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Dulley's Money-Saving Tip #1067

Check the condition of your oven door gasket

(related column topic links - (870, 876)

Summer and the air-conditioning season are not far off. It is time you check the condition of the gasket on your oven. If the gasket it leaky, the oven element or burners will be on longer to maintain the baking temperature. This uses extra energy for baking and also increases the cooling load on your air conditioner.

This is even a worse problem with a gas oven. When gas burns, it basically becomes carbon dioxide and water vapor. This water vapor is released into your room air making you uncomfortable in the summer. Often you end up setting the thermostat lower to compensate for the higher humidity and this really pushes up your electric bills.

You can just visually check the gasket for any burned spots. You can also determine the quality of the seal by how snugly the door closes. If you can easily wiggle it around, the gasket probably is worn.