Are fridges bad for the environment?

The short answer is yes.

Fridges often contribute to global warming through the release of greenhouse gases. But unlike other appliances, energy consumption is not necessarily the biggest culprit.

Refrigerant leakage

If you are old enough to cast your mind back to the 1980s, you will remember the global fears around a hole that was opening in the ozone layer, exposing humans to dangerous levels of ultraviolet radiation.

As a result, hundreds of countries signed up to the Montreal Protocol, agreeing to phase out chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone depleting substances (ODS).

CFCs were a common chemical used in refrigerants, but the industry found a solution: ozone-safe hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). What wasn't appreciated at the time was that HFCs are a powerful greenhouse gas.

How powerful?

Well, a single kilogram of the HFC R410a (used in the most efficient fridges) has as much global warming potential (GWP) as two tonnes of CO². Fortunately, these refrigerants are locked inside a working, well-maintained fridge.

However, a poorly maintained fridge can leak HFCs into the atmosphere, and the real problem occurs once a fridge is disposed of, especially in countries where regulation is poor or non-existent. In the UK, it is illegal to dispose of a fridge without first safely removing and either recycling the refrigerant or converting it into a different chemical (yes, even since Brexit).

Of course, a disposed fridge that has been drained of refrigerant can still contribute to ecosystem damage, due to its non-recyclable components, but at least it won't be contributing to global warming for decades after its disposal.

Energy consumption

The second way in which fridges are bad for the environment is through their high power consumption. Of course, if our electricity were supplied mainly from sustainable sources (wind, sun, hydroelectric, etc.) then this wouldn't be an issue. But since the burning of fossil fuels, mainly gas, currently provides the bulk of the UK's energy, then the more we use our fridges, and the less efficient they are, the more CO² is released into the atmosphere.

How to minimise the damage caused by fridges: 7 quick tips

When most business owners ask, 'Are fridges bad for the environment?' they are not seriously considering running their businesses without refrigeration.

While air conditioning - another contributor to HFC emissions - is often a luxury, the same can not be said about fridges. Whether you need refrigeration for food storage, as part of cold-chain medical storage or for another reason, fridges will be an essential part of your business - and the UK economy simply wouldn't function without fridges.

So if we can't eliminate the damaging impact of our fridges, can we reduce it? The answer to that question is much more positive.

Here are seven ways in which business owners can drastically reduce the ecological harm caused by a typical fridge:

• Make sure your fridges are regularly serviced by an F-Gas certified technician.
• If disposing of a fridge, contact a licensed waste carrier.
• When buying a new fridge, choose an energy-efficient model (A-rated)
• Set your fridge at the correct temperature for the items you are storing.
• Reduce the number of times you open your fridges (it is better to take out several items in one go than to retrieve them one at a time).
• Defrost your fridge regularly.
• Check your gaskets (fridge seals), and replace them if they are broken or degraded (see below).

In summary: Are fridges bad for the environment? Yes, sadly they are. We can't completely avoid releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere while running our fridges.

However, by being responsible about how we run, maintain and, especially, dispose of our fridges, we can reduce the impact on the environment.

Is your leaky gasket warming the planet (and pushing up your bills?)

Gasket Guy can support you in responsibly maintaining your fridges by quickly sourcing and supplying replacement gaskets (door seals) for almost any type of fridge or freezer.

If you suspect your gasket is allowing warm air into your fridge, you will be reducing its efficiency, adding unnecessary CO² to the atmosphere and pushing up your bills in the process.

We have plenty of articles on our website where we take you through how to check, repair and, where necessary, replace your gaskets. Please contact us for more information.