Each month, MLGW records an electric system peak based on simultaneous electricity use among its 400,000-plus customers.

Electricity use is highest in Shelby County on weekday afternoons and early evenings. The wide-range is noon to 8 p.m., although the highest part of the curve is usually between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. In addition to these being the warmest hours of the day, these are also the hours when homes, stores, offices and all other buildings are collectively using the most electricity simultaneously.

As a result, these times of peak usage represent your best opportunity to reduce your energy consumption. Find out more about peak usage, how you can reduce it, and let us know your opinions via a new survey at http://www.mlgw.com/peakalerts.