There are still a few sweltering days of summer left, and if you're looking for a cool breeze without the expense of an actual air conditioning unit here's a way to use a bucket and some ice to cool down an entire room. We've posted about DIYing an air conditioner out of a cheap Styrofoam cooler and some ice packs, but this version is a bit more durable (not to mention comes with a step-by-step video). You can build it with a 5-gallon bucket, Styrofoam liner, PVC pipe, ice (or in this case, water frozen inside a milk jug), and a small fan. According to the video, it chilled air from 84 degrees F to the mid forties, and lasted for about six hours.The fan can also be run off a small solar panel, which opens up some possibilities for cooling down areas that don't have electricity. While window AC units are getting less expensive, there may be times when a cheap DIY version comes in handy. Check out the video for a full walkthrough.Homemade Air Conditioner DIY | YouTubeWorkshop is a new blog from Lifehacker all about DIY tips, techniques, and projects.

Follow us on Twitter here.After you find a home that is aesthetically appealing, the next step is to ensure the house is in top condition with a home inspection. Once the buyer and seller have settled on price, it's the last safeguard for the buyer to know that the soon-to-be-purchased home is really worth the money inside and out. But a home inspection is never a guarantee that your new home is going to be in perfect working order. (For more, see Do You Need A Home Inspection?) IN PICTURES: 7 Tips On Buying A Home In A Down Market Heating, Ventilation and Air ConditioningHeating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC) are one of the top problems that home inspectors can miss, says Mark Vuncannon, a broker with Allen Tate Realtors in Asheboro, North Carolina, because the technicians may be reluctant to run the air conditioning in extreme cold, or to check the heat in blistering heat. "The inspectors do this because they do not want to do damage by running the unit too long in adverse conditions or they do not want to be held responsible for repairs if it breaks a few days after the new homeowner moves in," he says.

When the home inspection report is issued, it usually contains a disclaimer that relieves inspectors of this liability. outdoor air conditioner unit coverTo cover any glitches with your heating and cooling systems down the road, Vuncannon recommends having the system checked by a licensed specialist separate from the home inspection.how to size an air handling unit Roof LeaksThe number-one culprit to slip through a home inspection is roof leaks, according to Reggie Marston, president of Residential Equity Management Home Inspections in Springfield, Virginia. how to install thru wall ac unitThat's because home inspectors don't physically access the roof to check on its condition, he explains. Instead, inspectors generally examine the roof from ground level with binoculars or when possible, they'll look out higher level windows to get a view of roofing below.

Inspectors will note torn or missing shingles and nail pops that may or may not be indicative of a full-fledged problem. To guarantee that you are buying a house with a durable roof, Marston suggests hiring a licensed roof contractor to provide a full evaluation of its state. Faulty AppliancesPart of a home inspection is checking that all major appliances are functioning properly. Marston says that this is the second most likely flaw to be overlooked in a home inspection. To confirm that all appliances are in working order, a technician will run them through one or two cycles to make sure there's no trouble, such as a leaking refrigerator or a smoking dryer. However, the check is only a neutral source confirming that the appliances work, not an internal or technical diagnostic of the appliance. That means an appliance could work fine the day the inspector tests it, and flare-up on move-in day when the seller has already been absolved of any responsibility. (For more, check out The 10 Worst First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes.)

Damaged Siding and WindowsAccording to Marston, real estate contracts are structured so that major systems, such as electric and plumbing, are reviewed and obligate the seller to fix any deficiencies to complete the sale. But other imperfections that fall outside of the contract's purview may go unrepaired. For example, in past inspections, Marston says he has noted that damaged siding or old windows that the seller is not required to fix, but that could develop into a much bigger problem later. (For a related reading, see 4 Types Of Home Renovations: Which Ones Boost Value?) Under the CarpetInspectors look for evidence of significant wear that are in plain view, but the things that can't be seen pose a risk, says Chobee Hoy, Owner of Chobee Hoy Realty Associates, Inc. She recommends shadowing an inspector to have them look at concerns you have about the house and probing what is under some moldy carpet or is lurking behind paneling, adding that buyers can seek sellers' permission to remove superficial facades for the inspector to take a deeper look.

IN PICTURES: Top 8 House-Hunting Mistakes What to Do NextIf the home inspector reports a problem with your dream home, the process doesn't end here. Next, it's up to you to hire specialists - whether it's a roof contractor or an air conditioning technician - to fully investigate the problem at hand. It may run you a few hundred dollars upfront, but that's a savings compared to the thousands of dollars unreported or unresolved problems could costs after the sale has been finalized. (For a step-by-step walkthrough of the home buying process check out our Buying A Home Tutorial.) Want to learn how to invest? Get a free 10 week email series that will teach you how to start investing. Delivered twice a week, straight to your inbox. No thanks, I prefer not making money.There are times when I am extremely thankful for air conditioning -- usually after I have had a long workout on a hot summer's day and am still sweating after a cold shower. The cold, dry air is invigorating and refreshing.

But usually, after about 30 minutes, I find myself shivering and needing to go back outside. Indeed, I have found that the majority of homes I have visited and more so, public offices and stores, the air conditioning temperature is set so low that I find myself feeling sick so that I have to step outside. I also find that I am more tired and my muscles more sore from shivering all day. So I decided to look into why this is and what we should all know about air conditioning. To begin, I do contest to the positive side of air conditioners, as they are beneficial to those individuals who suffer from asthma and allergies, as pollen and dust are filtered through the system. The air conditioners also dry out the humidity and usually clean out the air, enabling us to breathe cleaner air and not be over-run by heat stroke. The problem is, however, that these systems need to be extremely well-maintained, checked and cleaned, or all these benefits are trumped by breathing problems and infections.

More so, keeping the room temperature so cold has other negative consequences. These are the top five negative health consequences that you want to be aware of:When air conditioners are not cleaned thoroughly and filters changed, a breeding ground for all kinds of bacteria and fungi is created. These systems especially can be home to black mold, as moisture can build up in the coils and ducts from condensation that forms when the cool air passes through. When these microorganisms go air-borne, they can lead to a multitude of breathing problems, including a potentially fatal infectious pneumonia, Legionnaire's disease, caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila. Remedy: Make sure your air conditioning systems are cleaned regularly and the filter changed every few months. 2. Fatigue, headaches and generally feeling ill. Many individuals find that after a day of work, they often feel more tired than usual, headachy and a general sense of malaise. They also find that once they leave the building, the symptoms often resolve.

Sometimes termed "sick building syndrome," it may be that air conditioning may be the cause. In a study published in the Aug. 19, 2004 International Journal of Epidemiology, people working in office buildings with central air conditioning had more symptoms of illness than those who did not work in buildings with central air. Remedy: Raise the temperature slightly so that you are not shivering and take regular breaks to step outside for fresh air and for your body temperature to equilibrate.The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is warning us that we may be more exposed to pollutants inside than outside, especially because central air conditioning does not bring in fresh air but circulates old air. This means that if there is mold, dust, animal dander or other people in the building have viruses or air-borne infections, individuals are more prone to be exposed and get sick. Remedy: Some systems are built to a low in a "leak" from the outside. You can create your own leak by cracking open a window even slightly.