The summer heat can cause a bad mood, since fatigue and overheating are not good for the body. To make hot summer days a joy, you can buy an air conditioner, or even better, make it yourself. Moreover, there is nothing difficult about it. To do this you will need an old unnecessary refrigerator. Many will immediately wonder how to make an air conditioner out of a refrigerator, what is needed for this and why is it necessary if you can go and buy this thing.
In order to do this or that thing you need to know its operating principle. Without this knowledge, it is difficult to imagine a diagram of a future product that will be assembled by hand.
Operating principle of the air conditioner
In order to make an air conditioner from a refrigerator, you need to understand general principle operation of air conditioning systems. If you remember physics, the principle of operation of any air conditioner will be immediately clear: the liquid, evaporating, absorbs heat. When it comes into contact with the skin, you can feel the coolness. Conversely, when condensation occurs, heat is released.
The air conditioner is a sealed box in which a specific substance moves - a refrigerant, the main agent of which is freon gas. The refrigerant takes heat from the room and, after compression occurs, releases it in the form of condenser liquid.
The refrigerant exchanges heat with air using heat exchangers - these are small copper pipes that are equipped with thin intersecting aluminum plates. To increase the speed of the heat exchange process between the refrigerant and heat exchangers, air is circulated using fans. If you look at the process, you can understand why these two elements are called a condenser and an evaporator. When the air conditioner cools the room, the evaporator performs its functions in indoor unit, which is located indoors, and the capacitor is located outside. When an air conditioner is used as a heater, these processes are reversed.
But what is the trick here?
But the fact is that cold itself is not generated, but heat is transported from one point to another using a refrigerant. This is where the name “heat pump” came from.
The principle of operation of a refrigerator is similar to that of an air conditioner. It also has a closed circuit in which the processes of evaporation and condensation of the processed heat take place. The refrigerant also plays a major role in the operation of the refrigerator.
Refrigerant circuit transport scheme: Thanks to high blood pressure When the compressor operates, the refrigerant gas is pushed into the condenser, where it undergoes its physical changes. The refrigerant changes its gas state to liquid. After which heat begins to be released. Many people have probably noticed that with back side refrigerator, you can feel the circulation of warm air.
In order for the liquid refrigerant to be converted back into gas, it must travel through a capillary tube. The passage of refrigerant liquid through this tube incurs a loss of pressure that was produced by the compressor. After the refrigerant liquid has been able to squeeze through, it enters the evaporator, where it boils.
The evaporator is connected by tubes to the freezer. This is the center of the generated cold. This is where the cold air is distributed along the walls of the refrigeration unit. And the refrigerant has no choice but to return to the compressor, where the procedure will be repeated.
Old refrigerator - a find for craftsmen
An old refrigerator is a unit from which DIYers can create many useful things. For example, a smokehouse for meat and fish dishes, a doghouse, a cabinet for garage tools, a compressor for rocking car wheels, and also make your own air conditioner.
Advantages of a homemade air conditioner:
- Significant savings in the family budget
- You can create comfortable conditions in country houses, since it is not advisable to install an expensive air conditioner in them, because when the winter months come, the owners leave for the city, and the air conditioner can become the prey of thieves.
- Positive emotions from something made with your own hands.
- New experience and gaining knowledge on how to make an air conditioner from a refrigerator.
- There is no need for expensive maintenance and preventive maintenance.
- Creating a comfortable atmosphere using air cooling.
- Increased performance, everyone knows that the heat tires you out very quickly. And the cool air invigorates and makes you feel more energetic.
- There is no need to buy or change filters, since the refrigerator air conditioner does not provide them.
The process of converting a refrigerator into an air conditioner
In order to get started, you should stock up on some tools that you will need in your work; all these things are very affordable and are sold in any construction supermarket.
- Household jigsaw. With it you can easily do figure cutting on a metal base. Which will be very useful when you need to make your own air conditioner.
- An old refrigerator or freezer, but always in working order. If you don’t have your own, then you can place an ad in a newspaper or on the Internet saying that such a refrigerator is required. Most people do not know how to dispose of such large items and will only be glad to get rid of old trash. Another option is to find a cheap refrigerator from an ad.
- Sewer pipe, it is best to choose a corrugated pipe, since its weight will be much less than that of other pipes made of a different material.
- Insulation insulation or polyurethane foam.
- Fans (two pieces) to create air flows
Air conditioner manufacturing process
Making an air conditioner will not be difficult at all, and step by step instructions will help in this matter.
First of all, cut a round opening in the freezer or refrigerator door using a household jigsaw. The round opening should have a diameter of about one hundred millimeters. The rubber seal is removed from the bottom. This is required in order to ensure free access to air.
In the made round opening, insert a round sewer pipe. In order to maintain a tight seal, it should be wrapped with insulating insulation or foamed with foam. After which the fan is installed.
For blowing refrigeration compressor You will also need to install a fan.
The pipe is placed inside the house.
Another way to make an air conditioner using a radiator from a refrigerator
In order to make your own air conditioner, you should use a four-row radiator from an old refrigerator and hood.
The installation sequence is as follows: The radiator must be installed from the rear side of the hood. This is done so that the hood can draw air flow through the radiator. Accordingly, when the hood is operating, the air will come out cooled. You can secure them using homemade stands. You need to place any tray under your homemade air conditioner to collect liquid (condensation). When the tray is filled with condensate, it must be emptied. This can be done by drying an ordinary rag or simply scooping it out with a ladle.
After connecting the hood to the radiator, you need to connect two hoses, one of which will go to the sink, and the other from the plumbing system.
The principle of operation of a homemade air conditioner is that air masses are blown through a radiator through which the air flows. tap water. It will be ideal if the water used is from a well or a cooled well. Apartment water that runs through a regular water supply system will not be very effective in cooling the room.
Conclusion
Thus, it is clear that there is nothing difficult to do with your own hands, as it would seem, such a complex technique. You just need to understand the principles of operation of the air conditioner and refrigerator. And stock up on the necessary tools and then making an air conditioner with your own hands will be a pleasant experience.
The operating principle of condensing equipment is based on changing state of aggregation working fluid, depending on pressure and temperature in a closed cycle. At the same time, the condenser transforms the freon gas into liquid, and the evaporator-suspension into gas. As a rule, to transfer heat, the air conditioner expends the electricity required to operate the compressor shaft. At the same time, the engine, creating pressure differences, forces the working fluid to forcibly circulate in the system. And the fluid released due to air cooling thermal energy, is taken outside the premises.
If the device operates in cooling mode, the refrigerant gradually evaporates in the heat exchanger of the indoor unit. At the same time, freon condenses in the outdoor module.
As a rule, the exchange of thermal energy and air occurs using copper heat exchangers. To speed up this process, they often use ventilation devices. In addition, by passing air flow between the heat exchanger and the refrigerant, these mechanisms prevent overheating of the condensing device.
To maintain the required pressure in the system, the air conditioner is equipped with a special throttle.
When the unit operates in cooling mode, the above process occurs in its internal module. However, if the device is turned on for heating, the air conditioner performs the functions of a heater. At the same time, the above processes occur in external unit device.
The principle of operation of the refrigerator
It is worth noting that the operation of refrigeration and condensation equipment is based on identical operating principles.
As a rule, a freezing unit is equipped with special tubes through which refrigerant flows. The working fluid, passing through the evaporator, is converted into gas. At the same time, the resource, taking away heat, reduces the air temperature. The cooled air flow, with the help of ventilation devices, is distributed throughout the chamber. After this, the gas enters the compressor, where it is compressed.
In a liquefied state, the substance is supplied to the condenser. At the same time, the external fan cools the pipe, after which the substance condenses and transforms into liquid. As a result of this, there is a release large quantity heat that is removed to environment. In addition, the working fluid, passing through the heat control valve, is cooled due to a decrease in pressure. Once the temperature inside refrigeration chamber has reached the set limit, the device automatically switches off. Then, when the sensor signals a change in the set value, the refrigerator turns on again.
As a rule, this device operates in cyclic mode.
Tools and materials for making an air conditioner
Remember, before creating a homemade air conditioner, you should prepare in advance all the necessary means and tools.
To manufacture the structure you will need the following equipment and materials:
- - a household electric jigsaw, for making shaped cuts on metal;
- - old refrigerator;
- - sewer corrugated pipe large diameter;
- - polyurethane foam;
- - special insulation;
- - insulating material;
- - two fans.
As a rule, ventilation devices must be freely located inside drainage pipe. That is why, when purchasing fans, you should give preference to mechanisms of small diameter.
Only after preparing the above products can you begin to build an air conditioning device.
Unit creation process
Remember, to make a cooling system, you should use a working freezer.
Algorithm for creating an air conditioner from a refrigerator.
Cut a small opening in the refrigerator door. In this case, the hole diameter should be no more than 100 mm. As a rule, this procedure performed using a jigsaw.
Remember, the opening should be located opposite freezer.
Remove the rubber seal. Performing this action will ensure a constant flow of air inside the condensation chamber.
Insert a corrugated sewer pipe into the completed opening.. In this case, you must first place a small fan in the hose.
Seal the drainage tube. To do this, you should lay a special insulation around the hose. In addition, it is permissible to seal the structure using polyurethane foam.
Install a second fan. As a rule, this mechanism is mounted on the compressor blower.
Exit the pipe indoors.
In addition to the above-described scheme for manufacturing an air conditioner, there is alternative method building structures from a refrigerator.
At the same time, the body homemade device is the freezer. The principle of operation of such an air conditioner is to pass air flow through a radiator in which tap water circulates. To create a homemade unit, you need a four-row radiator from an old freezer and a refrigeration hood.
How to assemble a homemade air conditioner
Install a radiator on the back of the hood. At the same time, exhaust device promotes the passage of air flow through the heat exchanger, resulting in its cooling.
Connect two hoses to the radiator. As a rule, one of them is connected to the sink, and the second to the water supply network.
Install a pallet under the designed structure. As a rule, a container is needed to collect condensation liquid. At the same time, its filling level should be constantly monitored.
If water from a well or well is used as a coolant, due to the low temperature of the liquid, the air passed through such a radiator will be significantly cooled.
Air conditioning from a portable refrigerator
As a rule, when operating an air conditioner made from a refrigerator, there is a significant waste of water and electricity. Therefore, in some cases, it is advisable to build an air conditioning unit on the basis of an old portable refrigerator.
In addition to the above materials and tools, to manufacture the unit you will additionally need: a radiator and submersible pump.
To create mobile air conditioner you need to do the following:
- - install a radiator into the body of a portable refrigerator;
- - connect a submersible pump (machine or aquarium) to the bottom of the prepared container;
- - ensure that the compressor wires are brought out;
- - do with inside lids, square hole;
- - make two round openings on the outer edge of the refrigerator for installing fans;
- - secure the radiator in the refrigerator body using silicone;
- - connect the radiator inlet and the pump outlet;
- - put a hose on the heat exchanger pipe to eliminate the noise that occurs during operation of the device.
Before launch homemade design, the refrigerator container should be filled with ice.
After turning on the unit, under the influence of the pump, cold water into the radiator. At the same time, the ventilation mechanism ensures the supply of cooled air into the room.
Homemade air conditioner– is this a myth or reality? How good is such a device? How to make your own air conditioner? In this article, we will answer the above questions by examining several designs of homemade air conditioning units that operate with the same efficiency as industrial air conditioners.
DIY air conditioner
How does the air conditioner work?
A typical climate control system consists of the following elements:
- Radiator-cooler , which lowers the air temperature due to the evaporation of the refrigerant.
- Injection unit – fan pumping warm air to the cooler.
- Radiator-condenser , which condenses refrigerant vapor and releases the energy of warm air into the atmosphere.
- Compressor , pumping refrigerant from the cooler to the condenser.
The essence of the air conditioner is to absorb the energy of warm air by evaporating refrigerant. The continuity of the process of evaporation of the refrigerant is ensured by a compressor, with the help of which the circulation of the medium is looped, and a condenser, which condenses the gaseous refrigerant vapor.
How to make an air conditioner with your own hands?
A homemade menopausal unit can be constructed using just two components of a classic air conditioner:
- Cooling unit , lowering the air temperature.
- Pressure block , ensuring the distribution of the cooled environment throughout the room.
Other components of the design can be discarded as unnecessary. After all, the condensation unit and compressor play only a supporting role, ensuring the continuity of the air conditioner operation.
True without a condenser and compressor homemade installation will only work as long as the temperature of the cooling block is less temperature cooled air. Therefore, during operation, the owner of a homemade air conditioner will have to solve the problem of restoring the low temperature of the cooler. And in most cases, this problem is solved by physically replacing the contents of the cooling unit.
Three design options for homemade air conditioners
Based on the above diagram, you can actually make an air conditioner with your own hands. After all, you don’t have to deal with volatile refrigerant, a sealed circulation system for this substance, and a complex compressor. All you need is cold, air flow and creative idea. And further in the texts we will analyze three ideas for building highly efficient homemade air conditioners. So, meet:
Option one: ice + draft
In this case, the role of the cooling block is played by a plastic bottle with frozen water. And a regular fan is used as a blower unit.
Example of an air conditioner made from ice bottles and a fan
A lightweight version of this “air conditioner” involves placing the bottle on the table, in front of the fan blades. A more advanced version includes a wire basket attached to the fan grille. A bottle of frozen water fits into this basket.
A more advanced version of this “air conditioner” involves replacing plastic bottle“cold accumulator” - a container with a special liquid that is used in cooler bags. The effectiveness of such an air conditioning system depends on the volume of the ice container.
Therefore, the maximum performance of a homemade air conditioner built on the basis of this idea is ensured by the following assembly diagram:
- Taken plastic container as large a volume as possible, equipped with a sealed or tightly fitting lid.
- Two holes are cut in the lid - the first larger diameter, matching the dimensions protective grille fan, the second - with a diameter of 50 or 100 millimeters.
- An angle fitting of 50 or 100 millimeters is installed in the second hole, as a result of which an L-shaped outlet will appear above the cover.
- A fan is mounted in the first hole, fixing the grille to the cover with self-tapping screws.
- Bottles of frozen water, crushed ice or cold accumulators are placed in a sealed tray container.
As a result, the fan will “pull” warm air through the ice-filled container, blowing a cool stream through the corner fitting. Moreover, if the body is thermally insulated, the ice will melt very slowly, providing cooling for a fairly large room throughout the day. Well, at night you can freeze a new portion of the cooler in the refrigerator.
The strength of this solution – low cost of construction.
Weakness – the need for too frequent restoration of “cold accumulators”
Option two: fan and cold water
In this case we again use a fan and water. But instead of a frozen static environment, we will use the low temperature of a dynamic flow flowing through the copper radiator grille.
Simply put: the fan will direct air to a coiled copper tube through which cold tap water will flow at a consistently low temperature - about 14-16 degrees Celsius. As a result, we will get an almost endless source of “cold” with a consistently low temperature.
Homemade air conditioner from a fan
However, you need to pay for water, and in order not to overload utility bills, we suggest using the following design option:
- Into the body plastic barrel, through the lid, two hoses are inserted - long and short.
- A compressor for the aquarium is fixed at the neck of the barrel, the suction pipe of which is connected to a long hose that goes down from the lid to the bottom of the barrel.
- A fan is attached to the lid of the barrel, on the grille of which a spiral of copper tube is fixed.
- One end of the spiral is connected to the pressure pipe of the compressor, and the second to a short hose immersed in the barrel to a quarter of its height.
- Connect to the end of the short hose check valve, eliminating the movement of water from the barrel to the hose.
By activating the compressor, we will fill the cooling coil on the fan grille cold water from the bottom layer of the barrel. Moreover, after passing through the spiral, this liquid will merge into top part, where it accumulates relatively warm water. As a result, only cold liquid will flow to the fan blades.
The strength of this design – duration and autonomy of work.
Weakness – the need to cool water in a barrel, which sooner or later will warm up to room temperature.
Option three: second life of an old refrigerator
This method of building an air conditioner is only suitable for experienced DIYers. Since the basis of the design of a homemade climate control system is in this case is regular refrigerator, which has its own cooling radiator - freezer, and refrigerant - freon, and radiator-condenser - grille on back wall, and even a compressor.
An old refrigerator will be useful for a homemade air conditioner
To build an air conditioner based on an old refrigerator, we will have to do the following:
- Remove the doors covering the refrigerator and freezer compartments.
- Very carefully, trying not to damage the walls of the freezer, install an electric fan in this area of the refrigerator.
- Drill a series of through holes in the sides of the case (in the lower part), with a diameter of at least 15 millimeters.
- Move the condenser grille outside the cooled room. To do this, just place the refrigerator in a door or window opening, sealing the space between the body and the edges of the opening with plastic film.
If the last step is not possible, then you will have to open the freon supply line and take only the radiator-condenser outside the house using copper tubes. However, after this you will have to pour a new portion of freon into the system.
Air conditioners help to withstand the heat well, but if there is no way to purchase them, and installation is impossible for reasons beyond your control, they can save you simple options air conditioners that anyone can assemble with their own hands. Their operating principle is elementary and is based on the use of fans.
Master class No. 1: DIY bucket air conditioner
This simple design will save you from indoor heat small area. The fan used in it will circulate cooled air. Details on how to make air conditioner from a bucket with your own hands in step-by-step instructions.
Materials
To work you will need:
- large plastic bucket with a lid;
- PVC pipes, diameter 3 cm;
- small portable fan;
- hacksaw;
- a canister of chilled water or ice;
- pencil;
- foam bucket.
- fan;
- screwdriver;
- scissors;
- packaging of cable ties;
- copper tubes;
- vinyl tubes;
- hose clamps;
- cooler;
- small pump with water cooling function.
- a small fan and a power supply for it;
- 5 liter plastic bottle;
- marker;
- camping mini-fridge;
- 12-volt fan;
- PVC elbow and adapter for it;
- power cord with cigarette lighter connector;
- plywood sheet;
- screws;
- hacksaw;
- roulette;
- sandpaper.
Step 1. Place the fan on the lid of the bucket and trace it around the outer edge with a pencil.
Step 2. Cut a hole in the bucket lid according to the marked line.
Step 3. Remove the fan feet. If, as in this case, they are not removable, cut them off with a hacksaw.
Step 4. Insert the fan into the lid of the bucket.
Step 5. On plastic and foam buckets, mark the points where there will be holes for the tubes that bring cooled air into the room.
Step 6. Drill holes at the designated points, selecting the size of the annular drill to match the diameter of the prepared PVC pipes.
Step 7. Slice PVC pipe into pieces 7–10 cm long.
Step 8. Insert the foam bucket into the plastic one and insert the prepared tubes into the holes.
Step 9. Round hole cut out a foam bucket under the fan and put it in the lid.
Step 10. Build a homemade air conditioner. To do this, place a canister of ice or very cool water into the already assembled base. Close the structure with lids and turn on the fan. Ready!
Master class No. 2: DIY home air conditioner
This simple fan will be a more durable option than the air conditioner from the previous tutorial. However, due to the use of a pump, the cost will be more expensive. Depending on the fan power, such home air conditioner, assembled with your own hands, can lower the air temperature even in a large room.
Materials
Before starting work, prepare:
Step 1. Take the copper tube. Roll it into a spiral shape, trying to distribute the turns evenly across the front of the fan grille. Secure the turns using cable ties.
Attach the vinyl tubing to the ends of the copper tubing. Fasten them well special clamps for hoses. Water will circulate through the tubes and it is important that the structure does not leak anywhere.
Step 2. Attach the tubes to the pump.
Step 3. Fill the cooler with water and connect the pump. Launch it. Let it run for 3 – 5 minutes to allow the circulating water to cool. After this you can turn on the fan. Pleasant coolness in the room is guaranteed.
Master class No. 3: DIY bottle conditioner
This DIY bottle air conditioner is a cheap and easy-to-make way to cool the air in a small room.
Materials
Before making the conditioner, prepare:
Step 1. Place the bottle on its side, attach a fan to it and draw a marker around its perimeter.
Step 2. Cut a hole along the marked lines.
Step 3. In the area of the lid, prepare another hole for air to escape.
Step 4. Insert the fan into the prepared hole and connect it.
Step 5. Fill the bottle with ice and turn on the fan. Ready!
Master class No. 4: DIY car air conditioner
If you spend a lot of time on the road and don’t have an air conditioner in your car or don’t want to run it all day long, you can use this simple version of an air conditioner in your car, which is not at all difficult to assemble with your own hands
Materials
You will need:
Step 1. You need to cut a lid for the refrigerator box from a sheet of plywood. It should close tightly.
Making an air conditioner from a refrigerator, and even with your own hands, solves three problems at once: cool down in the heat, save on purchases new technology and beautifully get rid of the old one. It’s especially nice that even a beginner who has a couple of hours of free time can handle the task.
Benefits of a homemade air conditioner
1. Refrigerator air conditioning saves a lot of money cash. This is especially important when neither the dollar exchange rate nor the Ukrainian salary contribute to a comfortable summer microclimate.
2. Allows you to create comfortable and cool conditions in rooms where you do not visit very often and where you install expensive independent air conditioner will be too expensive or impractical, for example, in the country, and possibly in the office.
3. By making an air conditioner from a refrigerator yourself, you save yourself from the need to decide on a model, resort to the help of professionals to install the unit, and you also a priori cease to need specialized maintenance and possible repairs technology.
4. There is no need to purchase and replace special filters, which are usually used in air conditioners and require replacement from time to time. (And this, by the way, costs a pretty penny). It’s just that the refrigerator simply does not provide such a detail as filters.
5. It’s pleasant to use cool air on a hot summer day, but receiving cold air from a device designed by yourself is doubly pleasant. In addition, you will always know the design of your air conditioner and if it breaks down, you can quickly fix it yourself.
How does an air conditioner work and how does it work?
The air conditioner works according to one of the well-known physical principles: due to liquid, which absorbs heat during evaporation. In fact, the air conditioner is a completely sealed box, the cooling inside of which occurs largely due to a special refrigerant (as a rule, the main component of the latter is freon gas). Everything is simple here: the refrigerant “pulls” heat from the room and inside the air conditioner compresses it and transforms it into condenser liquid.
In a refrigerator, refrigerant gas under pressure from the compressor is pushed into the condenser, where its gas state changes to liquid, and after that the process of heat release begins. Passing through a special capillary tube, the refrigerant gas returns to its gas state. During this process, the pressure created by the compressor is lost, and the remaining refrigerant liquid enters the evaporator and boils.
The corrector, in turn, is connected to, where the production of cold occurs. This is the center from which the cold is distributed along the inner walls of the refrigeration chamber. The refrigerant is returned to the compressor, after which the procedure with compression and evaporation is repeated in a circle.
Subsequent cooling of the air occurs using special copper tubes with thin aluminum plates. These tubes are called heat exchangers; with their help, the refrigerant exchanges air and, in fact, heat.
Tip: To speed up the process, the air inside the air conditioner is accelerated using small fans.
During air cooling, the evaporator in the indoor unit of the air conditioner performs its functions, while the condenser works outside. If the room needs to be heated, then the air conditioner and condenser simply change their tasks.
Each one has a similar principle of operation, only all the cooling does not go outside, but remains inside and cools the food products. Refrigerator and air conditioner work closed loop using warm air processed with refrigerant.
The process of converting a refrigerator into an air conditioner step by step
After you have obtained a suitable refrigerator to convert it into an air conditioner (the device can be accepted as a gift from friends who decided to replace the unit with a new one, or find a suitable device on the Internet). Now we need to arm ourselves necessary tools. You already have some of them, the rest can be borrowed from friends or bought at a hardware store:
- Electric household
In progress self-assembly air conditioner from an old refrigerator, you will need to saw metal fragments of the unit body. A household jigsaw is specifically designed for metal carving, and will allow you to special labor process it.
- Sewer corrugated pipe
It can be of any convenient color and diameter - its main function in this case is to remove cooled air from the case former refrigerator directly to the premises
- Polyurethane foam or special insulation
Needed for insulation - when creating an air conditioner with your own hands, it is extremely important that the body of the refrigerator not only does not allow cool air to pass through in places where it is not needed, but also does not absorb heat - because then it turns out that your device is running almost idle and not manages to cool the air.
- Two small
Will be needed to create the correct air flow cold air - after all, as you know, the air conditioner works on the principle of blowing - fans in this case will serve as guides for this air. The size of the fans should be chosen relative to the refrigerator itself, but, as a rule, small fans for kitchen hoods are the most popular choice in this case.