]

Downside with this idea is that it's adding moisture to the air, especially if you're actually using ice rather than ice packs (even with ice packs, you're not removing humidity, just trapping it temporarily). A proper A/C unit dries the air as well as cooling it, which makes the cooling more effective.

I'm using a window-mount A/C right now that we paid $89 for... six years ago. That's basically $15/year, and still going strong.

[Mr.HappySilp]

Great idea! Another way to stay cool is go to a swimming pool, go watch a move(make sure the movie is in for a while so less people watching = cooler theatre) or go to the casino and just watch people play. Casino is actually pretty good air condition is strong and they give free drinks!

[AzNightmare]

With the weather the way it is lately, I figured I'd share this here since I've never seen anyone else post it. This is something I actually posted on my fb back in May after watching a few different videos on YouTube. Now, there are quite a few different versions out there, but I found that this is the easiest version to make.

Materials:

90° angle PVC pipe $6
8" fan (used) $10
Styrofoam Box $free
10 ice packs $free

No more having to sweat through summer nights (for super cheap)... Priceless!

http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n405/SpoonCTREK9/10308146_10154124059110468_5919043149580764442_n.j pg

About a week later, I changed the fan to a brand new one from Walmart for less noise and a smaller size with equally good airflow for $8.96 here:

2 in1 clip/base fan | Walmart.ca (http://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/2-in1-clipbase-fan/6000176616607)

From my personal experience, this will blow cold for an entire night or at the very least, colder than your standard fan blowing around warm air!

Get building, post your pics and ENJOY some cheap air conditioning!! :D

Can you provide a bit more pictures and instructions on how to do this?

I'm pretty intrigued and would love to start a DIY A/C project.

Where do you get free styrofoam boxes and free ice packs??

[Ch28]

Can you provide a bit more pictures and instructions on how to do this?

I'm pretty intrigued and would love to start a DIY A/C project.

http://www.thegoodsurvivalist.com/how-to-make-a-454-homemade-air-conditioner-for-about-15-this-is-totally-awesome-and-so-easy-to-make/

[meme405]

Casino is actually pretty good air condition is strong and they give free drinks!

Warning: This might end up being more expensive than buying an A/C unit.

[Xu.Vi]

Can you provide a bit more pictures and instructions on how to do this?

I'm pretty intrigued and would love to start a DIY A/C project.

Where do you get free styrofoam boxes and free ice packs??

Most seafood markets have styrofoam boxes and ice packs. Won't be free obviously but nothing over a couple bucks.

[AzNightmare]

How To Make A $454 Homemade Air Conditioner For About $15. This Is Totally Awesome, And So Easy To Make! | The Good SurvivalistThe Good Survivalist (http://www.thegoodsurvivalist.com/how-to-make-a-454-homemade-air-conditioner-for-about-15-this-is-totally-awesome-and-so-easy-to-make/)

Don't think those products are available in the Canadian Home Depot.
:okay:

[SpeedStars]

Most seafood markets have styrofoam boxes and ice packs. Won't be free obviously but nothing over a couple bucks.

I've got some Styrofoam boxes for free if anyone wants em. Smells like salmon though :heckno:

[spoon.ek9]

haha sorry, forgot to mention I got the box and ice packs from work for free. I can occasionally get one but my buddies have been taking them for their own a/c projects.

my version is quite literally freeze ice packs, cut hole into styrofoam box lid and BOOM, you're done.

there are guys out there who have attached solar panels to their fans so electricity is free too :lol you'd still have to plug it in for the night, but it's a cool idea.

i also keep a spare set of ice packs in the freezer so I can swap in fresh ones.

[spoon.ek9]

Where do you get the Styrofoam box for free?

And for ice, do you use those re usable blue freeze packs?

Yes, I'm using the reusable ice packs. It's just a lot cleaner to deal with than actual blocks or cubes of ice.

[fliptuner]

Don't think those products are available in the Canadian Home Depot.
:okay:

Buckets and drainage pipes? Of course they are.

Having said that, I got my portable AC off here for $120, 5 years ago and it's still going strong.

[spoon.ek9]

I'd strongly recommend against using styrofoam boxes that had fish in them lol. it'll stink up your room real quick.. thought that would be obvious :badpokerface:

[BrRsn]

if you have a sliding casement window, as most new houses in vancouver do, you can mount a window air conditioner designed for vertical sliding windows into your horizontal sliding casement window, parts will cost around $120 incl. the air conditioner and materials from home depot

Install an Air Conditioner in a Sliding Window - YouTube

i bought a cheap 5000 btu haier unit from walmart in the states, and used kinda the same method the dude above used except less ghetto for my computer room. Just make sure it's a window on the side of your house so it's not as big of an eyesore lol

[rice cooker]

not worth ur time. it will cool u down a bit if u aim the tube right at ur face but if u expect it to cool ur room down think again. wont even cool a small closet

[Noreason]

How about suggestions for portable air conditioners that are reasonably priced, can cool down a decent sized room, say ~300 sq ft and is quiet enough to let you sleep?

Does that exist? lol - any recommendations from you guys on good portable ones?

[rice cooker]

for 300sq ft will need at least 10k btu probly around $400-500

[Noreason]

for 300sq ft will need at least 10k btu probly around $400-500

Cool, any specific brands/models you would recommend? I'm looking for quietness.

[spoon.ek9]

not worth ur time. it will cool u down a bit if u aim the tube right at ur face but if u expect it to cool ur room down think again. wont even cool a small closet

this is true, don't expect this thing to cool your entire room. just think of it as a better option than blowing warm air around with a fan. if you're going to use a fan all night, why not have it blow cool air over your bed instead?

this is a cheap, easy thing to do and it has definitely given me better sleep during summer nights :D

[Soundy]

I'd strongly recommend against using styrofoam boxes that had fish in them lol. it'll stink up your room real quick.. thought that would be obvious :badpokerface:
Unless you're into that sort of thing... :troll:

[Soundy]

How about suggestions for portable air conditioners that are reasonably priced, can cool down a decent sized room, say ~300 sq ft and is quiet enough to let you sleep?

Does that exist? lol - any recommendations from you guys on good portable ones?
http://www.princessauto.com/mobile/product/productDetail.jsp?productID=8540452

[spoon.ek9]

if you enjoy the smell of rotting fish being blown into your face all night long.......... :pokerface:

[Mr.Money]

sounds like a night in Thailand :troll:

[Peturbo]

Homemade Air Conditioner with Dry Ice - YouTube
or be like this smart ass and kill yourself overnight with some CO2 poisoning
Also notice the awesome craftsmanship

[nsmb]

Princess Auto (http://www.princessauto.com/mobile/product/productDetail.jsp?productID=8540452)


bought one of these lg units and ended up getting this a week later.

Haier 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner (HPF14XCM-B) - Black/Silver : Portable Air Conditioners - Future Shop (http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/haier-haier-14-000-btu-portable-air-conditioner-hpf14xcm-b-black-silver-hpf14xcm-b/10234635.aspx?path=a0d2a6b232e121183be771cb18a676a 1en02)

just spend the extra cash, you get dual vents and auto evaporate, quieter and overall more efficient

[CharlesInCharge]

Heres an expensive method I just thought of... but it could payoff in the longterm and work without electricity.

With plastic tubes, pipe your naturally cold(even in the summer time) sink water into a copper pipe seat, your body heat would transfer off into the metal, then release the water into the drain and repeat when needed.
http://i.imgur.com/TPwpxkN.jpg

[heisenberg]

i tried this today with an old protein tub and vitamin jars, the fan was an old pc fan i wired to a USB. the fan was too weak D:

[underscore]

You guys do realize that technically freezing the ice packs warms up your place more than this thing will cool it down right?

For staying cool on the cheap and lazy as I kid I just put a damp cloth on my forehead and turned on a fan.

[TOPEC]

bought one of these lg units and ended up getting this a week later.

Haier 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner (HPF14XCM-B) - Black/Silver : Portable Air Conditioners - Future Shop (http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/haier-haier-14-000-btu-portable-air-conditioner-hpf14xcm-b-black-silver-hpf14xcm-b/10234635.aspx?path=a0d2a6b232e121183be771cb18a676a 1en02)

just spend the extra cash, you get dual vents and auto evaporate, quieter and overall more efficient

i have the older style, same 14,000BTU unit, its way too loud to sleep with but it sure cools down a room in the afternoon heat. i still use fans at night for sleeping, 1 intake in the bedroom window, 1 exit in the bathroom window so there is a cool air current going pass my room. no need ac at night

[SkinnyPupp]

Holy shit @ $500 on something you only use like 2 weeks out of the year :fuckthatshit:

[heleu]

Heres an expensive method I just thought of... but it could payoff in the longterm and work without electricity.

With plastic tubes, pipe your naturally cold(even in the summer time) sink water into a copper pipe seat, your body heat would transfer off into the metal, then release the water into the drain and repeat when needed.
http://i.imgur.com/TPwpxkN.jpg

...you're basically saying waste treated, drinkable cold water and dump it down the drain.

They used to do this in commercial buildings for after hours air conditioning for server rooms. It's been banned for the last 10 years because of the massive waste of water.

[Lomac]

Holy shit @ $500 on something you only use like 2 weeks out of the year :fuckthatshit:

My A/C has been running since May. :lol Mind you, I'm in a slightly warmer climate than the GVRD.

I've got a portable, window mounted Danby unit. It's a Danby Premiere, about 14k BTU. Noisy as hell when it's running at full speed, but when it's day time, all I care about is the temperature. At night it goes into Eco mode so it's quiet.

[Gumby]

Holy shit @ $500 on something you only use like 2 weeks out of the year :fuckthatshit:
Vancouverites are real pussies when it comes to heat indoors. We can't sleep when we're hot & sweaty at night! More and more new homes being built now have central air-conditioning, even cheap Vancouver-East cookie-cutter homes.

True story - my family was complaining about the heat, while our relatives from HK currently visiting say that the temperature is great! :lol

[nsmb]

Holy shit @ $500 on something you only use like 2 weeks out of the year :fuckthatshit:


3 months... south west facing condo :heckno:never again

[Presto]

For staying cool on the cheap and lazy as I kid I just put a damp cloth on my forehead and turned on a fan.

A nice way to get a refreshing cool-down is to fill up a sink with cold water, and immerse your arms in it for 30 seconds. We had the kitchen sink filled on the weekend, and just went for a dunk whenever we felt hot.

I'm a cheap-ass, so no AC for us. Our apartment stays cool by having the shades closed, and 3 sets of window fans pulling air through. Our room is chilly at night. Even this past weekend.

[604STIG]

For those using only fans, try to create a wind tunnel effect through your house. Place a fan facing in (intake) to the house in front of a large door/window (preferably the north side of house) then place a fan in front of door/window facing outwards (exhaust) on the south side of the house. You'd be surprised how well this works if you set it up right, especially if you start messing with combinations of which interior doors to open and close to get the wind tunnel effect.

[CharlesInCharge]

...you're basically saying waste treated, drinkable cold water and dump it down the drain.

They used to do this in commercial buildings for after hours air conditioning for server rooms. It's been banned for the last 10 years because of the massive waste of water.People take 30 minute showers, I would think that amount of water would be good enough to cool you at peak hours.
The world needs more geothermal setups tapping into household backyard waters.

[bananana]

Damn, this thread is ghetto. The shit you motherfuckers have to resort to so you can spend all your money on cars. :facepalm:

[Lomac]

3 months... south west facing condo :heckno:never again

My old house was south facing, with basically a glass wall on the south end. It offered fantastic views, especially since it was at the top of a mountain, but my god it made the house completely unbearable during the summer months. There's central air in there now, but man...

[Harvey Specter]

Damn, this thread is ghetto. The shit you motherfuckers have to resort to so you can spend all your money on cars. :facepalm:

I seriously LOL'd when I read this. Haha.

[entrax]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4d/Window_Fan.jpg

I use one of these. My window always has a shadow (between two houses) and my room is always 5c colder in the day time and 10c colder at night than the rest of the house. It's quite amazing. I got my room down to 18c last night. Cheap $35 investment.

[StylinRed]

Holy shit @ $500 on something you only use like 2 weeks out of the year :fuckthatshit:

we've got central air and use it from around April/May to Oct :D

[PeanutButter]

Cool, any specific brands/models you would recommend? I'm looking for quietness.

10k BTU is minimum. I would go at least 20k btu for my room.

[Noreason]

Yeah I admit I'm a wuss. It kills a good night of sleep when it's too hot for me and we are no where as hot as the rest of Canada.

My condo has floor to ceiling windows facing northwest and it definitely feels like a sauna even with shades and windows open and unfortunately central air is controlled by the strata and not individual units.

$500 is definitely worth the investment for couple years of good climate control in your house. I think people can blow more than that on a weekend out partying or just daily lunches or coffee adding up through a year.

[multicartual]

$500 is definitely worth the investment

I think people can blow more than that on a weekend out partying


Cheap weekend haha

[tiger_handheld]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4d/Window_Fan.jpg

I use one of these. My window always has a shadow (between two houses) and my room is always 5c colder in the day time and 10c colder at night than the rest of the house. It's quite amazing. I got my room down to 18c last night. Cheap $35 investment.

where to get?

[TOPEC]

^ yes where to get? oh n for ppl looking into getting a window fan, dont get the one from canadian tire because in order to "reverse" the air flow ull need to physically reverse mount the fan to change directions, all others ive seen has switches to reverse the air flow.

[spoon.ek9]

I've seen those types of fans at Walmart actually. I'm sure other places have similar ones too (home depot, canadian tire, etc).

It may be ghetto to do this but man, I love it lol :haha:

[Ch28]

Yeah I admit I'm a wuss. It kills a good night of sleep when it's too hot for me and we are no where as hot as the rest of Canada.

My condo has floor to ceiling windows facing northwest and it definitely feels like a sauna even with shades and windows open and unfortunately central air is controlled by the strata and not individual units.

$500 is definitely worth the investment for couple years of good climate control in your house. I think people can blow more than that on a weekend out partying or just daily lunches or coffee adding up through a year.

+1

We picked up our portable AC for $300 on sale. Everywhere else ended up being sold out the following day

$500 is most definitely a worthwhile investing in controlling the temperate in your house, especially when all your friends start whining about how they're melting at home :lol

[rsx]

My condo before can get up to 34 degrees so the ac was a must.

[m3thods]

For those of you with condos:

Which portable AC units are you using? Most require a window that doesn't open like most modern condo windows open (in/out, rather than up/down). Do you just DIY some ducting to make it work, or are there units specifically for the in/out type of windows?

[Ch28]

For those of you with condos:

Which portable AC units are you using? Most require a window that doesn't open like most modern condo windows open (in/out, rather than up/down). Do you just DIY some ducting to make it work, or are there units specifically for the in/out type of windows?

We have ours hooked up to the patio door. All portable AC units should have brackets that extend the height of a sliding patio door.

[entrax]

where to get?

^ yes where to get? oh n for ppl looking into getting a window fan, dont get the one from canadian tire because in order to "reverse" the air flow ull need to physically reverse mount the fan to change directions, all others ive seen has switches to reverse the air flow.

Mine is actually from CT. It's the one that doesn't reverse. However, I honestly have not needed to reverse it at all. I just keep it on 24/7 and it keeps the room comfortable enough.

Changing the wiring to have reverse wouldn't be too hard either since there are three switches. OFF, LOW, HIGH. The low setting can easily be wired to go in reverse.

[fliptuner]

For those of you with condos:

Which portable AC units are you using? Most require a window that doesn't open like most modern condo windows open (in/out, rather than up/down). Do you just DIY some ducting to make it work, or are there units specifically for the in/out type of windows?

Worst case, buy a piece of plexi, cut the same size as the window opening, then using the window mount that comes with the AC as a template, cut a hole the same size.

[nsmb]

Worst case, buy a piece of plexi, cut the same size as the window opening, then using the window mount that comes with the AC as a template, cut a hole the same size.


thick cardboard bro

[fliptuner]

Some stratas have restrictions on what you can see from outside (ie. blinds and window decorations).

[Tim Budong]

You gotta use the plexiglass for casement windows that swing open

Our condo is the same.

[fliptuner]

Those window fans are $30 at XSCargo right now.

[Senna4ever]

Last night was the first time this year I didn't use the heater in the basement. It's perfect. Upstairs feels like a sauna.

[bobola]

For those with window fan.

I know you pull air in at night.
But during the day, should you pull air in or push air out?

[hotjoint]

this is what I have :thumbsup:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71l7geCpj-S._SY355_.jpg

[TOPEC]

For those with window fan.

I know you pull air in at night.
But during the day, should you pull air in or push air out?

if the window fan is facing the sun, push out, but make sure u also open a window that is shaded so cool air can replace the hot air that is pushed out. if the window fan is shaded then pull in

[spoon.ek9]

I'm liking this sharing of different methods haha. Maybe I'll look at these window fans as a next project.

[dogeatcookie]

Holy shit @ $500 on something you only use like 2 weeks out of the year :fuckthatshit:

http://s2.quickmeme.com/img/95/954244dfeecb2eef0d624323bbc93c893cfd2debe18e92d2cf 461ff25d0c2fcd.jpg

[FerrariEnzo]

Not sure if a window fan will work for my weird ass room..

No wind comes thru.. literally, with the window wide open (it slides right - left).. I could hold a piece of paper right against the mesh screen and it does not move... even at night its the same thing..
you can feel the temp is so hot as soon as you walk into my room from the hallway.. its super noticeable...

[underscore]

^ dude that's the point of a fan, to increase air flow.

[Presto]

Yep. The key is airflow. An apartment can be easily set up for that. Below is a rough idea of how my system looks. It's a corner unit. The blue represents open windows. The red are the window fans.

The fans are always set to exhaust. This lowers the air pressure in the apartment, causing air to come in through the bedrooms. Depending on the time of day, I'll shut the door to the room that's getting blasted with sunlight. In addition to constant airflow, resulting in cooler temps, you also get a nice, quiet breeze when you sleep. Not having noisy fans in the room while you sleep is nice!

[fliptuner]

Free Styro Boxes (http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/rds/zip/4595273635.html)

:troll:

[BrRsn]

Free Styro Boxes (http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/rds/zip/4595273635.html)

:troll:

usually used for transporting fish


.... sounds ... excellent :heckno:

[Ch28]

For those with window fan.

I know you pull air in at night.
But during the day, should you pull air in or push air out?

You want to push air out during the day and pull air in during the evening

It's hottest during the day, so you're basically heating up your place by pulling in the hot air

[underscore]

Either way air will come in, it has to. IMO pull from shaded areas and push to sunny areas.

[melloman]

^^
Pull in air at night.
Wake up at sunrise.
Close all windows/doors.
Repeat.