Local guide

Lowering energy bills in St. Catharines

Niagara's milder winters make air-source heat pumps perform especially well.

Last reviewed November 2, 2026
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St. Catharines at a glance

Electricity distributor: Alectra Utilities
Natural gas: Enbridge Gas
Heating degree days: about 3,600 per year
Winter design temperature: about -17 °C
Solar potential: about 1,180 kWh per kW per year
Electricity prices: Province-wide RPP, effective November 1, 2026

Typical annual heating cost in St. Catharines

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

Natural gas furnace (95%)	$1,030
Cold-climate heat pump	$1,280
Propane (92%)	$3,280
Electric baseboard	$3,600
Heating oil (80%)	$4,240

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 St. Catharines

A typical 2,000 sq ft existing home here needs roughly 34k BTU/h of heat at -17 °C. Ask contractors for capacity at that temperature, not just the nominal tonnage.

Estimate your home's load

Choosing a price plan

Alectra Utilities 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 St. Catharines

Who supplies electricity in St. Catharines?

Alectra Utilities delivers electricity to most homes in St. Catharines. 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 St. Catharines winters?

Yes. St. Catharines's design temperature is about -17 °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 St. Catharines?

Homeowners in St. Catharines 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 St. Catharines.

Roofs in St. Catharines can produce about 1,180 kWh per installed kW each year. Estimate it for your roof