Despite the record-breaking heat in some parts of the country, total U.S. energy consumption this summer has actually fallen compared to 2009, and peak demand levels–when electricity consumption is at its highest–have dropped as well.

The likely reason, says DailyFinance, probably has more to do with industries becoming more energy efficient than with regular folk leaving their air conditioners off. But that has an effect on consumers as well, because it will help keep electricity prices down:

The lower demand this summer could be bad news for power generators. Fitch Ratings expects that abundant supplies of natural gas will keep wholesale electricity prices low through 2012 and the U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates that retail prices will rise by only 0.8 percent in 2010, their lowest gain since 2000.

“Despite Hot Summer, Electricity Consumption Unexpectedly Cools” [DailyFinance]

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