According to a recent public opinion poll, nearly three-quarters of Canadians (72%) who pay home heating costs reported that they paid higher bills this winter.

Where 72% of those surveyed said they paid higher costs related to energy consumption between November 2022 and mid-February 2023, and 24% of them said their bills increased significantly.

Statistics Canada indicated that most Canadians use fuel-powered systems to heat their homes, and the majority of fuel users reported paying a larger bill. Among those with electricity-based heating, 61% saw an increase in their bill.

It is noteworthy that Ontario residents were the most likely to report increased costs at (80%), followed by Saskatchewan and Manitoba (79%) and Alberta (78%), while Quebec residents were the least likely to report paying large bills at (64%).

Sharp cost increases were also more common in Alberta (37%), followed by Ontario (31%), and the Atlantic provinces (30%), whereas Quebec (14%) and British Columbia (8%) did not experience significant cost increases.

How to reduce your home heating bill:

︎Websites like EnergyRates.ca can help identify the cheapest home heating method available in your area.

Also, some provinces have open energy markets that allow consumers to shop for the best prices between utilities.

Simple personal repairs, such as properly closing doors and windows and adding insulation to the attic, can also make a big difference.