How a five pound note in the fridge could save homeowners money

An expert has revealed how putting banknotes in the fridge could save homeowners money.

People are being encouraged to take the unusual step of finding out if their refrigerator is working as it should and avoiding increased costs due to a damaged or worn gasket.

Guy Chapman, silicone seal expert at United Silicones, told the Mirror newspaper: “People tend to focus on the device itself and rarely think about the seal running around the edge of the door.

“But this small strip of material plays a big role in keeping cold air where it belongs. As kitchens get hotter in the summer months, the refrigerator has to work harder to remove heat from the cabinet.

“If the gasket is not doing its job properly, the device may have to constantly struggle with hot air entering from the outside.”

Guy’s proposal is what “many people call the bill test.”

He explained: “Close the fridge door over a banknote so some of it remains visible, then try to gently pull it out.

“If the note slides very easily without encountering any resistance, this may mean that the seal is no longer making good contact with the refrigerator body at that point.

“It is useful to repeat the test in different areas of the door, as wear is not always evenly distributed.”

There are several signs that your fridge’s seal is not up to the correct standard, including the door not closing as tightly as before, condensation forming in the door area and food not staying as cold as you thought it would.

Other symptoms include visible cracks or deformations in the seal itself, areas that feel hard or brittle, and the compressor needing to run more frequently.

Guy added: “People are often surprised to learn that such a small component can have such a significant impact on how hard the refrigerator works throughout the day.”