Local guide

Lowering energy bills in Ottawa

Ottawa's colder winters raise heating costs and make cold-climate heat pump sizing and backup heat important.

Last reviewed November 2, 2026
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Ottawa at a glance

Electricity distributor: Hydro Ottawa
Natural gas: Enbridge Gas
Heating degree days: about 4,500 per year
Winter design temperature: about -25 °C
Solar potential: about 1,210 kWh per kW per year
Electricity prices: Province-wide RPP, effective November 1, 2026

Some rural areas are served by Hydro One.

Typical annual heating cost in Ottawa

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

Natural gas furnace (95%)	$1,290
Cold-climate heat pump	$1,800
Propane (92%)	$4,100
Electric baseboard	$4,490
Heating oil (80%)	$5,300

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 Ottawa

A typical 2,000 sq ft existing home here needs roughly 41k BTU/h of heat at -25 °C. Ask contractors for capacity at that temperature, not just the nominal tonnage.

Estimate your home's load

Choosing a price plan

Hydro Ottawa 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 Ottawa

Who supplies electricity in Ottawa?

Hydro Ottawa delivers electricity to most homes in Ottawa. Some rural areas 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 Ottawa winters?

Yes. Ottawa's design temperature is about -25 °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. In a climate this cold, plan for backup heat — electric strips or your existing furnace in a hybrid setup.

What rebates are available in Ottawa?

Homeowners in Ottawa 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 Ottawa.

Roofs in Ottawa can produce about 1,210 kWh per installed kW each year. Estimate it for your roof