Failing to regularly defrost your ULT Freezer can lead to a build-up of frost, resulting in increased energy consumption and poor operational practices.

When we examined the effects of individual bad practices, such as blocking the filter and poor spacing, we observed noticeable increases in energy consumption. Running costs rose by 3.9% due to poor spacing and 2.5% as a result of blocked filters.

However, the most significant impact on both energy consumption and temperature performance was observed when the door seal was obstructed. In fact, obstructing the door seal led to a staggering 38% increase in energy consumption. Additionally, the time required for the unit to recover after door openings increased up to fivefold.

This highlights the critical role of maintaining an unobstructed door seal for optimal ULT Freezer performance. Interestingly, when we combined the bad practices of blocking the filter by 75% and obstructing the seal, the expected increase in energy consumption did not occur.

One possible explanation for this unexpected result is the formation of ice. Even after initially obstructing the seal, the continued build-up of ice may have impacted temperature control and efficiency. This could explain why compartments 1 and 2 exhibited higher temperatures during Step 6 compared to subsequent steps involving additional bad practices.

To ensure the best performance and energy efficiency of your ULT Freezer, it is crucial to prioritise regular defrosting. By preventing frost build-up, you can avoid unnecessary energy consumption, maintain proper temperature control, and minimise the impact of bad practices on your unit's performance.