Homemade air-conditioner units go viral

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- An innovate and inexpensive way to keep cool is going viral right now, after Action News posted "how-to" videos for homemade A/C units.

This is the time of year most of us debate whether to run the a/c all day and all night, especially given the heat wave we're in right now.

The units are clearly not large enough to replace your air conditioner, but they work well enough to cool small rooms. They look complicated, but it's very basic work that involves a fan, a large container like an ice chest or bucket, and some ice.

"It might not look great, but you know what it feels great, especially in the summer time," Jimmie Montoya said. He says it took him just minutes and a few bucks to make. And this thing is much cheaper to run than him standard A/C.

"The ice, your icemaker can make that, otherwise maybe a three dollar bag of ice, fill it up for 6-8 hours and it's pretty comfortable," Montoya said. "Honestly, it was a fun little project and i just wanted to build something out of the blue."

Montoya found the idea online, which is where we did also. And we shared it on the ABC 30 Facebook page, where a lot of people seem to love this cheap alternative.

From our page it's been shared nearly 4,000 times. And on our sister station's pages it's been shared nearly 20,000 times combined.

Viewers are even posting their own 'how-to' video after finding the directions on our website.

The folks at Fresno Ag Hardware just tried to make their own as well. "It was blowing cold air earlier, but now all the ice is melted," said Kevin Seubert. "We have 10 lb bags from our ice machine so we're trying it out."

If you end up building one of these babies - be sure to send us a video or picture of your creation. We may even share it on air or online. Go to http://ureport.abc30.com to upload your videos or photos. You can also send them to kfsndesk@abc.com or uReport@kfsn.com.

Click the link for more video tutorials on building your own homemade air-conditioner: http://abc30.tv/1z9kuYL