Cost to heat a house in Vancouver, BC
In Vancouver, a cold-climate heat pump costs about $666 a year to heat a typical 2,000 sq ft home, versus $924 with natural gas. That saves about $259/year. At an installed cost of about $15,000 CAD, the simple payback is roughly over 30 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 3.0 in Vancouver'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 Vancouver
| Home size | Heat pump | Natural gas furnace | Propane furnace | Heating oil furnace | Electric baseboard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | $333 | $539 | $1,117 | $2,262 | $989 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $499 | $732 | $1,676 | $3,394 | $1,484 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $666 | $924 | $2,234 | $4,525 | $1,978 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $832 | $1,117 | $2,793 | $5,656 | $2,473 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $999 | $1,310 | $3,351 | $6,787 | $2,968 |
Month-by-month heating cost
Most of the bill lands in the coldest months. In January, a 2,000 sq ft home in Vancouver needs about 8.2 GJ of heat.
| Month | Avg temp | Heat pump | Natural gas furnace | Propane furnace | Heating oil furnace | Electric baseboard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 4.1°C | $101 | $125 | $324 | $656 | $287 |
| Feb | 4.7°C | $88 | $110 | $283 | $572 | $250 |
| Mar | 6.7°C | $79 | $104 | $264 | $535 | $234 |
| Apr | 9.4°C | $57 | $81 | $197 | $399 | $174 |
| May | 13.0°C | $36 | $57 | $129 | $262 | $114 |
| Jun | 15.8°C | $21 | $40 | $78 | $158 | $69 |
| Jul | 18.2°C | $13 | $30 | $49 | $99 | $43 |
| Aug | 18.2°C | $13 | $30 | $49 | $99 | $43 |
| Sep | 15.2°C | $24 | $43 | $87 | $176 | $77 |
| Oct | 10.3°C | $53 | $76 | $184 | $373 | $163 |
| Nov | 6.4°C | $79 | $103 | $262 | $531 | $232 |
| Dec | 3.9°C | $103 | $126 | $329 | $665 | $291 |
Energy prices used
- Electricity: 12.60¢/kWh CAD — Hydro-Québec, Comparison of Electricity Prices in Major North American Cities 2025 (1,000 kWh/month, excl. taxes)
- Natural gas: $12.95/GJ (≈ 49.0¢/m³) plus ~$12.83/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: $2.63/L — Statistics Canada, Vancouver 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 Vancouver?
For a typical 2,000 sq ft home with average insulation, expect roughly $666 to $4,525 CAD per year depending on the system. The cheapest option at current prices is the heat pump ($666/year).
Is a heat pump worth it in Vancouver?
In Vancouver, a cold-climate heat pump costs about $666 a year to heat a typical 2,000 sq ft home, versus $924 with natural gas. That saves about $259/year. At an installed cost of about $15,000 CAD, the simple payback is roughly over 30 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 Vancouver in winter?
In January, heating a 2,000 sq ft home costs about $101 with a heat pump, $125 with natural gas and $656 with heating oil (CAD).
How cold does it get in Vancouver?
The average January temperature in Vancouver is 4.1°C (39°F). The city has about 2,974 heating degree-days a year (base 18°C).