Stay Cool This Summer with Your Own DIY AC Unit

This year the U.S. has experienced record-high heat and western Washington continues to see warm temperatures, which will likely continue through the rest of the season and into fall.

Seniors, young children and those experiencing an illness are vulnerable in this heat so it's important that you and your loved ones stay cool as best you can.

There are safety tips for you to beat the heat, but you may still want some relief at home so you can relax during the day and at night, which can seem impossible without air conditioning.

However, if your home or apartment does not have an AC unit, there are ways to create one yourself without dishing out hundreds of dollars.

How to Make Your Own AC

While it's cheaper than manufactured AC units, you will still need some items that you may or may not already have on hand.

These include a small fan, a large cooler made from Styrofoam or other soft material, a box cutter, an elbow pipe and lots of ice.

1. Using your box cutter, cut two holes in the lid of your cooler, one slightly smaller than the size of your fan and the other slightly larger than the size of your elbow pipe. (NOTE: Make measuring easier by using a marker to trace the outline of your fan and piping on the lid of your cooler.)
2. Fill the cooler about halfway with ice and close it.
3. Place your fan over the corresponding hole on your cooler so that the airflow is directed into the cooler.
4. Place your elbow pipe in its corresponding hole so that the exposed half is pointing away from your fan. (NOTE: You can attach the fan and piping to the cooler using an adhesive like duct tape.)
5. Plug in your fan and let the cooling power begin!

A DIY AC unit won't be as powerful as a regular manufactured AC unit, it will help cool a small space like a bedroom or living room.

In addition to your handy makeshift AC unit, there are additional ways to keep indoors cool, including:

• Keep your shades drawn during the hottest part of the day or anytime you have direct sunlight coming through your windows.
• Consider your diet and how certain foods impact how warm you feel as well as how much energy you have.
• Open your windows during the evening and morning hours to allow cooler air into your home.

If you don't have AC and aren't able to make your own unit or you still get overheated in your home, head to places that do have air conditioning or cooling centers. These include community centers, shopping malls and libraries.

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