Higher energy bills then expected

If you're a business owner, you will likely have an instinctual awareness of how much energy your premises use each month. If your bills have been higher than you expected, even after taking account of the rise in unit prices, inefficient fridges and freezers could be to blame.

One of the most common culprits of an inefficient fridge or freezer is a gasket that has failed or is not as airtight as it used to be.

The reasons for higher energy bills are straightforward. The more warm air that enters the fridge, the more frequently the thermostat will trigger the compressor.

If you are not convinced that your fridges or freezers are the cause of your high energy bills, check for evidence of a humid interior. Fridges and freezers are designed to act as cold, dry deserts, so any build up of moisture is a strong sign that your appliance is not functioning properly.

Water in and/or around your fridge

The most obvious evidence of excess humidity is the presence of water. This could be as condensation on the cool interior walls of the fridge or as melted ice from the evaporator coils. If you are regularly emptying the drip pan, or mopping up puddles of water from around your appliance, your fridge is too humid.

If you don't catch sight of the water itself, you might come across the evidence of humid conditions. Mould growth is one sign since these micro-organisms need warm, damp conditions to grow.

Another humidity clue is excessive buildup of ice. We all know what an iced up freezer is like, but the fridge's evaporator coils are also cold enough to freeze water. A frost-free fridge will act to melt this ice, but if your fridge's interior is too moist, it won't keep up, and you will see ice buildup on your coils.

Inspecting for visual clues

If the above has led you to suspect your fridge or freezer gasket, we recommend carrying out a careful manual inspection.

Before you remove your seal, carry out the classic 'bank note test'. Simply place a note (or a slip of paper) between the fridge or freezer door and the frame. If the note slips down, the gasket almost certainly needs checking and probably replacing. If the note stays in place, it may be OK, but we suggest removing and checking it anyway.

After removing the seal (you may need to unscrew a cover plate first, depending on the design), give it a good clean. Sometimes, this is enough to solve the problem, and it will also enable you to see any damaged sections more easily.

Carefully work your fingers over its length checking for tears and splits. If you find any, you should replace your gasket as soon as possible.

If you don't, check whether the seal is warped. If it is, try and reshape it manually. If the gasket has become old and stiff, this can be difficult and you may be better off replacing it. If your gasket is still supple, refitting it and using a hairdryer, on low setting, to correct any twists and bumps might return your fridge to good working order.

If your fridge or freezer initially failed the bank note test, carry out another test after you refit your seal.

Still unsure whether or not you need to replace your gasket?

If the reason you're reading this article is concern over an inefficient appliance, then a leaky seal could well be the culprit. If you are in any doubt about the effectiveness of your gasket, buying a replacement will at least enable you to rule out other, more expensive causes.

If you are here because you have noticed your gasket is looking shabby or unfit for purpose, switching it for a new one now could be more cost effective than putting up with higher energy bills until the gasket gives up the ghost.

For more on the importance of replacing old or damaged door seals, and to find out how to quickly track down the replacement gasket you need, visit our information page.