When the temps go up, the energy costs often do too. Here are a few handy tips to save energy and save money. Even small changes can collectively help you out during the heat of summer.

Tip 1: Avoid the Oven

Cooking with a conventional oven can add unwanted heat to your house, forcing your A/C to work harder. Do more of your cooking with a microwave or slow cooker to keep the kitchen cool. Better yet, use the summer heat as an excuse to fire up the old backyard barbeque. Outdoor grilling is a summertime tradition for a reason—you can cook delicious meats and veggies while keeping the heat outside.

Tip 2: Energy Recon

A home energy monitor can give you real-time data on your energy usage. You can determine which of your appliances are gobbling up the most energy. You can conduct experiments to help you save energy. Also, you can monitor your usage for a certain time period. When you see how and when you’re using energy, you can find ways to save.

Tip 3: Cool Your Bulbs

Switching to LED lightbulbs can help you save in multiple ways. ENERGY STAR® certified bulbs use at least 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. Plus, LEDs don’t give off as much heat as traditional bulbs, so they can help keep cooling costs down.

Tip 4: Throw Some Shade

During the dog days of summer, window shades can really help your energy consumption. In rooms without direct sunlight, you can pop those shades up and use the sun to light this part of your home. In rooms with direct sunlight, do the opposite: Drop your shades to keep the room nice and comfortable.

Tip 5: Location. Location. Location.

Be mindful of where you place appliances that give off heat. When placed near a thermostat, lamps with incandescent bulbs and some TVs can make it difficult for your thermostat to get a good reading. This means your A/C might work harder than necessary to keep you comfortable.

So there you have it. Hopefully these tips and tricks will help you—and your energy bill—beat the heat during these summer months. Discover even more ways to save with PPL.