This swamp cooler will provide quick spot-cooling while you’re working or relaxing.
Most DIY swamp coolers are used like fans for spot-cooling rather than for cooling entire spaces.
Safety Considerations
Plug the fan and the submersible pump into aGFCI outletonly.
Icy Macload / Getty Images
Do not rely on a DIY swamp cooler orwindow fanto provide safety during extreme heat.
Awindow-unit air conditioneris a better option for this.
This one-hour project costs $20 to $30.
Keep the holes within 4 inches of each other so that they point in the same general direction.
Drill the Holes on the Bucket
Attach the 2-inch hole saw to the drill.
Drill three 2-inch holes on the side of the bucket.
Cut the PVC Pipe
Cut the PVC pipe into three sections, each section 4 inches long.
Clean off the PVC burrs with the utility knife.
Attach the Pipes
Insert one of the PVC pipes in a hole.
Add silicone caulk where the pipe contacts the bucket to hold the pipe in place.
Repeat for the other two holes.
Cut out the circle with the utility knife.
Attach the Fan to the Lid
Place the fan on the lid, resting in the hole.
The fan must be placed so that it will bepointing downinto the bucket.
Drill three half-inch holes equidistant around the perimeter of the fan guard.
Attach the fan to the lid with the zip-ties and snip off the excess.
If the fan is attached to a stand, you’ll need to detach the fan from the stand.
Only the fan is needed.
Fill the Bucket
Fill the bucket about half-full with water or with ice.
Attach the Lid to the Bucket
Snap the lid tightly on the bucket.
Plug in the fan and turn it on.
Thebest portable fanwill have a detachable stand and a long-lasting rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
Inside the bucket, a submersible pump drips water on a cooler pad.
This two-hour project costs $50 to $60.
Add Water to the Bucket
Add water to the bucket until it is halfway full.
The waterline will provide a reference point for the air intake holes.
Drill Air Intake Holes on the Bucket
Attach the 2-inch hole saw to the drill.
Drill holes on the side of the bucket, remaining about 1-inch above the waterline.
Drill as many holes as possible, keeping the holes about 1 to 2 inches away from each other.
Place the Cooler Pad in the Bucket
Dispose of the water and wipe out the bucket.
Wrap the cooler pad in a circle on the inside of the bucket.
With the indelible marker, mark a 6-1/2-inch diameter circle on the lid.
Cut out the circle with the utility knife.
Rest the fan in the hole in the lid.
The fan must be placed so that it will bepointing upwardfrom the bucket.
Drill three 1/2-inch holes around the fan guard.
Secure the fan to the lid with the zip-ties.
Snip off the excess.
Place the Pump in the Bucket
Attach the 1/4-inch tubing to the submersible pump.
Place the pump at the bottom of the bucket.
Leave about 1-foot of excess tubing at the end of the circle.
Attach the tube to the top of the cooler pad with three or four zip-ties.
Pierce the cooler pad with the utility knife, then slide the zip-tie through.
Let the excess tubing drop into the bucket.
Pierce the Tubing
With the tack, piece holes in the tubing along the circle.
Place one hole every 1-inch.
The holes should be on the side of the tubing.
Plug the pump into a GFCI outlet.
If the tubing isn’t dripping water, shut off the end of the tubing with a small clamp.
Add the Lid
Snap the lid onto the top of the bucket.
Turn on the fan.
One drawback of evaporative cooling is that it creates humid air.
This renders evaporative cooling ineffective in humid conditions.
Another drawback is that evaporative cooling has a limited cooling range.
You should not use evaporative cooling in humid conditions.
Evaporative cooling will only add to the discomfort by increasing the humidity level.
A swamp cooler and an evaporative cooler are the same thing.
Evaporative coolers work best in the dry areas of the U.S.U.S.
Geological Survey
ECM: Space Heating & Cooling / H11.
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Evaporative Cooling.U.S.
