Two straight months of rising inflation have put a strain on consumers’ wallets heading into the summer. Soaring gas prices alone have caused around half of Americans to cut back on household expenses to afford fuel. Gas or groceries – it’s a dreaded decision, but there may be other ways to reduce spending that don’t involve necessities. Utility bills, which are projected to rise 8 percent this summer, may be that magic area, said Patrick Gambel, owner of New Orleans-based General Heating & Air Conditioning. “In most homes, electricity usually has the biggest potential for savings, mainly because of the AC and heating systems,” Gambel told The Independent in an email. “Your HVAC system is one of the biggest things using energy in your house, especially during the summer when the AC is running almost all day.” Experts told The Independent there are several common-sense and unconventional ways to cut back on utility bills this summer.…