Battling heat with air conditioning can get expensive quickly, but there are ways to save on those costs thanks to some clever DIY ideas. 

The scoop

On TikTok, Kate (@kotentkate54) shared her simple hack to keep her home cool with only one AC unit.

@kontentkate54 Welcome to A/C for the Emotionally Resilient 😅 Just me, some ice packs, an aluminum tray, a fan from 2006, and a dream 💨❄️ Is it real air conditioning? No. Does it make me feel like a genius? Absolutely. #DIYAC #BrokeAndInnovative #FanOnlyVibes #IceColdSolutions #TikTokMadeMeDoIt #NoACClub #SurvivalModeActivated #ColdAirChaos #BudgetCooling #GhettoFabulousEngineering ♬ original sound - kontentkate54

In the video, she explained she has an AC unit in her bedroom, which doesn't quite reach her living room, so she put together a fan with a tray full of ice packs behind it, resulting in it "blowing some really cold air."

Whether she realized it or not, she essentially made a "swamp cooler," or evaporative cooler, which works by air over cool water (or ice in this case), which evaporates and can cool the temperature by 15 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit before it goes into the space, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

The DOE did note that they work best in low-humidity climates, something to consider when making your own or purchasing a professionally made unit. 

How it's helping

Summer may have technically come to an end, but there's still plenty of heat to contend with depending on the time of year or where you live.

Swamp coolers are a lower-cost way to cool your home during heat waves, especially when you DIY them. The cost of running a fan is much lower than a full air conditioning unit or central air system, and you can reuse ice packs like the TikToker demonstrated, or freeze and refreeze the water used in the tray that doesn't evaporate.

Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shared by CNET show that running an air conditioner adds an average of $437.50 to utility bills every year, which adds up when you factor in other things like maintenance and repair. As for purchasing a manufactured evaporative cooler, Inside Climate News reported that they are 25-50% more efficient than traditional air conditioning units.

To save money further, you might consider installing solar panels. They can help bring your energy costs down to at or near $0, making them the ultimate home energy hack. EnergySage is a great resource, offering a free service that makes it easy to compare quotes from vetted local installers that will help you save up to $10,000 on solar installations. 

If you'd rather lease the panels, check out Palmetto's LightReach solar leasing program. They offer solar installations for zero dollars down and can help you power your home with the sun without a massive investment.

An improved HVAC system is also an important element to further save money. Upgrading to a heat pump system can help save nearly $400 a year on energy costs. Mitsubishi can help find the right affordable option for your home.

How much do you run your AC during the summer? Constantly 🫠 Most of the day 😓 Only during peak heat 😤 Hardly at all 😎 Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

What everyone's saying

People in the comments were into the creator's simple idea.

"I love this bestie! I need to try this!" one person wrote. 

Another person had an extra recommendation to "also get a styrofoam cooler and tape it to the back after adding ice," something they said they did when they were growing up.

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