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Energy Efficiency Ontario

Local guide

Lowering energy bills in Oshawa

Post-war bungalows and newer north-end subdivisions; heating upgrades offer the biggest savings.

Last reviewed November 2, 2026
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Oshawa at a glance

Electricity distributor
Oshawa Power
Natural gas
Enbridge Gas
Heating degree days
about 3,900 per year
Winter design temperature
about -20 °C
Solar potential
about 1,160 kWh per kW per year
Electricity prices
Province-wide RPP, effective November 1, 2026

Typical annual heating cost in Oshawa

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

Natural gas furnace (95%)$1,110
Cold-climate heat pump$1,390
Propane (92%)$3,550
Electric baseboard$3,900
Heating oil (80%)$4,590

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 2.8. Run it with your own numbers.

Heat pump sizing in Oshawa

A typical 2,000 sq ft existing home here needs roughly 36k BTU/h of heat at -20 °C. Ask contractors for capacity at that temperature, not just the nominal tonnage.

Estimate your home's load

Choosing a price plan

Oshawa Power 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

  1. Air seal and insulate the attic
  2. Set thermostat schedules and check your price plan
  3. Replace end-of-life heating with a heat pump or hybrid
  4. Swap remaining bulbs for LEDs
Take the home energy checkup

Common questions in Oshawa

Who supplies electricity in Oshawa?
Oshawa Power delivers electricity to most homes in Oshawa. 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 Oshawa winters?
Yes. Oshawa's design temperature is about -20 °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 Oshawa?
Homeowners in Oshawa 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 Oshawa.

Roofs in Oshawa can produce about 1,160 kWh per installed kW each year. Estimate it for your roof

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