Natural Gas Prices and consumption are expected to keep rising during winter, according to the latest Short-Term Energy Outlook published by the US Energy Information Administration. Gas-fired heating systems have been a popular option for homes and businesses: they use a fuel that is delivered as a utility service, and their operating costs are low under normal conditions. However, natural gas prices have increased dramatically in 2022, and heating systems that use gas are losing their cost advantage. The combination of solar power and high-efficiency heat pumps is now a viable option for building owners.