**Simple 1p Paper Trick Helps Ensure Your Fridge Runs Efficiently During Heatwave**
As the UK gears up for an impending bout of hot weather, with Welsh temperatures predicted to soar as high as 29°C by week’s end, householders are being advised to perform a quick, cost-effective check to ensure their fridges are operating optimally. Experts have highlighted the challenges soaring temperatures can pose for domestic appliances, with increased strain on refrigerators raising the risk of energy waste, food spoilage, and ultimately, higher bills.
The guidance comes from leading appliance manufacturer Beko, who have urged the public to utilise a humble sheet of A4 paper as a means of checking the integrity of their fridge’s door seal. A faulty or deteriorating seal is an issue that’s often overlooked, but can have consequences for both food safety and energy efficiency—especially in the kind of heatwave Wales is bracing for this week.
Warmer ambient temperatures place additional demand on refrigerators as they work overtime to maintain their internal coolness. If the seal around a fridge’s door is not tight, warm air can seep in, resulting in the interior struggling to stay chilled. This not only accelerates the rate at which food spoils, but also causes the fridge to work harder than it should, driving up household electricity costs and accelerating the appliance’s wear and tear.
Beko’s Head of Product Management, Salah Sun, offered a straightforward test that anyone can conduct at home: “To check if your fridge door is functioning correctly, use a piece of paper.” Paper, which can cost as little as 1p or simply be salvaged from existing supplies at home, acts as a simple diagnostic tool. “Place the paper against the door seal and close the door. When you try to pull the paper out, you should feel some resistance. If the paper slides out easily, your door seal may need replacing.”
This paper test is an accessible solution that requires no technical expertise. Beko cautions that if the seal is not keeping the door shut tightly, not only is extra energy consumed, but there is also a heightened risk of food developing bacteria or spoiling before its best-before date—particularly concerning during spells of intense summer warmth.
Industry specialists note that replacing a door seal is usually a straightforward and relatively affordable fix compared to the potential cost of replacing an entire fridge, or the cumulative expense of wasted food. Maintaining an efficient fridge also contributes to broader household efforts to manage energy consumption—a concern that is only rising as the UK endures more frequent heatwaves due to climate change.
The Met Office has mapped out the parts of Wales set to experience the most severe temperature hikes in the coming days. Typical summer spikes are now expected to reach heatwave criteria, which for Wales is defined by three consecutive days at or above 25°C. Households are therefore being urged to anticipate these conditions and to keep a close watch on the performance of kitchen white goods.
Whilst it is easy to overlook the maintenance of home appliances amidst the hustle of daily life, preventative checks such as this one-penny hack can make a tangible difference. Especially as energy prices and the cost of living continue to dominate national conversation, minor efforts can accumulate into significant savings.
It’s also a reminder of the often-overlooked role that appliance maintenance plays in household budgets and food safety. During times of predicted heat, such vigilance can help protect both wallets and well-being, reducing the risk of unnecessary waste and inconvenience.
For those who find that their fridge does need a new seal, many manufacturers and repair services can advise on the correct part to purchase and often provide guidance on how it can be fitted at home. Taking action before a heatwave can spare homeowners the headache of spoilt groceries—offering peace of mind during some of the warmest weeks of the year.