I hope you are having a wonderful summer. Looking for ways to slash your utility bills this summertime? Time to save some cash, don’t you think? You can save money throughout the year, but the warm temperatures of summer provide some strategies that don’t apply in the winter months.

Check out these summer utility bill saving tips:

• Turn off the air conditioning. This tip doesn’t mean you have to suffer through sweltering heat, but you should be aware of the weather so that you can maximize efficiency and save money by using the AC only when needed. Turn off the A/C at night and open a few windows to let the cool breeze in from outside. Upon waking up, close the blinds to keep the cool air inside. Don’t forget to check your utility provider’s summertime time of use rates to help reduce your monthly energy costs.

• Cook outside. Using the stove or baking in the oven can create a lot of excess heat that has nowhere to go except in your house. Have fun using your outdoor grill this summer. Check out these steps to get your BBQ grill ready for summer.

• Let your laundry dry outside. If you can hang up laundry outside (not every homeowners’ association or rental property allows this), let the sun and warm summer breeze do the drying for you.

• Take advantage of extended evenings. Instead of retiring to the couch to stream a show, use the extended daylight hours to enjoy the great outdoors. Go out for exercise, do some gardening, enjoy the view from your backyard patio.

• Look around the house for any gaps and if so, weatherstrip doors and windows.

Saving now and again can allow you to get those extras through out the summer, and can add up considerably, allowing you to go out somewhere you wouldn’t normally. Did you find this post helpful? Don’t forget to comment below.