We hope you’ve been able to stay cool during the heat wave in Michigan this week, and we’ve got more tips to help you keep comfortable and safe while also minding your pocketbook.

If you need assistance, seek out cooling centers from your local government or head to a mall or other publicly available place that’s air conditioned.

We encourage Michiganders to use energy wisely and in a way that prioritizes safety from extreme temperatures during periods of high heat which can stress the power grid. Simple steps — turning up the temperature on your home air conditioning a few degrees while still ensuring your comfort, using zoned AC when possible to cool only the spaces you are occupying, making sure your windows are closed when your AC is on, doing laundry or running the dishwasher during morning or late evening hours, limiting use of the oven — can all help make sure there’s enough electricity for everyone during periods of high energy demand and, very importantly, keep you safe.

There are lots of ways, large and small, to help keep temperatures — and energy bills — manageable. The MPSC’s Beat the Heat and Save tip sheet has information on how to help keep your home cooler and take steps to minimize the impact on your energy bills, among them:

• Close curtains and shades on windows during the day to keep the sun from heating the inside of your home.
• During moderate temperatures, use fans and open windows. 
• Set your air conditioner higher during the hours when you’re not home. Even a small increase in the temperature setting can result in meaningful savings in energy costs.
• Make sure you keep your AC system free of leaves and other debris, have the system serviced regularly, replace your air filter monthly or as needed, and shut off vents to unused or unoccupied rooms to help reduce your cooling costs. 
• Consider serving cool foods like sandwiches, salads and cold side dishes so you don’t have to use your oven or stove when it’s excessively hot outside or using a crock pot or outdoor grill. But if you do cook in the kitchen, use an exhaust fan to blow hot air out. 
• Use dishwashers, ovens, washers and dryers and other energy-intensive appliances during the morning or later in the evening to help reduce stress on the electric grid during the hottest daytime hours. The state’s two largest electric utilities, DTE Electric and Consumers Energy, institute higher rates during summertime peak weekday hours, so customers who use energy-intensive appliances during morning or late evening hours will pay less to use them. 

Planning on being out and about? Drink plenty of fluids, limit outdoor exposure outside of cooler morning and evening hours, wear sunscreen and choose lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing. Remember to check on vulnerable relatives and neighbors, and never leave children or pets unattended in cars, even with the windows cracked. 

The middle of a heat wave may not seem like the right time to be thinking about warmth this winter, but June is when Michiganders who use propane for home heating should start looking to lock in contracts with their propane providers.

Propane users should shop around for the best deal, research options and ask any questions you have. Get contract terms in writing.

Shopping now helps ensure families will have an adequate supply of propane when the weather turns cold, without risking higher prices by waiting until later in the year.

Check out the MPSC’s news release on the 2024 propane season for things to consider when shopping for propane, ways energy efficiency steps can help reduce your winter energy costs, and other helpful information.

As the MPSC works to increase public accessibility and community engagement in regulatory matters, the MPSC took its June 6 Commission meeting on the road to Grand Rapids. 

The June 6 meeting was the second time in recent years that the MPSC has held a regular Commission meeting outside of Lansing, having held one in July 2022 in Detroit. The Commission heard from residents with concerns about a proposed transmission line, energy affordability and accessibility and other matters. 

Commissioners and MPSC Staff met with community organizations including the Grand Rapids Chamber and the Community Collaboration on Climate Change.

Gasoline, natural gas, diesel fuel and home heating oil are all expected to be lower this summer than a year ago, but some Michigan utility customers have seen an increase in electricity costs.

Those are among the top findings of the Michigan Public Service Commission’s 2024 Summer Energy Outlook. The MPSC’s Energy Security Section each summer puts together projections for energy costs for the upcoming season, and this year’s report finds Michiganders can expect some price relief.

Learn more about the energy appraisal at the MPSC’s website.

Michiganders have a choice when it comes to how they get natural gas. You can rely on your utility – Consumers Energy, DTE Gas, Michigan Gas Utilities and SEMCO Energy — or you can think about contracting with a licensed alternative gas supplier (AGS).

The MPSC wants to make sure natural gas customers are fully informed about the benefits and risks. If you’re considering an AGS, you can learn more at the MPSC’s Natural Gas Customer Choice webpage, which includes information on licensed suppliers in each utility’s service territory. You can also go to the MPSC’s Compare MI Gas website, which has answers to frequently asked questions about gas customer choice.

The MPSC also encourages customers to understand terms and ask questions before signing a contract. Customers can ask:

• Whether the provider is licensed by the MPSC.
• What rate will be charged, and whether it will change from month to month.
• How long a contract lasts, and what happens when it expires.
• How to cancel, and any penalties for early termination.