The most costly energy drains are those you don't notice

In this age of ecological awareness, big data and corporate transparency, multi-site businesses know that setting up systems to monitor and minimise energy waste is critical. From automatic lighting systems that only come on when customers are present to integrated smart meters that provide real time reports of each site's energy usage, FM companies and sustainability managers are deploying state-of-the-art tech to optimise efficiency.

But what if there were something simple you could implement immediately that would almost guarantee a drop in energy consumption across your estate? If your sites use fridges, freezers, cooling units or cold rooms, setting up an effective door seal replacement system might be all it takes.

When fridge or freezer door seals get torn or wear away, warm air starts to seep into the unit. Sensing an increase in temperature, your appliance thermostat triggers the cold chain. The compressor kicks in and your energy usage spikes. Sure, this might register on your smart meter, but that doesn't pinpoint the root of the issue or solve it.

Catering brands are particularly vulnerable because around 41% of their energy consumption is due to refrigeration. With each faulty door seal pushing up an appliance's energy footprint by as much as a quarter, the cost implications are staggering. Buying good quality door seals early will not only push down energy costs, it will save you money on unnecessary repair bills and early appliance replacements.

As a first step, we recommend tightening up your site maintenance and cleaning schedules to regularly check and replace door seals. That way, you won't be hit by any nasty surprises.

How to scale your gasket procurement strategy

If you were to total the number of refrigeration appliances and cold rooms across the sites of your (or your customer's) estate, how many individual door seals does that come to? And how many OEMs would you need to deal with when you need a replacement seal? With the Gasket Guy Asset Register, you can reduce that figure to just one – us!

This deceptively simple strategy will remove many layers of costs from your procurement chain: repeat phone calls and emails, customs, overseas shipping, returns, admin hours and more. It replaces the hassle of looking up model numbers, thumbing through user manuals and searching for ID plates with the convenience of a simple ID number/sticker system. When a manager or engineer needs a replacement gasket for any fridge, freezer, cooler unit or cold room, they simply call one UK-based number and quote the ID number.

We will even proactively reach out when a seal is reaching the end of its natural lifespan, so you can replace it early rather than watch your monthly energy bills rise.

A measurable step towards a more sustainable business

With the UK government now targeting an 81% reduction in carbon emissions before 2035, businesses can expect to face increasing pressure to deliver auditable energy savings. Sustainability managers can get ahead of the curve by on-shoring their procurement supply chains and recording appliance energy usage. Gasket Guy stock over 2,000 gasket profiles and can manufacture high quality replacements for obscure or obsolete models here in the UK. Aside from guaranteeing 100% serviceability and reducing lead times, this cuts down on transport miles, a win for ROI and another measurable benefit for the environment.

For more details about our Asset Register or to arrange a site visit, get in touch today. We also have more detail about our commitment to the planet on our dedicated environment and sustainability page.