This project is my dad's $10 solution to a $500 solution to a $25,000 problem. As I have previously mentioned around the site, my Dad owns an electric 1979 Ford Courier pickup, and is cool enough to let me drive it around. We absolutely love it, and wouldn't trade it for a Tesla Roadster, but one of the few problems with electric cars is heating and cooling. In a gas car, heat is provided by the 80% of the gas that is wasted as heat, and air conditioning is provided by a crankshaft-driven compressor system. Many EVs use hair dryer elements and fans for heat, and some, ours included, feature a powerful gasoline-burning heater. (Update from 4-22-08: I'd forgotten that I mentioned the gas heater on here. Last fall the gas tank and heater were removed, and a ceramic heater was built in. It works great, although not quite as fast, and doesn't use gas.) However, air conditioning is trickier because the shaft of an electric motor doesn't always spin. Some have used a compressor driven by the motor shaft anyway, while others have turned a compressor using a separate motor.

Finally, my dad came up with part of the concept for this system. It pumps ice water through an evaporator core, which has fans that blow air through it. It is very simple, but we found what we were looking for at Sporty's Pilot Shop. They sell air conditioners built into ice chests for prices ranging from $475 for a basic model to $625 for a 24V, dual fan model.There is also an ArcticAir unit for $4750 with a full compressor unit. However, we like our $10 version better. I saw the ArcticAir display at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh this summer, and our unit is more compact and puts out cooler air. All you need is materials, basic construction/assembly and wiring skills, and a bag of ice. Update, 5-12-08: 100,003 views! I'm no Kipkay, but I'm still proud.Step 1: Background and How it WorksShow All Items« PreviousNext »View All Steps Download Pro Football Fan Shop G.I.L.I. got it love it Joan Rivers Classics Collection Linea by Louis Dell'Olio Liz Claiborne New York

LOGO by Lori Goldstein Laptop Bags & Cases View All Tech Cases & Accessories Dooney Sports Collegiate Collection Dooney Sports MLB Collection Dooney Sports NFL Collection My Saint My Hero WEN by Chaz Dean GPS Navigation & Car Tech Cases & Accessories Beats by Dr. Dre Home Projects & Tools All For The Home Clearance ED On Air by Ellen DeGeneres In the Kitchen with David Fitness Equipment & DVDs Health & Fitness Clearance Sunny Health & Fitness View All Pro Football Current Item On Air Items Recently On Air Watch QVC TV Live Head to our homepage.Use our "search" box above.If you think the error's on us, tell us by leaving feedback.If you have forced-air cooling but there's still a room that's hotter than all the rest, a duct or vent booster fan can increase the flow of cool air into that room. Two types of booster fans are available. An in-line duct booster fan fits inside the duct of the room you're trying to cool.

You mount the fan near the outlet and it automatically kicks on when your cooling system runs.how long does it take to thaw an ac unit Vent and register booster fans sit directly on top of or replace ceiling, floor or wall registers. air handling unit air conditioning systemDepending on the model, you can set it to operate automatically, control it with a switch or operate it by a remote control.air conditioner and heater canada - Easy to install and use.In-line duct booster fans are available in both plug-in and hard-wired models and retail for $30 to $150. Vent and register booster units plug into a nearby electrical outlet or can be hard-wired. Register and vent duct booster fans cost $40 to $100.

- Less powerful (and cheaper) in-line units have a lighter-gauge housing that is more prone to rattling.- Duct or vent booster fans may not make a significant cooling difference if your ductwork or overall cooling system is inefficient, sized improperly or faulty. Search online for “in-line duct booster fan” or “register duct booster fan” to find dealers. (These fans can also be used to increase the flow of warm air through ducts during the winter months.) Heating, Cooling & Air Quality> Keep cool all summer long with air conditioning units from hhgregg. We carry both portable and window air conditioners so you can find the best one for your favorite room. Air conditioners can help your family stay comfortable and are essential in homes with children, older adults and anyone else who needs to beat the heat during the summer months. Browse our online selection to find the perfect room air conditioner from brands like Frigidaire, Honeywell, LG and more. Or, visit your local hhgregg to check out your options where one of our sales associates will help you find the right air conditioning unit for you.

And don't forget to check out our air conditioning tips and types of AC units for ways to use your AC in the most affordable and effective way. More than just air conditioning units hhgregg has you covered all summer long. Check out our selection of grills for the ultimate backyard barbecue, and enjoy summer nights at home with our range of patio furniture. You can even turn your deck or patio into your new favorite room with an outdoor TV. Shop today and save! What Air Conditioner Do I Need For My Walk-In Cooler?There are 3 elements to consider: A/C Size in BTUs Unit type – window unit or mini split. Please note A/Cs must have digital controls to work with the CoolBot.PACs typically fall in the middle ground compared with the costs of other cooling options. Portable air conditioners offer a distinct alternative to complex HVAC systems and basic cooling fans. These self-contained, mobile systems cater to spaces ranging in size from dens to garages, provided you have a nearby window through which to vent hot air.

Like any electric cooling solution, however, the benefits provided by PACs come at a cost. The impact your PAC has on your electricity bill depends on the size of the unit, your utility provider's rate and other factors. Energy Estimates Portable air conditioners range from compact, rolling boxes to mini-fridge-size towers. Likewise, they vary greatly in energy ratings, which are measured in British thermal unit, the amount of energy needed to cool or heat one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. This measurement translates to how much heat your PAC can remove from the room each hour. Especially compact PACs cool about 150 square feet and feature a BTU rating of about 7,500. Mid-range models cool about 300 square feet and output 10,000 BTUs while the largest PACs cover roughly 500 square feet and run at 14,000 BTUs. Converting Energy to Cents Converting BTUs to kilowatt-hours, a measurement equal to one kilowatt of power consumption per hour, you'll find that a 7,500-BTU PAC consumes about 2.2 kWh, a 10,000-BTU unit 2.9 kWh, and a 14,000-BTU unit 4.1 kWh.

As of 2014, the U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates that one kilowatt-hour of energy usage costs about 16.18 cents in California, for instance. At this rate, running a small, medium or large PAC for eight hours a day would cost roughly $2.84, $3.75 or $5.31, respectively. For 30 days of use, these figures come to $85.20, $112.50 and $159.30. Considering the Variables In addition to BTU ratings and hours of use, location plays a major role in PAC operating cost; for example, the EIA estimates that electricity costs 21.75 cents per kWh in New York, 9.78 cents in Tennessee and 12.74 cents in the District of Columbia, with a national average of 11.88 cents. A longer hose causes your PAC to use more energy, as it diverts hot air through the length of the hose. Similarly, MSN Real Estate estimates that a 10-year-old air conditioner is only about half as efficient as a newly purchased unit. In Comparison According to 2013 reports from the “Rapid City Journal,” running a portable air conditioner uses as little as one-eighth of the electricity required to run a central air-conditioning unit, which roughly translates to one-eighth of the cost, as well.

Unlike central cooling, which cools the entire house, PACs cool only one room at a time. In 2013, Home Energy Pros -- “Home Energy” magazine's website -- noted that PACs offer roughly half the cooling power of window air conditioners. Duke Energy estimates that ceiling fans consume about 23.4 kWh per month, placing them at an average operating cost of only $2.78 per month, according to EIA's 2014 national averages. However, ceiling fans only provide a breeze; they do not actually cool air. References Sylvane: Knowledge Center: Portable Air Conditioners Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)U.S. Energy Information Administration Independent Statistics and Analysis: Electric Power Monthly: Table 5.6.A. Average Retail Price of Electricity to Ultimate Customers by End-Use Sector, by State, February 2014 and 2013 (Cents per Kilowatt-hour)Rapid City Journal: Is a Portable AC Unit Cheaper Than Central Air?Duke Energy: Electric Appliance Operating Cost ListHome Energy Pros: Warnings About Portable Air ConditionersMSN Real Estate: 27 Cheap Ways to Keep Your House Cooler Photo Credits Polka Dot Images/Polka Dot/Getty Images Suggest a Correction