Summer is fast approaching and contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to spend a lot to stay cool and comfortable in your home.
There are a number of high-efficiency, DIY methods that can get the job done.
“Things like curtains, sealing gaps, and ventilating strategically are hard to beat—they rarely cost you more than $100, and many of them are free,” says Glenn Gault, CEO at Gault Heating & Cooling in Hubbard, OH.
By exploring budget-friendly cooling strategies before summer hits—including building your own AC—you can beat the heat without spending thousands to replace your HVAC system.
Turn everyday household items into an AC unit
Fortunately, you can construct your own AC unit without buying anything fancy.
While it won’t be a true air conditioner, it’s a simple, low-cost way to make your space feel cooler.
It can also come in handy if your AC is out, you’re dealing with a smaller space that doesn’t get much airflow, or you’re just trying to cut back on running your AC all the time, especially in the summer.
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Start with either a Styrofoam cooler or a plastic 5-gallon bucket with a lid.
“Cut 2 or 3 holes in one side. If you’re using a Styrofoam cooler, a knife will work, but if you’re using a bucket, a hole saw will make the job much easier,” says Jordan Benjamin, owner and president of Done Rite Services in Tucson, AZ.
Then, insert a 3- to 4-inch length of PVC pipe into each of those holes. If the PVC doesn’t fit snugly, you can tape or glue it in place.
Next, place a small portable fan on the lid of your “AC” and trace around it. Carefully cut out that section and place your fan facedown in the hole. You can tape it in place if you like.
Lastly, place a couple of frozen water bottles inside, turn on your fan, and you’re good to go.
“I’ve seen a couple of different versions, such as placing the vent holes on top alongside the fan and using dryer vents instead of PVC or using Solo cups instead of PVC on the sides of a foam cooler,” Benjamin explains.
However you decide to do it, rest assured the cooling effect will be about the same.
Also, if you want to go all out with a bucket AC, you could run car door edge trim around your cut holes to create a tight fit. You could also place a foam bucket liner into your bucket.
“Foam is a great insulator, so this will prevent your frozen bottles from melting too quickly,” adds Benjamin.
Alternative DIY solutions to consider
It doesn’t take much time, effort, or money to improve your home’s efficiency and reduce your reliance on air conditioning. Here are a few pro tips to put on your radar:
Seal air leaks
First, focus on blocking the heat before it makes its way into your house.
Even small gaps around doors, windows, or outlets let hot air creep in all day and increase the temperature indoors.
“Use caulk to seal gaps and cracks and buy new rubber weatherstripping to replace compressed seals around the doorframe—doing this will help you maintain cooler temperatures inside,” explains Gault.
Use thick curtains
Curtains make a huge difference when they cover the whole windowpane and you close them when it’s sunny outside.
If you have thin curtains, consider upgrading them to thicker ones. Doing so will prevent solar rays from entering through windows, especially those on the south or west-facing sides of your home.
“Standard blackout curtains or even thick blinds with multiple layers can reduce indoor temps by around 2 to 5 degrees, while thermal curtains can reduce it by 5 to 10 degrees,” says Gault.
Open windows
If you don’t want to go the thick curtain route, leave your windows open instead but be strategic about it.
“Cross-ventilation through your windows is the only way to ventilate your home correctly in hot weather. This is how you move warm indoor air out and pull fresh outdoor air in,” Gault explains.
Open windows on opposite sides, on different floors if possible, and do it at night or in the morning.
Try night flushing
Night flushing is a great strategy that's completely free and super easy. You open windows at night and use fans to push out all the built-up heat from the day.
“If you use ceiling fans, set them counterclockwise, but if you use the tower or box fan, place it facing out the window. Then, close everything up early in the morning to trap that cooler air inside before it starts heating up again,” says Gault.
Avoid heat-producing appliances during the day
Cooking with ovens, running dishwashers, and using clothes dryers all generate indoor heat.
“To limit heat buildup, cook early in the morning or use stovetops, microwaves, or outdoor grills. Shifting laundry and dishwashing tasks to the evening can also help keep the home cooler and potentially lower energy use,” explains Lisa Shavers, general manager of HVAC and plumbing at Oncourse Home Solutions in Naperville, IL.
Insulate walls
Insulate the walls that are exposed to direct sunlight to prevent heat transfer into your home.
“If your walls contain cavities, the easiest way to insulate them is through blown-in insulation because you don’t have to open them up. Simply drill small holes and fill the cavities with the insulation,” Gault explains.
Wall insulation is a more expensive upgrade and will cost you a few thousand dollars, but it will save you money year-round and in some cases keep your home cool without AC.
DIY fixes vs. standard window units
The most significant difference between DIY cooling methods and a standard window AC unit comes down to energy use versus cooling power.
“A standard AC unit uses about 500 to 1,500 watts per hour, depending on size and efficiency. This can increase an electric bill if it runs continuously,” says Brian White, commercial president at Accurate Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing in Lancaster, OH.
DIY methods, however, are extremely low cost (usually no more than $100) and the only ongoing expense comes from running a ceiling fan, which is roughly 50 to 100 watts.
The downside, however, is that these methods don’t actually remove any heat or humidity the way an AC unit does. If you live in an area with high heat or humidity conditions, they can only go so far.
While wall insulation is one of the most expensive upgrades, it works year-round, reducing your heating and cooling bills, and sometimes it even eliminates the need for AC. Therefore, it’s worth considering if other options don’t work.
“Overall, the best way to manage heat while still keeping the energy bill low is to implement a hybrid approach. Pair low-cost methods to reduce heat gain and improve airflow with your AC so your system runs less frequently. You’ll be able to keep your home cool and prevent a big spike in your energy bills,” White says.
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