According to Glacial Energy, one of the fastest growing retail energy marketers in the U.S., in the residential and commercial sectors heating and cooling account for more than 40 percent of end-use energy demand. As a result, energy consumption in these sectors can vary significantly from year to year, or season to season.

The seasonal pattern of energy and electricity consumption typically exhibits two peaks, in winter and summer. Higher temperatures in summer increase energy demand for cooling and add pressure to the electricity grid during peak periods of demand.  As we use more energy there is less energy available, making it more valuable.

Energy providers like Glacial Energy know this can cause a "heat island effect " which may be responsible for 5–10% of the summer peak electricity demand for cooling buildings in cities. The "heat island effect" occurs as urban areas develop changing the landscape as buildings, roads, and other infrastructure replace open land and vegetation. Although decreasing energy demand takes everyone, individual residential and commercial energy users can do their part, and even save some money. Some quick summer energy saving tips include: ?

• Turn up your thermostat – Set your thermostat to 78 degrees when you are home and 85 degrees or off when you are away. Using ceiling or room fans allows you to set the thermostat higher because the air movement will cool the room. Always take into account health considerations and be sure to drink plenty of fluids in warm weather. ?

• Be a speedy chef – Nothing is more energy efficient for cooking than your microwave. It uses two-thirds less energy than your stove, and produces a lot less heat. ?

• Fill up the fridge – Having lots of food in your fridge keeps it from warming up too fast when the door is open. So your fridge doesn't have to work as hard to stay cool. ?

• Operating swimming pool filters and cleaning sweeps efficiently – reduce the operating time of your pool filter and automatic cleaning sweep to four to five hours, and only during off-peak time.

 If you're a residential electric customer in Michigan, you can benefit with Glacial and enjoy greater savings when you switch to Glacial Energy.  In fact, you can receive your first month of energy for free if you're one of the first 5,000 people who sign up to become a Glacial Energy residential customer by visiting www.switchtoglacial.com.