Spring is a time when the leaves turn green and the flowers bloom. It is also a time when the weather starts to warm up in preparation for summer.

The changes in temperature and humidity can make people feel hot and uncomfortable so they turn to air conditioning to cool them off. The increased use of air conditioning and other cooling devices that use electricity can increase your energy bill significantly.

Here are 3 tips to help you save energy.

#1 – Open the Windows – Opening your windows lets cool air in from the outside. The breeze helps circulate the air inside your house so that it doesn’t feel hot and stuffy.

It also naturally cools your house so you won’t have to resort to using the air conditioning anymore.

Using a ceiling fan while your windows are open is also a good idea as moving air can feel cooler on your skin. The energy expended when using ceiling or oscillating fans are significantly lower than using air conditioning.

#2 – Take Your Cooking Outside – It is no secret that cooking increases the temperature in the kitchen. If your kitchen is not closed off from the rest of the house or if you don’t have a proper cooling system installed in the kitchen, it can make the rest of the house feel hot.

Take your cooking outside by using an outdoor grill. After you are done with the cooking and the grilling you can have an outdoor picnic as well. Dining al fresco can feel cooler than dining inside the house.

#3 – Check Your Appliances – Have your air conditioner and electric fans checked and serviced to ensure that it is working properly.

Clean the hair and dust build up from the condenser coils of your refrigerator so that the motor does not work harder to cool off the items inside.

Ensure that the seals of your refrigerator are tight and clean so that the cool air within does not escape and the warm air from the outside does not seep in.

Make sure that your appliances have the Energy Star label. Appliances with this label may be a bit pricier than those appliances without the label but are generally more efficient at using energy. This can save you a lot of money in the long run.

Take advantage of the warmer weather and spend time outdoors to cool yourself off instead of staying in an air conditioned room.

The fresh air will do your body good and you can save up on your energy bills as well.