Abstract In this first part a comprehensive thermophysical characterisation of six activated carbons – based on coconut, peat and stone coal with focus on thermally driven chillers is reported. Pore and surface analysis are performed using N2 and CO2 adsorption. Furthermore the density and heat capacity of the samples is determined. Methanol adsorption measurements for evaporation between −5 °C and 35 °C and driving temperatures up to 130 °C are realized using a thermobalance and evaluated using the Dubinin–Astakhov (DA) approach. Based on the given DA equations, the possible loading lifts for typical applications like 95°-35°-7 °C are calculated. The samples show very attractive maximum loading lifts up to 0.385 g g−1. Furthermore the mass and volume specific cooling enthalpy of 244 kJ kg−1 and 126 kJ dm−3 under realistic conditions demonstrates the good performance of this working pair.