Creative Ways To Use Less Fuel This Summer

Fuel costs are approaching record highs, which means summer gas and energy bills could border on unaffordable. There isn’t much you can do about the cost of gas, oil, and electricity, but you do have control over how much energy you use. To ensure your savings account doesn’t disintegrate this summer due to rising energy costs, it's a good idea to think of creative ways to use less fuel.

To save money at the pump, use your bicyle for nearby errands and make detailed bi-monthly grocery lists to reduce your trips to the market. Carpool and use the most fuel-efficient car in your driveway, and make your outdoor spaces more enjoyable so you can spend more time at home. Grill in bulk to use less propane, and optimize air conditioning by improving insulation and adjusting your thermostat.

Fuel costs and electric bills can completely alter your household budget. If rising energy costs have you worried about how you’re going to manage your finances, it’s time to get proactive. Rising costs are scary, but the good news is there are easy and creative ways to use less fuel and energy throughout the summer. 

13 Ways To Use Less Fuel And Save Money This Summer

1. Start Using Your Bicyle For Household Errands

One of the best ways to lower your fuel costs in the summer is to use your car less. One great habit is riding your bike. It's great exercise, and it’s also a great way to reach nearby stores and appointments. Instead of driving your car one or two miles to run quick errands, consider riding your bike to these locations instead. While one ride won’t save you a ton on gas, the miles will add up over time. You will use less gas, and your body will thank you.

2. Make A Detailed Bi-Monthly Shopping List

Cars make grocery shopping a lot easier. Unfortunately, frequent trips to the store can burn a lot of fuel. If you find yourself visiting the grocery store multiple times per week, consider changing your shopping habits. Create a detailed shopping list, and plan a trip to the grocery store once every two weeks, rather than multiple times per week. Making a thoughtful list can help you save money on groceries, ensure you won’t forget any neccesities, so you have all the food you need.

3. Swap Out The Family Road Trip For A Vacation Rental

Many families take a summer vacation. Historically, road trips have been a great budget-friendly option. With fuel costs skyrocketing, however, you might want to reconsider long drives. Instead of extensive road trips in gas-guzzling vehicles, consider a vacation rental where you won’t need a car. Beach houses or apartments in exotic locations might cost a bit more up front, but if you can find a place where you won’t need a car, you may save money in the long run.

4. Optimize Air Conditioning

Air conditioning doesn't run on gasoline, but electricity prices tend to spike shortly after gas and oil prices rise. You might want to be extra mindful of your electricity usage in the summer. Your air conditioner uses more energy than almost any other appliance, so do all you can to optimize it. Ensure it’s well-maintained and functioning flawlessly, and keep the temperature in a sweet spot where it isn’t working too hard but still keeps the house comfortable (usually around 78 degrees).

5. Use The Vehicle With Best Gas Mileage 

If your household has more than one vehicle in the driveway, prioritize the one that gets better gas mileage. When fuel prices are high, use gas-guzzling trucks and SUVs as sparingly as possible. Instead, share the more fuel-efficient car with your family members or loved one, as this can save your household a lot of money at the pump each month.

6. Make Your Outdoor Spaces More Enjoyable

One great way to use less gas is to stay at home more. If you find yourself going on drives and visiting parks out of boredom, it’s time to make your property more appealing to you and your family. Transforming your backyard into a tranquil oasis is a great way to encourage everyone to stay home. You can purchase an inflatable pool, set up sports nets, or create a slip-and-slide. Spending more time in your yard this summer is a great way to lower your fuel dependency.

7. Invest In Solar Panels

Fossil fuel and electricity costs aren’t expected to significantly decrease in the future. Instead, they are likely to continue rising steadily, which means alternative energy sources are a good idea. Solar panels are a great option for those who live in sunny climates. While these panels are initially costly to install, they pay for themselves over time. Solar energy isn’t likely to power your entire home, but it can help lower your monthly electric bill and even add value to your home.

8. Grill Food In Bulk

Summer is the grilling season. If you and your family love barbequing meat and veggies all summer long, consider grilling a lot of food at once each week (or twice a week) rather than every day. It takes time and fuel to heat a grill. If you cook in bulk, you’ll save a lot of money on propane tanks by barbequing more food in one session rather than constantly heating your grill.

9. Invest In Electric Lawn Equipment

Landscaping can use a lot of gas, especially if you have a large, demanding lawn. If you need a new mower or weed whacker, you might want to consider fuel-efficient options. There are many great electric weed whackers on the market. You can also look into an electric push mower. While there are pros and cons to these fuel-efficient mowers, one great benefit is that they can help you save on energy costs over time.

10. Utilize Your Crock Pot And Electric Appliances

Your stove and oven use a lot of energy. If you have a gas range, then you can expect your gas bill to be higher than normal when fuel costs spike. To mitigate these higher prices, find ways to utilize your electric kitchen appliances. Your crockpot to slow-cook food instead of turning on the oven can save you a ton of money this summer. Air fryers and griddles can also help you save money and keep your kitchen cool on hot days.

11. Adjust Your Water Heater Setting

As the days grow warmer, the need for a steaming hot shower becomes less urgent. You might want to adjust your water heater setting. By lowering the temperature by 20 degrees or more, you will notice savings on your monthly energy bill. If you don’t need a super-hot shower, adjusting your water heater can help offset rising energy costs.

12. Use Insulating Curtains Or Blinds 

Another simple way to combat rising fuel costs is to keep the heat out of your home with insulating curtains or blinds. Summer heat can increase the temperature in your home rapidly if left unchecked. By blocking the sun during the hottest times of the day, your air conditioner won’t have to work nearly as hard. 

13. Host More Dinners Instead Of Dining Out

Eating at home instead of in a restaurant is a great way to save money. As fuel prices rise, so does the cost of dining out. This summer, consider hosting more dinners at home rather than constantly meeting your friends out. If you have a nice yard, the summer is the perfect time to enjoy it with some company. If you don’t want to constantly foot the food bill, consider potluck-style dinners.

Wrapping Up Creative Ways to Use Less Fuel This Summer

Rising fuel costs can spark anxiety and dread, especially when you own a home and a car. Even though you don’t set gas prices, you do have a say in how much fuel and energy you use. To help reduce the amount of money you spend on fuel and energy this summer, ride your bike to run errands, and make fewer trips to the grocery store. Host gatherings at home rather than going out, and consider renting a vacation home instead of taking a road trip.

If you have more than one family car, use the fuel-efficient one. When you grill, consider cooking in bulk so you don’t have to use the barbeque every night. Maximizing your air conditioner and lowering the temperature of your water heater can also help you use less energy.

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