A common cause of energy inefficiency in refrigerator operation is a door that doesn’t seal properly. If you test your door and realize it doesn’t have a decent seal (see Refrigerator Energy-Saving Tips for how to do so), then you can make some adjustments to the door to remedy the problem.

If this doesn’t work, or your refrigerator’s design makes adjustments impossible, then you may have to replace the door gasket. Following are instructions for both procedures:

1) Remove any coverings that conceal the hinges. For models where the freezer and refrigerated sections are located side-by-side, slightly loosen the top hinge using a nut driver. For models with the freezer on top, adjust the top hinge of the freezer door with the nut driver and the bottom hinge of the refrigerated section with a socket wrench.

2) Move the door around until it is level. Put a level on top of the door while you adjust its position. Hold the door in place, and refasten the screws. Reaffix any coverings that you removed earlier.

3) Retest the door’s seal. If it is still faulty, open the door and peel back the rubber gasket. Along the top and partway down the door’s sides, gently loosen the screws that fasten the strip. Take off the gasket in this area.

4) Apply new gasket, slipping it underneath the metal retaining strip. Slightly tighten the screws.

5) Follow steps 3 and 4 with the bottom half of the door.

6) Finish securing all of the screws once the new gasket is entirely in place.