Cooking in the summer can be a daunting task, but using the right appliances can help alleviate some heat. Try using your toaster oven to cook easy dinners like salmon and green beans or use your microwave to cut down the amount of time you need to cook protein like beef or poultry.

Small kitchen appliances, such as your toaster oven or microwave use less energy than an oven and they won’t heat up the house, which helps to cut down air-conditioning costs.

You can also take the cooking outside, using a grill or barbecue. This can be a fun way to get everyone outdoors to enjoy the summer scenery. Make sure to prepare all of your food ahead of time: chop vegetables, marinate protein, gather your tools and then fire up the grill.

If you must use your oven, remember to refrain from opening the door. This allows heat to escape the oven, increasing cook time and heating up your home.

Once it’s time to clean up, consider using your dishwasher to help save time and energy. Scrape excess food off plates and into the trash or garbage disposal and load dishes straight into the dishwasher. Skipping the rinse can save up to 6,000 gallons a year. Lastly, you can save energy by using the "air dry" setting on your dishwasher to allow your dishes to dry without added heat.