Li, a seafood wholesaler, noticed that after using her cold storage unit for 3 years, the electricity bill kept rising—costing over 1,200 yuan more per month than when it was new. At first, she thought the unit was aging and planned to replace it. Later, a maintenance technician inspected the unit and pointed out that the soaring electricity bill was not due to aging but long-term lack of targeted maintenance.

Many businesses face this problem: as cold storage units are used for a long time, their cooling effect decreases while electricity consumption increases. In fact, doing a good job of these 4 maintenance details can effectively reduce energy consumption:

First, clean the air filter regularly. A clogged filter reduces air intake, forcing the unit to operate at higher power to reach the set temperature, which naturally increases power consumption. It is recommended to remove and clean the filter monthly—rinse it with clean water, let it dry, and reinstall it. Replace the filter promptly if it is damaged. This simple action can reduce energy consumption by about 10%.

Second, check the sealing of door gaskets. Aging or deformed door gaskets cause cold air leakage, requiring the unit to operate continuously to replenish the lost cold air. Insert a thin piece of paper between the door gasket—if it can be pulled out easily, the seal is not tight. Replace the door gasket or adjust the door body in a timely manner to avoid cold air waste, which can save 200-300 yuan in electricity bills per month.

Third, maintain smooth ventilation around the unit. Stacking goods or debris around the unit affects heat dissipation and reduces compressor efficiency. Ensure that there is at least 50cm of ventilation space around the unit and avoid direct sunlight, allowing the heat dissipation system to work normally and further reducing energy consumption.

Fourth, calibrate the thermostat precision. Thermostat drift leads to inaccurate temperature control—for example, setting it to -18℃ but the actual temperature is around -15℃. This not only wastes electricity but also affects the quality of goods storage. Calibrate the thermostat once a year to ensure the temperature error does not exceed ±0.5℃, which can both guarantee storage effect and save electricity bills.

After Li maintained her unit according to these methods, her electricity bill dropped by 1,300 yuan in the third month, and the cooling effect was restored to the level of a new machine. In fact, increased power consumption of the unit is not inevitable—finding the right maintenance methods can save money and worry.