By grilling outside, you’ll be reducing the amount of heat that builds up from using the oven in your home. This will save your air conditioner from working overtime, which in turn will save you money on your power bill.

In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy suggests you avoid using the oven on any hot day, not just the Fourth of July, to keep home temperatures down. Instead, limit indoor cooking to the stovetop or microwave oven.

The DOE offers the following tips to avoid heat buildup in the home:

•Take advantage of daylight, but avoid direct sunlight

•Install efficient lighting that runs cooler, like compact fluorescent light bulbs

•Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes

•Take short showers instead of baths

•Use spot ventilation in the kitchen and bathroom to remove the heat and humidity from your home

“Even devices like televisions, stereos and computers will add some heat to your home,” says Vice President of Retail Operations Zack Dusenbury. “It’s important to be aware of the kinds of conveniences that might be costing you comfort, especially during these dog days of summer.”

Santee Cooper is South Carolina’s state-owned electric and water utility, and the state’s largest power producer, supplying electricity to more than 163,000 retail customers in Berkeley, Georgetown, and Horry counties, as well as to 31 large industrial facilities, the cities of Bamberg and Georgetown, and the Charleston Air Force Base. Santee Cooper also generates the power distributed by the state’s 20 electric cooperatives to more than 685,000 customers in all 46 counties. Approximately 2 million South Carolinians receive their power directly or indirectly from Santee Cooper. The utility also provides water to 137,000 consumers in Berkeley and Dorchester counties, and the town of Santee. For more inf