Use This One-Minute Test to Find Out If Your Refrigerator Is Leaking Cold Air

Have you ever been absolutely sure that you closed the refrigerator, and then looked back at it and discovered that the door was slightly open? Do you need to pay attention when closing the freezer door to make sure it is actually closed? Is your food staying as cold as it should, or are you noticing condensation or food spoiling prematurely?

If any of these are true, the seals on your refrigerator and/or freezer doors may not be working properly. Here’s a quick test you can do to find out.

How to Check Refrigerator Leaks Using a Dollar Bill

Although it’s commonly called the ” dollar bill test ,” you don’t have to use real currency—a small piece of paper about the same size will do. The goal is to find out if the rubber seal on your refrigerator and/or freezer door, also known as the gasket, is doing its job.

To perform the test, hold a bill or paper to part of the gasket, then close the refrigerator door, grasping the paper and leaving about half of it sticking out. Now slowly pull out the paper .

Ideally there should be some tension, but if the seal is not working properly the paper will easily slip out. Perform this test at various locations around the perimeter of the door to see if any parts of the gasket are weaker than others.

If any part of the seal on your refrigerator or freezer door does not close completely or remains closed, cold air is escaping. So, to maintain the set temperature, your refrigerator has to work overtime using extra energy to cool its contents, resulting in higher energy bills.