One of the most important factors in keeping contents colder for longer is the insulated quality of the lid. On average, most manufacturers make their cool boxes with walls that average between 38mm to 56mm thick and lids that are rarely thicker than 1 inch in depth. However, the manufacturers whose cool boxes are considered the best quality have increased the depth of their ice box lids to around 76mm thick. As an example, Xtracool manufacture a range of five models from fibreglass, known as the Premium Glass range. This series of coolers are made in sizes that encompass 48 litres, 50 litres, 66 litres, 80 litres and 110 litres. When comparing the 48 litres, 50 litre and 66 litre sizes, the thickness of the lids measure 50mm, 41mm, and 50 mm respectively. Meanwhile, the 80 litre and 110 litre sized ice boxes have lids that measure 48mm and 45mm thick.

There are many reasons why the use of a 12 volt refrigerator could benefit the environment. First and foremost, instead of being considered a formal refrigerator that is powered by Freon gas, the 12 volt refrigerator is really a top-of-the-range ice box that is fitted with a fan and a source of electricity. Once you plug the ice box into your source of electricity it will only draw 12 volts in order to keep the ice box efficiently cool. Usually these cool boxes, which tend to be known as thermoelectric cool boxes, are used by people who spend a lot of time out of doors, plugging the ice box into the cigarette lighter inside their vehicles. These thermoelectric cooler boxes are also habitually used in boats and RVs. These 12 volt refrigerators can also utilize other power sources from which to draw their electricity. This includes independent batteries as well as solar power, with the use of transformers fitted to them.

Cool boxes fitted with thermoelectric properties are very economical and extremely efficient so that anybody concerned with environmental issues would certainly benefit from making use of 12 volt cool boxes instead of the traditional domestic refrigerator. In fact, in the days before domestic refrigerators became widespread, cool boxes were a common means of keeping food and drink cool and free from contaminants. The 12 volt cool boxes are certainly an efficient alternative to the traditional ice box that relies solely on its properties of insulation. Until comparatively recently, these thermoelectric 12 volt coolers depended on the use of the battery in your vehicle to run from. Nowadays, they will also operate just as efficiently on wind power or solar power.

Thermoelectric cool boxes are certainly a great convenience, especially as you are not dependent solely on your supply of ice to keep your food and drink cold. These coolers are also environmentally friendly and draw a smaller amount of power to operate than their domestic counterparts. There is a choice of models available now, each ice box operating very efficiently from their thermoelectric properties. This includes the Engel 12 volt cooler, the Novakool and the Sun Danzer Direct Current, amongst others. Oddly enough, when you consider that these cool boxes are dependent on their electrical current for operating, you actually have to buy the charging units independently. In other words, take the cost of both the ice box and the charging unit into account when you are looking at the total price. Nevertheless, used appropriately, these 12 volt coolers are certainly a step in the right direction, improving the prospects for the environment yet not relying solely on a supply of ice to keep your food fresh and your drinks cool.