With the warmer weather, summer provides a relief from the high cost of heating your home. But that’s no reason to think your utility bills will cool down. The season brings its own utility expenses, including the cost of air conditioning, increased water needs and more.

How to save? RisMedia, a real estate information company, offers these tips:

Install a programmable thermostat: There’s no point in cooling the house when you’re away at work. Programmable thermostats allow you to turn off the air conditioning while you’re gone and resume cooling the home just before you return at night.

Use window film: Closing blinds and curtains in the day can help keep the home cool, but it also leaves you in the dark. Using window film allows you to see out the windows and block the sun at the same time.

Clean air filters: Dirty air filters make the cooling system less efficient. Clean the air filters regularly.

Collect rainwater: Position rain barrels at the end of your gutter downspout to collect the water as it flows out. That water can then be used for your garden.

Use mulch in the garden: Mulch helps prevent water from evaporating and allows plants more time to absorb it, reducing your overall water use.

Avoid the oven: Ovens and stoves heat up the home. Consider making meals such as salads and sandwiches that don’t involve these appliances during the hot summer months.