How to Make an Air Conditioner from Peltier Modules

Peltier modules are thermoelectric (TE) devices that can be used to provide cooling or to generate electricity, depending on the application. The modules work according to the Peltier/Seebeck effect, which provides cooling by passing a current across two dissimilar materials, that’s on opposite sides of the device. The current flow causes one side of the device to become hot and the other to become very cold.

Peltier coolers are most commonly used to super cool computer CPUs but can be adapted to provide air conditioning by blowing air across the cool surface of the Peltier device.

Building your own solar PV panels, solar water heater or air conditioning, is a blast once you know how. The following are the steps for making a DIY air conditioning solution from a Peltier module.

Things you will need
- Thermal gel
- A Temperature Controller
- A sheet of styrofoam, at least 1” stick
- A large cooling fan for heat dissipation
- A smaller cooling fan for cool air circulation
- A large heat sink
- A small heat sink or aluminum plate
- A Peltier Module

Step 1 - Mark and cut holes in the styrofoam that’s just large enough to fit the smaller heat sink.

Step 2 - Drill mounting holes in both heat sinks so they can be bolted together with the TE module between.

Step 3 - Mount the cooling fan to the larger heat sink.

Step 4 - Mount the small fan to the small heat sink.

Step 5 - Pass a voltage through the TE module to determine which side is the cooling side and which is the heating sides. Remember, you can alternate the heating and cooling sides by reversing the polarity of the current that’s passed through the module. Mark the cooling side.

Step 6 - Apply the thermal gel to both sides of the Peltier module.

Step 7 - Screw both heat sinks together with the Peltier module between them, ensuring that the cooling side is attached to the smaller heat sink and visa versa.

Step 8 - Connect the fans to the power source or controller unit if you are using one.

Step 9 - Check that the fans work. It is very important that the heating side is sufficiently cooled or you will destroy the cooling device. If the heat sink is large enough and the fan is working, then you shouldn’t need to worry about this.

Step 10 - Connect the Peltier module to the current source or control module.

CoolIT and Ferrotec have thermo electric solutions that will ensure that the modules work efficiently by using electricity only when it is needed to keep the temperature at an optimal level. TeTech.com also supplies cold plates and other Peltier Thermoelectric cooler modules and controller solutions.

You can also use Peltier modules to generate electricity by heating one side of the module and cooling the other. What determines the amount of electricity that’s generated is not necessarily how hot or cold each side of the module is but instead how much you can increase the temperature difference between both sides.

If done right, the solution can be used to help reduce your home energy costs.

Also see my article on “How to Generate Electricity From Any Heat Source,” which explains how to use Peltier modules to generate electricity.