Heating and air conditioning bills are one of the biggest expenses in running your home. So as we head into one of the hottest months of the year, here are a few money-saving ideas to help you and your family stay cool—and right on budget:

Get in the Zone: Create heating and cooling zones that allow parts of your house to stay warmer and cooler than others. It’s a great way to save both energy and money. If your home has a ducted system and wasn’t originally designed with a zone system in mind, you can have a professional install a series of motorized dampers in certain ducts that will create a zone effect.

Install Room Air Conditioning Units: Install a window or portable unit in the room or area of your home where your family spends the most time. Then, use only that unit while in that room and switch off your central air conditioning.

Inspect Your Ductwork: Research shows central heating and cooling systems using ductwork can lose as much as 30 percent of their energy through air leaks—a simple, inexpensive repair. It is important to have your ductwork inspected by a contractor every three years to make sure your system is operating at maximum efficiency.

Install Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs): Not only do HRVs get rid of air contaminants like odors, dust and mold, they also grab much of the cold or heat from the outgoing air and recycle it back into your home with the incoming fresh air. These units are especially helpful if your home is tightly sealed.

For even more great home tips and ways to save during the rest of the summer season, visit www.HomeTips.com.

Sources: EnergyStar.gov, HomeTips.com, This Old House