Cooling with a conscience
Australian aircon startup Coolzy has snagged a Smart50 Sustainability Award.
Air conditioning company Coolzy.com, which is known for its low-energy portable air conditioners, has been recognised for making cooling more eco-friendly.
The Smart50 Sustainability Award highlights businesses that go the extra mile for the environment, with SmartCompany naming the company as this year’s winner.
Compared to traditional portable air conditioners, Coolzy’s units are said to use 75% less energy than their conventional portable counterparts – a potential game changer for reducing electricity consumption.
Coolzy.com came in at #40 overall in the Smart50 annual awards, which celebrate exceptional innovation, growth and community in Australian small and medium businesses.
"The world needs sustainable cooling that delivers comfort for billions of people without cooking the climate with greenhouse emissions from power stations and refrigerant gases"
Coolzy was founded in Western Australia in 2021 by Professor James Trevelyan, who in 2007 first invented the prototype for what would become the Coolzy.
Trevelyan worked with his engineering students at the University of Western Australia over the next six years to develop Coolzy's energy-efficient, localised air conditioning tech.
The company’s sustainability aspirations don’t stop at efficiency, with packaging that’s fully recyclable and compostable and a commitment to planting a tree for every unit sold – so far at 30,000 saplings and counting.
Global expansion
Coolzy says it isn’t just about cooling – it’s also about making a difference with its tech proving potentially impactful in developing countries, where access to affordable, energy-efficient cooling can significantly improve lives.
"The world needs sustainable cooling that delivers comfort for billions of people without cooking the climate with greenhouse emissions from power stations and refrigerant gases," the company says.
Coolzy.com has expanded overseas and has plans to move into Africa and South America, offering affordable and efficient cooling solutions tailored to regional needs.
With this in mind, it is seeking collaborations with local businesses, governments, and NGOs in those regions, according to SmartCompany.
The company’s other planet-friendly efforts also include reducing its carbon footprint through eco-friendly materials, supply chain improvements, and carbon offset programs.
Coolzy units are run on compressor refrigeration to create a blanket of cool air. The portable units don't use water or exhaust hoses to operate so require no installation. Running on electricity, the retailer says they cost less than $1 a night to run and the units can adjust to high humidity levels by increasing their cooling output.
