October 13, 2025 | A 5-Minute Read for Restaurant Owners

Welcome to your weekly energy briefing from GWT2Energy. We know you're busy, so we've distilled the latest energy market news and forecasts into a quick, actionable summary to help you stay ahead of costs and make informed decisions for your restaurant.

Key Market Updates

Last week, the energy markets saw continued volatility, with natural gas prices showing a slight increase as we head deeper into the fall season. According to the latest Short-Term Energy Outlook from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the Henry Hub natural gas spot price is projected to average $3.40 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) for 2025, a significant increase from 2024's average of $2.20/MMBtu [1].

For restaurants, this translates to higher electricity and heating costs. The commercial sector is expected to see electricity prices average 13.5 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), with retail electricity rates forecasted to climb another 3.5% in 2026 [2]. With hospitality energy costs having already jumped 12% in 2024, managing energy consumption is more critical than ever.

Winter 2025-2026 Forecast

Looking ahead to the winter, the EIA anticipates natural gas prices will continue to rise, peaking around $4.10/MMBtu in January 2026 [1]. While U.S. natural gas production is running higher than previously expected, which has helped to build storage levels, the increased demand for heating and LNG exports will likely keep upward pressure on prices. Restaurants should prepare for higher energy bills during the winter months and take proactive steps to mitigate these costs.

Energy Saving Tip of the Week: HVAC Optimization

Your Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system is one of the largest energy consumers in your restaurant. Simple, regular maintenance can lead to significant savings. Change your air filters regularly—clogged filters make your system work harder and use more energy. Also, consider installing a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust temperatures during off-hours, reducing consumption by up to 10-15%.

Take Control of Your Energy Costs

In deregulated energy markets, you have the power to choose your energy supplier. At GWT2Energy, we help restaurants like yours secure competitive energy rates through our reverse auction bid software. By having suppliers compete for your business, you can lock in a lower rate and gain budget certainty.

If you have questions about the market, want to explore your energy procurement options, or are looking for more ways to save, please contact us.

Contact us today for a free analysis!

Email: info@gwt2energy.com

References

[1] U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2025, October 7). Short-Term Energy Outlook. Retrieved from https://www.eia.gov/outlooks/steo/​

[2] TPI Efficiency. (2025, October 8). Impact of 2025/2026 Winter on Energy Prices. Retrieved from https://tpiefficiency.com/impact-of-2025-2026-winter-on-energy-prices/​

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Data is from industry publications and proprietary market analysis. All forecasts and recommendations are based on current market conditions and are subject to change.

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