Fridge getting very hot around door seal area?

funnyguy

I have heard this might be something to do with fan getting clogged or broken.But my 2 questions are.Is it dangerous and do I need to sort out straightaway?,and is it upping up electricity used?

bluesnake

most fridges by design have a low power heating element around the door seal of the fridge and freezer.

Some do not have a heating element but instead use the warm gas of the condenser which is piped around the door.

It is there to stop water from freezing between the door and the seal so that the door does not freeze shut or damage the seals. Also prevents ice from forming in colder parts allowing the seal to remain in contact, keeping cold air in.

funnyguy

Thanx for that,but I have had the fridge for a few years and this is much hotter than usual.I have just hoovered the back element area but it is still hot

bluesnake

think it would be wise to put a fridge thermometer in.

taking it is not an electric type, your compressor could be failing and now has to do more work. However it could also be due to the hot weather that it is harder on the heat exchanger efficiency, so it gets hotter too