Running the air conditioner can be so expensive these days that you might start rooting for a short summer. Energy prices are insane and few appliances rival the AC when it comes to sucking juice from the outlet.

Luckily, there are a few easy things you can do to decrease energy consumption when you need to cool things down. Following recommendations like these little gems will allow you to keep more money in your pocket for summer fun while simultaneously conserving natural resources. That’s a nice combination of advantages, don’t you think?

Without further ado, here are four great ways to beat the heat without taking a financial beating.

First, don’t run the AC when you’re not there to enjoy it. Why are you paying for your air conditioner to cool your home while you’re at work? Unless you feel an overwhelming urge to maintain a seventy-two degree temperature for your houseplants, adjust the thermostat when you walk out the door in the morning. If you’re sickened by the idea of coming home to a blast furnace, you can buy a timer system that will allow things to kick into gear just in time to cool things for your triumphant return every day.

Second, protect your air conditioner from the heat. Air conditioners run far more efficiently when they’re not getting walloped by the rays of the sun. If you can position your unit in the shade or provide shade with shrubbery, fencing or trees you can cut your energy consumption considerably. A word of warning, though. In order for the AC to do its job, it needs good air circulation. Protect your cooling system, but never do anything to restrict airflow.

Third, live a cooler life indoors. If you’re acting in a way that increases the internal temperature of your home or apartment, the AC is going to need to work that much harder to keep things comfy. Stop running your clothes dryer when it’s hot. Consider a cookout instead of heating the oven to three hundred and fifty degrees. If you’re about to use a major appliance that generates heat, try to come up with an alternative.

Finally, don’t bother reducing the temp in the hinterlands. If you have rooms that you don’t really use, close the doors. Close the air conditioner vents. Don’t waste the cold air on an empty basement or guest room. No one is going to enjoy it and you’re certainly going to regret it when the electric company sends the monthly bill.

By taking a few simple steps like these, you can reduce the amount of money you spend to maintain a comfortable home. Running the air conditioner is never going to be dirt cheap, but you don’t need to spend a fortune to stop sweating through the summer.