U.S. natural gas consumption averaged 88.5 Bcf/d last year, an all-time high in records dating back to 1949, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

The federal agency said natural gas consumption peaked last year in January and July. EIA noted that natural gas peaks twice a year in the United States, driven by the residential and commercial sectors during the winter and the electric power sector during the summer.

In winter, the most natural gas is consumed in January or February when demand for space heating peaks. In summer, the most natural gas is consumed typically in July or August to meet air-conditioning demand.

[Mexico Matters: Cross-border energy trade between the U.S. and Mexico reached $42 billion last year. Understand this burgeoning trade flow...