Cost to heat a house in Ottawa, ON
In Ottawa, natural gas is cheaper to run: about $1,106 a year for a typical 2,000 sq ft home, versus $1,363 for a cold-climate heat pump ($258/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 Ottawa'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 Ottawa
| Home size | Heat pump | Natural gas furnace | Propane furnace | Heating oil furnace | Electric baseboard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | $682 | $719 | $1,669 | $3,210 | $1,683 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $1,022 | $912 | $2,503 | $4,816 | $2,524 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $1,363 | $1,106 | $3,338 | $6,421 | $3,366 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $1,704 | $1,299 | $4,172 | $8,026 | $4,207 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $2,045 | $1,492 | $5,006 | $9,631 | $5,049 |
Month-by-month heating cost
Most of the bill lands in the coldest months. In January, a 2,000 sq ft home in Ottawa needs about 16.3 GJ of heat.
| Month | Avg temp | Heat pump | Natural gas furnace | Propane furnace | Heating oil furnace | Electric baseboard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -9.6°C | $306 | $177 | $643 | $1,237 | $648 |
| Feb | -8.1°C | $254 | $156 | $554 | $1,066 | $559 |
| Mar | -2.2°C | $189 | $137 | $470 | $905 | $474 |
| Apr | 6.2°C | $92 | $89 | $267 | $513 | $269 |
| May | 13.8°C | $36 | $54 | $114 | $219 | $115 |
| Jun | 18.8°C | $12 | $37 | $41 | $79 | $41 |
| Jul | 21.3°C | $6 | $33 | $22 | $42 | $22 |
| Aug | 20.1°C | $9 | $35 | $30 | $58 | $31 |
| Sep | 15.6°C | $25 | $46 | $81 | $156 | $82 |
| Oct | 8.8°C | $72 | $78 | $217 | $417 | $219 |
| Nov | 2.0°C | $133 | $111 | $361 | $694 | $364 |
| Dec | -5.1°C | $230 | $152 | $538 | $1,035 | $543 |
Energy prices used
- Electricity: 14.35¢/kWh CAD — Hydro-Québec, Comparison of Electricity Prices in Major North American Cities 2025 (1,000 kWh/month, excl. taxes)
- Natural gas: $8.70/GJ (≈ 32.9¢/m³) plus ~$27.69/month fixed charge — 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: $2.50/L — Statistics Canada, Ottawa-Gatineau 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 Ottawa?
For a typical 2,000 sq ft home with average insulation, expect roughly $1,106 to $6,421 CAD per year depending on the system. The cheapest option at current prices is the natural gas furnace ($1,106/year).
Is a heat pump worth it in Ottawa?
In Ottawa, natural gas is cheaper to run: about $1,106 a year for a typical 2,000 sq ft home, versus $1,363 for a cold-climate heat pump ($258/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 Ottawa in winter?
In January, heating a 2,000 sq ft home costs about $306 with a heat pump, $177 with natural gas and $1,237 with heating oil (CAD).
How cold does it get in Ottawa?
The average January temperature in Ottawa is -9.6°C (15°F). The city has about 4,442 heating degree-days a year (base 18°C).