Thermoelectric self-cooling systems hold good prospects for the future, since they improve the cooling of any heat-generating device without electricity consumption. The potential number of applications seems to be enormous, hence the necessity of a specific model to simulate this type of thermoelectric application. This paper presents a computational model for thermoelectric self-cooling applications, capable of simulating both the steady and the transient state of the whole system. Supported by fluid-dynamics software and based on the implicit finite differences, the model solves the system of equations composed of the Fourier's law and the thermoelectric effects Seebeck, Peltier, Joule and Thomson, including temperature-dependant properties. Furthermore, the model architecture allows the inclusion of new analytical expressions and/or procedures in order to simulate any component with higher accuracy or include more complex ones. Statistical studies indicate +/- 12% of maximum deviation between experimental and simulated values of the main outputs. Furthermore, the model simulates the performance of the system under abruptly changing conditions. In conclusion, the computational model turns out to be a powerful tool that will play a key role in the design and development of thermoelectric self-cooling applications. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.