The Frozen Water Bottle Hack That Makes The Perfect Low-Cost Alternative To AC

Hot summer weather can make the temperature of your home unbearable. Most people rely on their home's AC unit to blast cool air through their vents and keep their living space feeling comfortable. However, you might be one of many people who live in a region where air conditioning units are typically not installed in homes. Even if you do have one of these systems, it's helpful to have temporary alternatives to rely on in case it stops working. Luckily, there's an easy way to cool down a room without an AC system. All you have to do is fill a large bottle with water, freeze it, and set it down on a high surface within your room. 

You could place it on a tall shelf or on top of a cabinet, for example. Don't forget to sit a tray or plate underneath the bottle so that it can catch condensation as it rolls down the bottle. After placing the frozen water bottle in the room you want to cool down, it will somewhat decrease the temperature of the surrounding air. This heavier, cooler air will sink down toward the floor. Obviously, this hack is not a total replacement for an AC unit that would adequately cool your entire home. However, it's a free and easy trick that will allow you to temporarily cool a room down when you're in a pinch.

This creative way to cool a room without air conditioning can be taken to the next level with a few enhancements. Instead of filling the bottle with water alone, consider adding 70% water and 10% salt. The added salt will decrease the water's freezing point, making sure the ice is even colder when you take it out of the freezer. Just make sure to leave some room in the bottle to allow for the ice to expand inside the plastic.

To increase the effectiveness of the water bottle's cooling power even more, place a fan behind it. This results in an air conditioning effect that blasts cool air into the room. Don't forget to position the fan in the direction you want to cool. It's also important to sit the bottle inside a tray if you decide to go this route. This will ensure that the water that drips down the bottle pools inside the tray rather than coming into contact with the fan. These tips will help you get the most out of this frozen water bottle hack.