DIY Swamp Cooler – Stay Cool With a Budget-Friendly Solution

Evaporative cooling is popular in dry western climates because it’s cheaper to run than air conditioning. This type of cooler also adds moisture to the air, making it better for sinuses and allergies.

Keep your swamp cooler working its best by replacing cooling pads and cleaning the water tank on a regular basis. Moisture can build up over time, causing your swamp cooler to stop working.

1. Build a Bucket

A swamp cooler (also known as evaporative cooling) is a cheap and easy way to keep cool during hot weather. It uses a fan and water to cool the air through the process of water evaporation, which is much cheaper than other cooling methods.

To build your DIY swamp cooler, you’ll need a bucket or container with a capacity of at least five gallons and a small fan. You’ll also need ice, water, and a towel-sized piece of breathable cloth.

To prepare the bucket, remove the lid and cut a circle of holes into it. Make sure that the hole is the right size to fit your fan. You can use a drill or razor for harder materials; a knife will work for foam.

2. Add a Fan

Swamp coolers cool the air by blowing air over a pad that is saturated with water. They require much less energy than air conditioners, which use refrigerants and compressors to operate. They also are better for people who suffer from sinus issues or allergies, because they do not dry out the air.

This DIY swamp cooler by [Figjam] uses a small fan that attaches to the back of a 5-gallon bucket, which is surrounded by swamp cooling pads. A submersible pump drips water on the swamp cooling pads, and the fan sucks air up through the damp matting to cool it.

Strip the wires from the PC fan to expose a 1/3” of copper core, then connect them to each other with butt connectors (they look like this). You will need two positive and one negative for this project.

3. Add Ice

Unlike air conditioners that use compressed gases and refrigerants to cool the air, swamp coolers only use water to cool the air. This makes them less expensive to operate and more environmentally friendly.

Swamp coolers also tend to be more gentle on the sinuses and nasal passages than air conditioning units. This can be especially beneficial for people with allergies and sinus issues.

To use your DIY swamp cooler, place it in front of a window and fill the bucket with water until it’s about halfway full. Then, add ice. When the float inside the swamp cooler reaches a certain level, it will activate the pump and begin pushing water through the evaporative pads in the swamp cooler. The water will evaporate when it passes through the evaporative pads, cooling the air and circulating it throughout your home.

4. Add a Vent

Swamp coolers, which use a fan to pull air across ice or water for evaporative cooling, are a great alternative to traditional cooling options like AC. They use less electricity, and they are more environmentally friendly. They can also be used in a smaller space and are easier to clean than air conditioners.

A swamp cooler can help you stay cool during the summer, but it is important to remember that it only works in a small space and can take some time to warm up. The best way to make it more effective is to place it where it will be blowing air directly on you. You can also add some plants to the area that help with humidity to reduce moisture in the air.

5. Add a Cover

Swamp coolers don’t use compressors or refrigerants to cool air, which can be expensive. Instead, they rely on the power of the fan, a pump, and water to keep you cool.

This type of swamp cooler is not as effective as an AC, but it can be a great way to stay cool during the heat wave. It’s also easy to make, and can help you save money on energy bills.

Once you’ve drilled the ventilation holes, cover the bucket with a piece of cloth. The cloth should be properly sized and trimmed so it fits well over the holes. Then, fill the bucket with water and ice. Finally, plug in the fan and turn on the swamp cooler! You’re ready to enjoy some cool air.