Local guide

Lowering energy bills in Kingston

Historic limestone homes need moisture-aware insulation strategies; newer suburbs suit heat pumps well.

Last reviewed November 2, 2026
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Kingston at a glance

Electricity distributor: Utilities Kingston (Kingston Hydro)
Natural gas: Utilities Kingston or Enbridge Gas
Heating degree days: about 4,200 per year
Winter design temperature: about -22 °C
Solar potential: about 1,200 kWh per kW per year
Electricity prices: Province-wide RPP, effective November 1, 2026

Areas outside the former city are served by Hydro One.

Typical annual heating cost in Kingston

Estimated for a 2,000 sq ft existing detached home. Your costs depend on insulation, airtightness and thermostat settings.

Natural gas furnace (95%)	$1,200
Cold-climate heat pump	$1,680
Propane (92%)	$3,820
Electric baseboard	$4,200
Heating oil (80%)	$4,950

Assumes gas at $0.45/m³, electricity at $0.16/kWh all-in, oil at $1.6/L, propane at $0.95/L and a seasonal heat pump COP of 2.5. Run it with your own numbers.

Heat pump sizing in Kingston

A typical 2,000 sq ft existing home here needs roughly 38k BTU/h of heat at -22 °C. Ask contractors for capacity at that temperature, not just the nominal tonnage.

Estimate your home's load

Choosing a price plan

Utilities Kingston (Kingston Hydro) customers can choose Time-of-Use, Tiered or — where offered — Ultra-Low Overnight at 3.7¢/kWh from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Households with an EV or flexible loads often save on ULO.

Compare plans

Where to start

Air seal and insulate the attic
Set thermostat schedules and check your price plan
Replace end-of-life heating with a heat pump or hybrid
Swap remaining bulbs for LEDs

Take the home energy checkup

Common questions in Kingston

Who supplies electricity in Kingston?

Utilities Kingston (Kingston Hydro) delivers electricity to most homes in Kingston. Areas outside the former city are served by Hydro One. Commodity prices are set province-wide by the Ontario Energy Board; delivery charges are set for each utility. You can choose Time-of-Use, Ultra-Low Overnight (where offered) or Tiered pricing by contacting your utility.

Do heat pumps work in Kingston winters?

Yes. Kingston's design temperature is about -22 °C, and cold-climate air-source heat pumps are rated to operate around −25 °C to −30 °C with reduced capacity at the coldest temperatures. Most homes here can be heated by a well-sized heat pump with modest backup heat.

What rebates are available in Kingston?

Homeowners in Kingston can use Ontario's Home Renovation Savings Program for heat pumps, insulation, windows, smart thermostats and more, along with income-qualified programs from Save on Energy and Enbridge Gas. Some municipalities also offer home energy loans — check with the City of Kingston.

Roofs in Kingston can produce about 1,200 kWh per installed kW each year. Estimate it for your roof