Natural gas futures have risen to 132% so far this year and industry experts have warned it, along with retail prices, could go higher if it's a very cold winter, causing Americans to use more heat. US households that rely on natural gas for heating could spend an average of $746 to heat their homes this winter,
up 30% from last winter, according to the Energy Information Administration. Retail natural gas prices are expected to hit the highest levels
since the winter of 2005-2006.
Households are expected to spend 54% more for propane, 43% more for home heating oil, 30% more for natural gas and 6% more for electric heating compared to a last winter, according to a
report from the EIA released last month.