Average Utility Costs by Province
| Province | Electricity (/mo) | Natural Gas (/mo) | Water (/mo) | Total Utilities | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $120–$170 | $90–$140 | $50–$80 | $260–$390 | Time-of-use pricing |
| Alberta | $110–$180 | $100–$180 | $50–$80 | $260–$440 | Deregulated market |
| British Columbia | $80–$130 | $80–$130 | $40–$70 | $200–$330 | BC Hydro, lower electricity |
| Quebec | $60–$100 | $80–$120 | $30–$60 | $170–$280 | Cheapest electricity (Hydro-QC) |
| Manitoba | $70–$110 | $70–$120 | $40–$60 | $180–$290 | Manitoba Hydro, lower rates |
| Saskatchewan | $100–$150 | $80–$140 | $40–$70 | $220–$360 | SaskPower/SaskEnergy |
| Nova Scotia | $110–$160 | $90–$140 | $35–$60 | $235–$360 | NS Power (higher rates) |
| New Brunswick | $100–$150 | $80–$130 | $35–$55 | $215–$335 | NB Power |
Electricity Rates by Province
| Province | Residential Rate (¢/kWh) | Avg Monthly Use (kWh) | Avg Monthly Bill | Rate Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec | 7.7–8.5¢ | 900–1,100 | $70–$95 | Tiered |
| Manitoba | 9.5–10.2¢ | 800–1,000 | $76–$102 | Flat |
| British Columbia | 9.5–14.3¢ | 700–900 | $66–$129 | Two-tier |
| Ontario | 8.7–17.0¢ | 700–900 | $100–$153 | Time-of-use or tiered |
| New Brunswick | 11.5–13.5¢ | 800–1,000 | $92–$135 | Tiered |
| Saskatchewan | 15.5–17.0¢ | 700–900 | $108–$153 | Tiered |
| Alberta | 12.0–20.0¢ | 600–800 | $72–$160 | Deregulated (variable) |
| Nova Scotia | 16.0–18.5¢ | 700–900 | $112–$167 | Flat |
Heating Cost Comparison
| Heating Source | Annual Cost (2,000 sq ft) | Efficiency | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural gas furnace (96% AFUE) | $1,000–$1,800 | High | Most of Canada |
| Electric baseboard | $1,500–$3,000 | Direct (100%) | Quebec (cheap hydro) |
| Heat pump (air-source) | $700–$1,400 | 250–350% COP | Moderate climates (BC, ON) |
| Heat pump (ground-source) | $500–$1,000 | 350–450% COP | Long-term investment |
| Oil furnace | $2,000–$4,000 | Moderate (80–90%) | Atlantic provinces |
| Propane furnace | $1,800–$3,500 | Moderate (90–95%) | Rural areas |
| Wood/pellet stove | $600–$1,500 | Moderate | Supplementary heat |
Top Money-Saving Actions
| Action | Upfront Cost | Annual Savings | Payback Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Install heat pump (replace furnace) | $5,000–$15,000 | $500–$1,500 | 3–10 years |
| Add attic insulation (R-50+) | $1,500–$3,000 | $200–$500 | 3–6 years |
| Replace windows (Energy Star) | $8,000–$20,000 | $200–$500 | 16–40 years |
| Programmable/smart thermostat | $30–$300 | $100–$200 | 1–3 months |
| Seal air leaks (weatherstripping) | $20–$100 | $50–$150 | Immediate |
| LED bulbs (whole house) | $20–$50 | $50–$100 | 3–6 months |
| Low-flow showerheads/faucets | $20–$50 | $50–$100 | 3–6 months |
| Cold water laundry | $0 | $50–$100 | Immediate |
| Time-of-use electricity shift | $0 | $50–$150 | Immediate |
| Energy Star appliances (on replacement) | $100–$500 premium | $30–$100 each | 1–5 years |
Government Rebates and Programs
| Program | Available In | Rebate Amount | Eligible Upgrades |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada Greener Homes Grant | Nationwide | Up to $5,000 | Insulation, windows, heat pumps |
| Enbridge Home Efficiency Rebate | Ontario | Up to $5,000 | Insulation, air sealing, windows |
| BC CleanBC Better Homes | British Columbia | Up to $11,000 | Heat pumps, insulation |
| Alberta Energy Efficiency | Alberta | Up to $6,000 | Insulation, windows, heating |
| Rénoclimat | Quebec | Up to $20,000 | Full home energy retrofit |
| Efficiency NS | Nova Scotia | Up to $5,000 | Solar, heat pumps, insulation |
| Efficiency Manitoba | Manitoba | Various | Insulation, windows, heating |
| Canada Greener Homes Loan | Nationwide | Up to $40,000 (interest-free) | All eligible retrofits |
Ontario Time-of-Use Electricity Rates
| Time Period | Rate (¢/kWh) | Hours | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Off-peak | 8.7¢ | 7PM–7AM weekdays, all weekends/holidays | Run dishwasher, laundry, dryer |
| Mid-peak | 12.2¢ | 11AM–5PM weekdays | Normal use |
| On-peak | 17.0¢ | 7AM–11AM & 5PM–7PM weekdays | Minimize use |
Shifting heavy-use appliances to off-peak can save $150–$300/year.