My apt tends to run about 20 degrees hotter than outside in hot weather. I turned to an old remedy for this problem called Okie air conditioners. They are easy to make. They do not take long to make and they work especially well in small spaces, and are cheap to run. They are also easier on the Earth than a real air conditioner.
I thought it might help more people to stay comfortable if I share how to make one.
You need an ice chest. I like to use cheap biodegradable styrofoam ones. You need a lid for the ice chest that you can cut holes in. You need something to cut holes in the ice chest lid. A box cutter or knife are fine for styrofoam. You need a PVC elbow or you can make an even cheaper elbow from toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, or the like. You need a fan that will sit on top of a hole in the ice chest, without falling in. You need ice, preferably the biggest chunk of it that will fit inside your ice chest. Chunks of ice last longer than cubes.
Trace a hole in the top of your ice chest that is a little smaller than your fan, leaving room for a smaller hole for your PVC or cardboard elbow. Trace a hole for the elbow.
Cut out the holes for the fan and the elbow. If u want to get fancy, you can make gaskets for the holes out of something soft. That can be wadded up toilet paper, felt, rubber, soft fabric, or squishy foam plastic for crafts.
Put the ice inside your chest. Put the fan on top of its hole in the ice chest lid, facing down into the hole so it blows down on the ice. Put the Okie air conditioner where you can turn the elbow to blow cool air where you want it to go.
Repeat the above to make as many Okie A Cs as you need. Enjoy your well-earned coolness. Rest on your laurels.
*Note: a styrofoam ice chest lasts longer if you keep it dry. Freezing your ice in plastic containers helps keep your Okie AC dry. Leave the ice in the plastic container when you place it in your ice chest. You can probably use your Okie AC for years if you do this.
I thought it might help more people to stay comfortable if I share how to make one.
You need an ice chest. I like to use cheap biodegradable styrofoam ones. You need a lid for the ice chest that you can cut holes in. You need something to cut holes in the ice chest lid. A box cutter or knife are fine for styrofoam. You need a PVC elbow or you can make an even cheaper elbow from toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, or the like. You need a fan that will sit on top of a hole in the ice chest, without falling in. You need ice, preferably the biggest chunk of it that will fit inside your ice chest. Chunks of ice last longer than cubes.
Trace a hole in the top of your ice chest that is a little smaller than your fan, leaving room for a smaller hole for your PVC or cardboard elbow. Trace a hole for the elbow.
Cut out the holes for the fan and the elbow. If u want to get fancy, you can make gaskets for the holes out of something soft. That can be wadded up toilet paper, felt, rubber, soft fabric, or squishy foam plastic for crafts.
Put the ice inside your chest. Put the fan on top of its hole in the ice chest lid, facing down into the hole so it blows down on the ice. Put the Okie air conditioner where you can turn the elbow to blow cool air where you want it to go.
Repeat the above to make as many Okie A Cs as you need. Enjoy your well-earned coolness. Rest on your laurels.
*Note: a styrofoam ice chest lasts longer if you keep it dry. Freezing your ice in plastic containers helps keep your Okie AC dry. Leave the ice in the plastic container when you place it in your ice chest. You can probably use your Okie AC for years if you do this.
