We have two upright freezers (one new, one 5 yrs old) and a 5 yr old small chest freezer.  I noticed that all have very warm sides.  The newest also has a warm top.  It's constant, not cyclic.  Doors and back are all cool to the touch.

  We also have two regular refrigerators in the same indoor area.  They are cool to the touch all around.  Both are frost-free types, freezer on top, refrigerator below and work fine.

  Is it normal for freezers to be noticeably warm on the sides?  Seems odd to me, but they always work just fine.

Thanks.  Stetts