Looking for ways to beat the heat? Now, you can make your own air conditioner — one that doesn’t even need any electricity. Sounds too good to be true, right? It isn’t!
Already in use in 25,000 Bangladeshi households, this do-it-yourself cooling system called Eco-Cooler is said to decrease temperatures by at least 9 degrees (5 degrees Celsius) in a short time.
The device is mounted on a board, with bottleneck-sized holes cut in a grid pattern and no electricity is involved.
The idea is fairly simple, cut plastic bottles in half and mount them on a board. Then place the board over a window with wider part of the bottles outside.
Hot air will rush into each bottle, which is pushed to the rim where it starts to expand – this expansion is what cools the air before it enters the room.
Although some might not be sold on the idea, Eco-Cooler shares an explanation to change their minds. It’s the same as blowing on your hand with your mouth wide open – the air is hot. Now, when you blow with your lips pursed the air is cool – Eco-Coolers claim to do the same thing.
Grey Group, an advertising company that is leading the project, in collaboration with volunteers from Grameen Intel Social Business have installed over 25,000 Eco-Coolers in Nilphamari, Daulatdia, Paturia, Modonhati and Khaleya since February this year.
The cooler’s efficiency varies based on conditions and air flow; however, the inventors claim it has the ability to reduce indoor temperatures as much as by 5 degrees Celsius.
An instruction manual on how to build the Eco-Cooler has been posted online so anyone can benefit from it.
“After initial tests, blueprints of the Eco-Cooler were put up online for everyone to download for free. Raw materials are easily available, therefore, making Eco-Coolers a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly solution”, said Syed Gousul Alam Shaon, Managing Partner and Chief Creative Officer at Grey Dhaka.
