This morning before 8 a.m., it was 80 degrees.

Last week it was on the cool side for June. This mean it is time to turn on the air conditioner.

To save money but still stay cool, close the blinds or drapes and run the fan. This way the air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard. The newer more efficient energy star air conditioners make a difference in your electric bill. Just because it is 90 outside, doesn’t mean that you need to have your air conditioning set at 68. Air-conditioning units also remove humidity from the air so a 72 or 74 degree setting with a fan going and shades drawn will make it very comfortable inside.

If you have peak periods of sun near your home, keep the curtains drawn during that time. Even if it is early, the sun can really heat up your home and your air conditioner will have to work harder. Generally, there is enough outside light, so you don’t have to turn the lights on either.

Fans do not use as much electricity as air conditioning units. If you aren’t home during the day, use a timer to turn the ac on an hour or so before you get there, so the house will be cooler. Keep the shades and blinds closed during the day so that your home won’t be as hot.

For walkers, runners and bikers, don’t go out in the peak of the day unless you have to, and drink plenty of water.

Stay cool!

The fall days are cooler, but not so cool that you want to turn on the heat just yet. 

One thing that you could do is to use your oven to make a meal for yourself or your family and then use the heat from the oven to warm up your house a little bit. This way your oven is doing double duty. You may not think that your oven will give off that much heat, but how many people like to make casseroles or bake chicken or a roast in the summer?

If you live in an apartment where you have no direct control over the heat, using your oven to cook will give you an opportunity to get a little heat going.

Also by cooking you could make a larger quantity and freeze some smaller portions for future dinners. Unless you hare having a few people over, you probably don’t’ want to go through the hassle of making a pan of lasagna just for one person. Instead you could make a pan and then cut up the lasagna and place it into containers to make it easier to have less expensive meals in the future.

Not big on casseroles or food you have to cook in the oven. Even if you are boiling water for pasta or heating water in a tea kettle on the stove top, you will still generate some heat although this heat will only be localized in the kitchen. 

Being frugal means living within your means. So, if it is above 55 degrees or so you can probably tolerate not having the heat on at home. Put on another sweater, wear long sleeves, use a throw when you are watching television. Then when it really is time to turn on the heat, you can try to set your thermostat at a little lower temperature so you do not have to endure really high heating bills.

Do not turn on the oven just for heat, it is wasteful. If you want to knock the chill off the house but don’t want to turn on the heat, roast some peanuts, or pumpkin seeds. Slow roast a turkey breast for another day, bake something (cookies from a tube, brownies), but just don’t waste heat in order to warm your house.