Are you a business owner or operations manager looking to reduce your refrigerator’s energy use? Then you should pay attention to your appliance’s door gaskets. Whether you have high utility bills or want to lower overhead costs, gaskets play a major role in your unit’s energy efficiency. 

Learn more about gaskets, what they do, and how they can optimize energy savings for your business. 

 

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Understanding How Door Gaskets Reduce Commercial Refrigerator Energy Use

Door gaskets are installed along the outer edge of your refrigeration doors to help seal them shut. They fill the gaps between the unit and the door to keep cool air in and block warm air out. 

When commercial refrigerators use up to 17,000 kWh of power and freezers up to 38,000 kWh (depending on the size of the unit), maximizing their energy efficiency is necessary to keep your operations cost-effective. 

Several factors impact your refrigerator’s energy consumption, including unit size, type, age, and how often it’s maintained—especially its door gaskets. 

For example, a walk-in cooler uses less energy than a glass door merchandiser because of its size and design. A walk-in cooler has thick, insulated walls that create a sealed, stable environment so cold air doesn’t escape–significantly reducing the refrigeration system’s workload because of temperature consistency. 

While modern glass door units are more efficient than older models, they’re more prone to air leaks. The glass itself has less effective insulation compared to the solid walls of a walk-in cooler—forcing its refrigeration system to work harder.

Regular gasket maintenance and replacement are essential for refrigeration energy efficiency. It preserves their lifespan by keeping them running as they should, which we’ll detail below. 

 

Secures an Air-Tight Seal On Your Appliance Doors to Maintain Internal Temperatures

Closeup image of a hand holding a loose door gasket on freezer

Gaskets act as a barrier to reduce your refrigerator’s energy use, so the cooling system consumes less electricity than needed to maintain its consistent internal temperatures. 

According to the Department of Energy, well-maintained and fitted commercial door gaskets enhance energy efficiency in refrigeration. They minimize air infiltration and reduce compressor workload, leading to utility savings.

If you have a loose, torn, or aged door gasket, it creates a draft in your appliance. It can cause a thermal overload that makes your compressor work overtime, impacting the rest of your cooling system. 

Gaskets help reduce heat loads, especially for multi-door and door-in-door units that require longer gasket lengths. If the gasket isn’t the right size or is faulty, it can increase your refrigerator’s energy use. You can verify the gasket size your model requires by measuring its dimensions. 

 

Prevents Heat Leakage Issues With an Air-Tight Seal

Closeup image of ice buildup in a white freezer appliance

Gaskets form an air-tight seal, preventing heat leakage in your refrigeration appliances. When warm air enters and cold air escapes, the compressor increases the unit’s cooling cycles to reduce its rising internal temperature. 

Additionally, heat leakage can create excess moisture inside your refrigerator or freezer. As a result, humidity can build up, risking mold and bacteria growth.

Warm air can also cause ice buildup inside your freezer, causing several issues:

 

Increased Energy Use

Ice buildup can damage the compressor and other cooling system components, using more energy to function properly. It can also increase the defrost cycle rates to self-regulate these icy conditions, consuming more energy.

 

Blocked Airflow

Overaccumulating ice can block the airflow that evaporator coils need to transfer heat and cool the air, risking moisture buildup inside. 

 

Bacteria Storage

Bacteria can grow from high humidity inside your unit when defrosting ice buildup, risking the spoilage of your refrigerated goods. 

 

Clogged Drains

Ice buildup can clog your unit’s drain, leading to drainage issues, such as leaks, during defrost cycles.

 

Unsealed Doors

Too much ice can cause your appliance doors to not shut fully, meaning your gaskets aren’t sealing them closed.

If you find increasing energy costs or your unit not cooling down properly, you may have a broken or loose-fitting gasket that needs replacement.

 

Preserves Your Refrigerated Goods With Stable Temperatures & Blocked Moisture/Contaminants

Wideshot image of a frozen food aisle in a grocery store

Whether you’re storing refrigerated food or pharmaceuticals, you understand the critical importance of storing them at stable, cool temperatures. Door gaskets prevent temperature fluctuations that often cause condensation, dust, mold, and bacteria inside. As a result, your commodities can become spoiled and waste your valuable inventory.

When your refrigeration has a stable temperature, it improves energy efficiency as it works less hard to maintain it. Well-fitted gaskets contribute to keeping consistent temperatures and reducing energy use because they block warm air, moisture, and contaminants from entering. 

 

Seal in Your Energy Savings: Shop Replacement Commercial Door Gaskets Today

Don’t spend more on refrigeration expenses than you should. Keep your door gaskets and appliances in top condition to maximize energy savings instead.

At Breakaway Enterprises, we provide replacements of OEM equivalent door gaskets for commercial refrigeration appliances. We can also help you find the gasket for your model to ensure you buy the right one that it requires. 

Browse our OEM-applicable stock gaskets, order custom gaskets, or contact us for help today!

 

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