While natural gas consumption is slightly increasing overall, it is actually decreasing slightly in the electric power sector.

According to the latest “Natural Gas Monthly,” published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. natural gas consumption averaged a record 92.0 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in 2025, increasing two percent (1.7 Bcf/d) from 2024.

The electric power sector, which is the largest sector in terms of natural gas usage, decreased 1.0 Bcf/d from 2024.

The industrial sector, the second largest sector in terms of natural gas usage, increased a modest 0.2 Bfc/d.

The residential and commercial sector, the smallest sector in terms of natural gas usage, increased 2.2 Bcf/d.

U.S. natural gas consumption typically peaks during the winter heating season (November–March), when colder temperatures increase demand for space heating in the residential and commercial sectors. The top five months of record-high consumption since 1998 all occurred during these winter months because of sustained cold weather.

“As heating degree days increase, demand for space heating rises leading to higher total consumption,” said the EIA report. “Colder conditions can also contribute to higher natural gas usage in the electric power sector when electricity demand from electric heat pumps and resistance heaters increases and natural gas-fired generation helps meet peak winter electricity loads.”

As noted, natural gas consumption by the electric power sector decreased in 2025 compared with 2024. The United States also registered 73 fewer cooling degree days over the summer months (May–August) in 2025. The decline in electric power consumption of natural gas also reflected rapid solar and battery additions in 2025, which displaced natural gas-fired generation during many hours of the day. Electric power use declined the most in March and August, by 2.9 Bcf/d and 2.8 Bcf/d, respectively. “Electric power usage typically peaks during the summer months when higher air-conditioning demand increases electricity generation, much of which is fueled by natural gas,” said the EIA report.

Despite the year-over-year decrease, overall demand for natural gas power generation has trended upward over the last decade, increasing from 27.3 Bcf/d in 2016 to 35.8 Bcf/d in 2025.

Consumption by the industrial sector, the second-largest consumer of natural gas, has also grown steadily, but at a lower rate compared with demand from the electric power sector over the past ten years, increasing from 21.1 Bcf/d in 2016 to 23.6 Bcf/d in 2025.

As noted, residential and commercial consumption accounted for most of the year-over-year increase. In 2025, annual residential consumption averaged 13.3 Bcf/d, 11 percent more than 2024, and commercial consumption averaged 9.9 Bcf/d, ten percent more, reflecting colder winter conditions in 2025.