Cost to heat a house in Halifax, NS
In Halifax, a cold-climate heat pump costs about $1,763 a year to heat a typical 2,000 sq ft home, versus $2,382 with natural gas. That saves about $618/year. At an installed cost of about $15,000 CAD, the simple payback is roughly 24 years. It is shorter with rebates, or if you need to replace an old furnace or air conditioner anyway.
Annual heating cost, 2,000 sq ft home (CAD)
Average insulation, high-efficiency furnaces, cold-climate heat pump with a seasonal efficiency (COP) of 2.6 in Halifax'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 Halifax
| Home size | Heat pump | Natural gas furnace | Propane furnace | Heating oil furnace | Electric baseboard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | $882 | $1,323 | $1,610 | $2,859 | $2,317 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $1,323 | $1,852 | $2,415 | $4,289 | $3,475 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $1,763 | $2,382 | $3,220 | $5,718 | $4,634 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $2,204 | $2,911 | $4,024 | $7,148 | $5,792 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $2,645 | $3,441 | $4,829 | $8,577 | $6,951 |
Month-by-month heating cost
Most of the bill lands in the coldest months. In January, a 2,000 sq ft home in Halifax needs about 14.0 GJ of heat.
| Month | Avg temp | Heat pump | Natural gas furnace | Propane furnace | Heating oil furnace | Electric baseboard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -5.7°C | $341 | $385 | $552 | $980 | $794 |
| Feb | -5.2°C | $301 | $346 | $492 | $875 | $709 |
| Mar | -0.9°C | $246 | $312 | $440 | $782 | $634 |
| Apr | 4.5°C | $154 | $222 | $305 | $541 | $438 |
| May | 10.1°C | $88 | $146 | $188 | $334 | $271 |
| Jun | 15.2°C | $38 | $79 | $87 | $155 | $125 |
| Jul | 19.2°C | $16 | $47 | $38 | $68 | $55 |
| Aug | 19.2°C | $16 | $47 | $38 | $68 | $55 |
| Sep | 15.2°C | $38 | $79 | $87 | $155 | $125 |
| Oct | 9.2°C | $98 | $159 | $208 | $369 | $299 |
| Nov | 3.8°C | $164 | $233 | $320 | $569 | $461 |
| Dec | -1.9°C | $264 | $327 | $463 | $823 | $667 |
Energy prices used
- Electricity: 20.48¢/kWh CAD — Hydro-Québec, Comparison of Electricity Prices in Major North American Cities 2025 (1,000 kWh/month, excl. taxes)
- Natural gas: $24.70/GJ (≈ 93.5¢/m³) plus ~$22/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: $2.31/L — Statistics Canada, Halifax price, 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 Halifax?
For a typical 2,000 sq ft home with average insulation, expect roughly $1,763 to $5,718 CAD per year depending on the system. The cheapest option at current prices is the heat pump ($1,763/year).
Is a heat pump worth it in Halifax?
In Halifax, a cold-climate heat pump costs about $1,763 a year to heat a typical 2,000 sq ft home, versus $2,382 with natural gas. That saves about $618/year. At an installed cost of about $15,000 CAD, the simple payback is roughly 24 years. It is shorter with rebates, or if you need to replace an old furnace or air conditioner anyway.
How much does heating cost per month in Halifax in winter?
In January, heating a 2,000 sq ft home costs about $341 with a heat pump, $385 with natural gas and $980 with heating oil (CAD).
How cold does it get in Halifax?
The average January temperature in Halifax is -5.7°C (22°F). The city has about 4,285 heating degree-days a year (base 18°C).