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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - The heat is cranking up, so your air conditioning use will as well. There are some simple things you can do to save money.

Late-May can often feel like Summer already here in the Mid State. The days of having the heat on are done for now until the fall, but using air conditioning can be very costly.

The hotter it gets, the more frequently your AC system will run. NES suggests setting your thermostat between 76-78 degrees. While that might be too warm for some folks during the summer, setting your thermostat above 72 can help tremendously.

Heating and Cooling make up most of the electrical use in a household.(wsmv)

“Even just a few degrees higher than the most comfortable setting is a step in the right direction,” a spokesperson for NES told WSMV4.

Because cooling makes up such a large portion of household electrical use, NES suggests keeping your outside unit free of debris and grass clippings, getting your HVAC system serviced every year, and making sure to clean or replace air filters regularly.

Your water heater is typically the second largest component of your energy bill. You should have this serviced each year as well to clean the filter of any debris. Taking cooler showers and using cold water for laundry can save you money.

If you keep your temperature higher to avoid constantly running the AC, you can run the ceiling fan to keep you cool, you just have to make sure it’s on the right setting.

During the summer, your fan should turn counterclockwise to produce cool air.(wsmv)

During the summer, your ceiling fan’s blades should spin counterclockwise so that the air is forced down producing cool air. There is normally a switch on your ceiling fan that lets you easily change the direction the blades spin.

NES also suggests keeping curtains and blinds closed on the sunny side of your home to block out heat in the summer. Open them on the shady side for a free light source. In the winter, keep blinds open during the day to let direct sunlight generate warmth. Close them at night to hold in the heat.