Canadian Home Heating Costs: How to Stay Warm and Save This Winter — Updated November 9, 2026

Information checked: November 9, 2026, 7:08:27 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (Toronto, UTC−05:00) / 12:08:27 UTC. Canada spans multiple time zones and utility markets; this timestamp identifies when the guidance and program pages were checked.

Across Canada, the most reliable way to manage winter heating costs is to reduce avoidable heat loss, use a thermostat setting that matches your heating system, and compare energy consumption—not just the dollar total—on your bills. Start with drafts, airflow and routine maintenance before committing to a major upgrade. A heat pump, new windows or added insulation may help some homes, but the best option depends on the building, climate, equipment and local energy rates.

Program information also changes. As of this check, the federal Canada Greener Homes Grant and Loan are closed to new applicants, while the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program offers no-cost retrofits to eligible lower- and median-income households through participating provincial and territorial partners. Check current eligibility before budgeting around assistance.

Destaques

• Use a modest temperature setback for a conventional furnace or boiler; follow heat-pump guidance before making larger changes.
• Seal obvious drafts, keep heaters and vents clear, and use curtains to take advantage of daytime sun and reduce nighttime heat loss.
• Track kilowatt-hours or gas use across comparable billing periods to see whether a higher bill reflects more consumption, different rates or a longer billing cycle.
• Check current provincial and territorial retrofit programs. Do not rely on old articles describing the closed federal Greener Homes Grant or Loan as open.

What temperature should you set in winter?

For many conventional heating systems, a programmed setback while the household is asleep or away can reduce the amount of heat used. Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) gives 17°C while sleeping or out and 20°C when awake at home as example settings. Treat these as starting points rather than universal rules: comfort, health needs, the age of occupants and the home itself matter. Avoid letting an unoccupied home get cold enough to risk frozen plumbing.

Heat pumps respond differently from many furnaces. NRCan advises minimizing deep temperature setbacks because a heat pump may take longer to recover and supplementary electric heat may operate while it catches up. For many systems, the guide recommends a setback of no more than 2°C, or a compatible thermostat that starts recovery early. Follow the equipment manual and ask the installer for settings suited to your model and backup system. See NRCan’s winter heating tips and its detailed heat-pump guide.

How can you keep heat from escaping?

Walk around the home on a windy day and check for noticeable drafts around exterior doors, window sashes, plumbing penetrations and attic hatches. Weatherstripping is designed for moving joints such as doors and operable windows; caulk is generally used for fixed gaps. Close curtains or blinds at night, then open them on sunny winter days when sunlight can warm the room. Move furniture and rugs away from baseboard heaters, radiators, supply registers and return-air grilles so heat can circulate.

Air sealing and insulation can improve comfort, but a house also needs safe ventilation. Do not cover combustion-air openings or ventilation equipment, and do not seal a window that serves as an emergency exit. If you plan extensive air sealing or have fuel-burning appliances, get advice from a qualified professional about ventilation and combustion air. NRCan’s Keeping the Heat In guide explains how air leakage, insulation, moisture and ventilation interact.

What should you check on your heating system?

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning or replacing furnace and heat-pump filters. A dirty filter can restrict airflow; NRCan’s general advice is to check filters regularly and change or clean them about every three months or sooner if they are dirty, subject to the equipment manual. Keep supply and return vents clear. For an outdoor heat pump, check that snow and debris are not obstructing it and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for ice or snow removal. A routine inspection can identify problems before the coldest weather, but use a qualified technician for repairs and combustion equipment.

Before replacing a furnace or choosing a heat pump, compare the full system rather than the sticker price. Ask contractors how the proposed equipment is sized for your home, how it performs in local winter temperatures, when backup heat may run, and what maintenance it needs. NRCan notes that air-source heat-pump capacity changes as outdoor temperatures fall and that some installations need supplemental heat. Savings are not guaranteed: electricity and fuel prices, the home’s heat loss and the system’s setup all affect operating costs. The government’s home-efficiency tips also cover furnace filters, duct sealing and equipment maintenance.

How do you make a heating budget from your utility bill?

Record the billing dates, total charge and energy used. For electricity, look at kilowatt-hours; for natural gas, use the unit shown on your bill, such as cubic meters. Divide usage by the number of days in the billing period to get a rough daily average. Compare similar winter periods and note unusually cold weather, a thermostat change, guests, a vacant home or a repair. A longer bill period or higher rates can raise the amount due even when daily energy use has changed little.

Check the bill for delivery, fixed service and time-of-use charges, which vary by provider and jurisdiction. If the bill jumps, contact the utility and ask it to explain the change and whether a payment plan, equalized billing or customer-assistance program is available. Renters can ask the landlord or property manager about drafts, heating controls and maintenance responsibilities. Do not compare gas and electricity totals alone when deciding whether to replace equipment; compare the home’s expected heating demand, the system’s efficiency and local rates with a qualified advisor.

What heating assistance is available in Canada?

NRCan’s Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program provides no-cost home retrofits, including measures such as insulation and heat pumps, for eligible low-to-median-income homeowners and tenants. It is delivered through participating partners rather than through one identical application process nationwide. At the time checked, NRCan directed residents in British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Quebec to partner programs. Eligibility, intake and available upgrades depend on location; check the live program page and your province or utility before applying. Other provinces and territories may have separate offers.

The former Canada Greener Homes Grant is closed, and the Canada Greener Homes Loan is closed to new applications. NRCan says the grant’s final document deadline was December 31, 2025, and no new loan applications can be approved. Use the Government of Canada’s Benefits Finder and the program page to locate current help. NRCan warns that it does not authorize unsolicited callers, emailers or door-to-door sellers to enroll people in these programs.

How can you use supplemental heat safely?

A portable electric heater can warm a room you are using, but it is not a substitute for repairing a failed central system. Health Canada says to keep portable heaters at least 1 meter from combustible materials, plug them directly into a wall outlet rather than an extension cord or power bar, and unplug them before leaving home or going to sleep. Keep fuel-burning appliances maintained, make sure vents and chimneys are not blocked after snowstorms, and keep carbon-monoxide alarms working according to their instructions. Never use outdoor fuel-burning equipment indoors. Review Health Canada’s electrical-product safety guidance and its carbon-monoxide prevention advice.

Frequently asked questions

Does lowering the thermostat always save money?

Lowering the setting can reduce heat use with many conventional systems, but a deep setback may be less effective with some heat pumps. Use system-specific guidance and prioritize safe, comfortable temperatures.

Are the Canada Greener Homes Grant and Loan still open?

No. Both are closed to new participants or applications. Check the current Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program and your provincial or utility programs for other options.

What is the quickest low-cost step?

Check for drafts, clear blocked vents and heaters, close window coverings at night, and review your thermostat schedule. These steps are inexpensive, though the effect on a particular home’s bill will vary.