Cost to heat a house in Edmonton, AB
In Edmonton, natural gas is cheaper to run: about $1,052 a year for a typical 2,000 sq ft home, versus $2,500 for a cold-climate heat pump ($1,447/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 2.4 in Edmonton'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 Edmonton
| Home size | Heat pump | Natural gas furnace | Propane furnace | Heating oil furnace | Electric baseboard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | $1,250 | $706 | $1,955 | $2,953 | $3,022 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $1,875 | $879 | $2,932 | $4,429 | $4,533 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $2,500 | $1,052 | $3,910 | $5,906 | $6,045 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $3,125 | $1,225 | $4,887 | $7,382 | $7,556 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $3,749 | $1,399 | $5,864 | $8,858 | $9,067 |
Month-by-month heating cost
Most of the bill lands in the coldest months. In January, a 2,000 sq ft home in Edmonton needs about 16.7 GJ of heat.
| Month | Avg temp | Heat pump | Natural gas furnace | Propane furnace | Heating oil furnace | Electric baseboard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -10.3°C | $489 | $147 | $659 | $996 | $1,019 |
| Feb | -7.9°C | $384 | $127 | $550 | $830 | $850 |
| Mar | -3.1°C | $308 | $117 | $491 | $742 | $760 |
| Apr | 4.9°C | $159 | $82 | $296 | $447 | $457 |
| May | 11.6°C | $77 | $58 | $157 | $237 | $242 |
| Jun | 15.6°C | $38 | $44 | $81 | $123 | $125 |
| Jul | 18.1°C | $23 | $39 | $50 | $75 | $77 |
| Aug | 17.0°C | $30 | $41 | $64 | $96 | $98 |
| Sep | 11.9°C | $71 | $56 | $146 | $220 | $226 |
| Oct | 5.0°C | $163 | $84 | $303 | $458 | $469 |
| Nov | -3.5°C | $306 | $116 | $485 | $732 | $749 |
| Dec | -9.0°C | $451 | $141 | $629 | $950 | $972 |
Energy prices used
- Electricity: 22.00¢/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 Edmonton?
For a typical 2,000 sq ft home with average insulation, expect roughly $1,052 to $6,045 CAD per year depending on the system. The cheapest option at current prices is the natural gas furnace ($1,052/year).
Is a heat pump worth it in Edmonton?
In Edmonton, natural gas is cheaper to run: about $1,052 a year for a typical 2,000 sq ft home, versus $2,500 for a cold-climate heat pump ($1,447/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 Edmonton in winter?
In January, heating a 2,000 sq ft home costs about $489 with a heat pump, $147 with natural gas and $996 with heating oil (CAD).
How cold does it get in Edmonton?
The average January temperature in Edmonton is -10.3°C (13°F). The city has about 5,204 heating degree-days a year (base 18°C).