Affordable Eco-Friendly Coolers

Fenik's off-grid eco-friendly cooler, called the Yuma 60L, could help over 1.2 billion people in the world who are living without electricity. Without electricity and refrigeration, up to 50% of food spoils throughout places like India and Africa. Fenik's solution was to create a low cost, portable refrigerator that runs independently of electricity.

Fenik Coolers work using a phenomenon known as evaporative cooling, meaning that the walls of the device store water while allowing water vapor to permeate outwards. When the water evaporates, heat energy is pulled from the inside of the device cooling it down up to 35 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on ambient conditions. This process is identical to how traditional devices such as such as Zeer Pots or Coolgardie Safes have preserved food in the past. However, unlike these traditional devices, Fenik’s unique redesign is sleeker, uses modern materials, and is easier to use and carry than its predecessors.

Fenik hopes that its coolers will have some appeal in other areas of the world as well, since the Yuma 60L offers some additional benefits when compared to conventional refrigerators. For instance, it requires no electricity and can offer consumers some respite from high electricity bills. Secondly, some foods, such as bananas, tomatoes, green peppers, and squash, actually keep better when stored in conditions that are warmer than a typical refrigerator. Fenik Coolers maintain an average temperature of 55 to 65 degrees while used inside the home and maintain a high internal humidity. Lastly, refrigerators emit harmful HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) and HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) into the atmosphere, while the Yuma 60L is entirely GHG (greenhouse gas) emission free.

These qualities make it ideal for the eco-conscious, those in need of extra vegetable storage at home, or those that simply want to live off-grid. The product is only available for a limited time on Kickstarter.