Cost to heat a house in Calgary, AB
In Calgary, natural gas is cheaper to run: about $1,032 a year for a typical 2,000 sq ft home, versus $2,408 for a cold-climate heat pump ($1,376/year more). A heat pump can still make sense if you also need air conditioning, want lower emissions, or pair it with your furnace as a dual-fuel system for the coldest days.
Annual heating cost, 2,000 sq ft home (CAD)
Average insulation, high-efficiency furnaces, cold-climate heat pump with a seasonal efficiency (COP) of 2.5 in Calgary's climate. Space heating only.
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1 GJ ≈ 26.4 m³ of natural gas ≈ 9.48 therms. US gas bills in therms: $/therm × 9.48 = $/GJ.
Heating cost by home size in Calgary
| Home size | Heat pump | Natural gas furnace | Propane furnace | Heating oil furnace | Electric baseboard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | $1,204 | $696 | $1,896 | $2,864 | $3,051 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $1,806 | $864 | $2,844 | $4,296 | $4,577 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $2,408 | $1,032 | $3,792 | $5,728 | $6,103 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $3,010 | $1,199 | $4,740 | $7,160 | $7,629 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $3,612 | $1,367 | $5,688 | $8,592 | $9,154 |
Month-by-month heating cost
Most of the bill lands in the coldest months. In January, a 2,000 sq ft home in Calgary needs about 15.1 GJ of heat.
| Month | Avg temp | Heat pump | Natural gas furnace | Propane furnace | Heating oil furnace | Electric baseboard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -7.6°C | $430 | $136 | $596 | $901 | $960 |
| Feb | -5.9°C | $352 | $120 | $507 | $766 | $816 |
| Mar | -2.2°C | $301 | $113 | $470 | $711 | $757 |
| Apr | 4.5°C | $172 | $84 | $305 | $460 | $490 |
| May | 9.9°C | $100 | $64 | $193 | $291 | $310 |
| Jun | 13.7°C | $56 | $50 | $112 | $169 | $181 |
| Jul | 16.9°C | $31 | $41 | $65 | $98 | $104 |
| Aug | 16.2°C | $36 | $43 | $75 | $113 | $120 |
| Sep | 11.5°C | $79 | $57 | $154 | $232 | $247 |
| Oct | 4.9°C | $171 | $84 | $305 | $461 | $492 |
| Nov | -1.7°C | $281 | $109 | $444 | $671 | $715 |
| Dec | -6.3°C | $396 | $130 | $566 | $855 | $911 |
Energy prices used
- Electricity: 22.90¢/kWh CAD — Hydro-Québec, Comparison of Electricity Prices in Major North American Cities 2025 (1,000 kWh/month, excl. taxes)
- Natural gas: $6.65/GJ (≈ 25.2¢/m³) plus ~$30/month fixed charge (estimate) — Utility rate notices (FortisBC Jan 2026, Enbridge EGD Apr 2026, Liberty NB Aug 2026) and D-Central heating fuel index (CC BY 4.0)
- Heating oil: $1.96/L — Statistics Canada, Prairie proxy: average of Regina and Saskatoon, September 2026, incl. taxes (prices by city)
- Propane: $0.95/L — Natural Resources Canada average heating oil $1.76/L and propane market estimate $0.95/L (Aug 2026, via Liberty Utilities NB) (estimate; no official city series)
Change any price in the calculator above to match your bill. Prices exclude sales tax.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to heat a house in Calgary?
For a typical 2,000 sq ft home with average insulation, expect roughly $1,032 to $6,103 CAD per year depending on the system. The cheapest option at current prices is the natural gas furnace ($1,032/year).
Is a heat pump worth it in Calgary?
In Calgary, natural gas is cheaper to run: about $1,032 a year for a typical 2,000 sq ft home, versus $2,408 for a cold-climate heat pump ($1,376/year more). A heat pump can still make sense if you also need air conditioning, want lower emissions, or pair it with your furnace as a dual-fuel system for the coldest days.
How much does heating cost per month in Calgary in winter?
In January, heating a 2,000 sq ft home costs about $430 with a heat pump, $136 with natural gas and $901 with heating oil (CAD).
How cold does it get in Calgary?
The average January temperature in Calgary is -7.6°C (18°F). The city has about 5,047 heating degree-days a year (base 18°C).