Summer has started, but it’s not too late to take some simple steps that can reduce your energy use and help you save money during the hottest time of the year.

Here are nine cool ways to beat the heat:

• Set thermostats to 78 degrees or higher and use ceiling fans while in the room. Raising the thermostat by 2 degrees can reduce air-conditioning use by 10 percent. The cost of running a ceiling fan is minimal.

• Small appliances such as a microwave, electric frying pan or toaster oven use about one-third the power of an oven broiler, and reduce heat in the kitchen. Try using these along with an outdoor grill in place of the oven for more cost-effective and cooler summer cooking.

• Using a kitchen exhaust fan for no more than 15 minutes after cooking can aid in removing heat and moisture. After 15 minutes, however, the fan begins to pull cool air out of the home.

• Cleaning or replacing air filters every 30 days will increase the efficiency and longevity of your cooling system.

• Replace dripping faucets to keep water use down and save on water costs. This can also reduce the energy used to heat water.

• Give your air conditioner a break by using an exhaust fan or opening a window during a hot shower to remove heat and moisture from the bathroom. Be sure to keep the bathroom door closed.

• Keep blinds, shades and draperies on the sunny side of the house closed to reduce the amount of heat entering your home.

• Wait to do household chores such as mopping, washing dishes and running the clothes dryer until the cooler part of the day. This will help reduce moisture and heat in the house.

• Use caulk and weatherstripping in places where cool air can escape. This will also help save money during the winter by keeping heated air inside.

Alabama Power, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), provides reliable electricity to more than 1.4 million customer at a total retail price that has been below the national average for decades. Learn more at www.alabamapower.com.