In this project, I'm going to show you how to make an air cooler out of household materials which will help you beat the heat and your electricity bill as well.

If you don't prefer to read, you can skip it and watch the video instead where I have explained all the steps in detail. If you do, then continue reading the written steps along with pictures in the following steps.

Step 1: Stuff You Need

1) Styrofoam box - I got mine at a local fisheries store

2) 2 Small fans - I'm using rechargeable ones

3) Empty soda cans - As many as you can loosely fit inside the box in standing position but not that loose that they fall over

4) Water - Optionally, you can add salt to water to lower freezing point of the solution.

5) Cutter

6) Pliers

7) Marker

8) Ruler (Optional)

9) Duct tape (Optional)

10) Scissors (Optional)

Step 2: Prep the Cans

- Rinse the cans with water to clean them out.

- Pull the tab off the top using a set of pliers.

- Take some water and mix salt in it. You can use plain water as well but adding salt causes it to freeze at below the freezing point of pure water hence making the ice colder.

- Pour the water into the can. But don't fill it completely.

- Pat the openings using some paper tower and then place some duct tape over it to seal the openings.

- Repeat this with all the cans and put them in the freezer to set.

Step 3: Make the Fans' Slots in the Lid

Meanwhile the cans are setting, we'll work on preparing out Styrofoam box.

- Turn the lid so the underside if facing upwards.

- Place your fans inside the bump which runs along the corner of the lid.

- Trace the fans with a marker the make a shape for cutting out.

- Make sure you cut out only circles for the fans and the rest of the fan can rest on the top of the lid.

- When done, make sure the fans fit nice and tightly in their slots and let's move on to making the vents now.

Step 4:

- Make outlines for the vents on one side of the box. About 10cm by 3cm.

- Cut out the blocks neatly and save these blocks and the circles from the fans you cut out earlier. we might need it later.

- For some added strength and better look, I wrapped the whole box and edges on the box and lid. This also ensures a tighter seal when closing the lid.

We're almost done now. Lets move on to the next step.

Step 5: Stack It and Power It Up.

- Fill your box with your frozen cans. The gaps between the cans allow air to flow through them becoming colder along the way before leaving the vents. Also, near the vents, I've placed shorter cans so it doesn't block the flow of air.

- Close the lid, switch on the fans and place them in their slots. Now enjoy a cool breeze from a makeshift AC you just made with some household materials and be happy that you’re saving at least something on your next electricity bill.

Move on to the next step for a quick bench test.

Step 6: Let's Test It Now.

- Its 40 degrees celcius out here and I placed my AC about a meter away from the thermometer.

- Within a couple of minutes the temperature drops from 40 to a more relaxing 28 degrees. And this is in the heat outside. In a confined space like a room, it's going to perform even better.

This is more like a one person cooler and works great if you’re alone and don’t want to switch on the AC to cool down the whole room or if you have a kid, just keep it next to the cot and let your little on relax.

I hope you like this project and let me know if you try it out. Don't forget to share it with your friends and family.
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