It’s August, and it’s hot. Not just hot, but that thick, sweltering, “we’ve already dealt with this for two months” kind of hot. Autumn’s crispness is just around the corner, but until then, hang in there — and save energy — with these seven simple tips for tackling summer’s heat.

1Shift your use. Use major appliances, like dishwashers, as well as, clothes washers and dryers, during early morning or late evening and overnight hours. These big appliances generate heat and introduce moisture to your home, and that’s an introduction you don’t want to make during the hottest part of the day.

2Keep kitchens cool. An indoor stove or oven can raise the temperature in your kitchen by as much as 5 to 10 degrees, which is just way too much at this point in the summer. Take advantage of an outdoor grill or indoor microwave or crockpot instead. Another option — all salads all the time.

3Turn it off. Lights, particularly incandescent lights, and common household appliances generate heat when they are on and in use. Consider switching to more efficient bulbs like LEDs (light emitting diodes), which generate much less heat. You can also go the extra mile by unplugging appliances when they’re not in use. Think computers, game consoles, and televisions.

4Feel the breeze. Use portable fans or ceiling fans to chill out. Make sure ceiling fans are running counterclockwise to push cool air down. Although fans don’t technically change the room temperature, they can make you feel 3 to 4 degrees cooler — a definite win!

5Keep the sunshine out. Close blinds, shades, and curtains, especially on windows that get direct sun, to block light and heat.

6Introduce an open door policy. Keep the doors to rooms inside your home open so that air can flow through naturally. The teens in your home will love this one.

7Replace and remove. Replace dirty air filters to increase your HVAC system’s efficiency and the airflow within your home. Removing furniture, rugs, or other obstructions from your return registers also helps.