Cost to heat a house in Winnipeg, MB
In Winnipeg, natural gas is cheaper to run: about $935 a year for a typical 2,000 sq ft home, versus $1,485 for a cold-climate heat pump ($550/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 2.2 in Winnipeg'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 Winnipeg
| Home size | Heat pump | Natural gas furnace | Propane furnace | Heating oil furnace | Electric baseboard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | $743 | $552 | $2,166 | $3,463 | $1,603 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $1,114 | $743 | $3,248 | $5,194 | $2,404 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $1,485 | $935 | $4,331 | $6,926 | $3,205 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $1,857 | $1,127 | $5,414 | $8,657 | $4,007 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $2,228 | $1,319 | $6,497 | $10,389 | $4,808 |
Month-by-month heating cost
Most of the bill lands in the coldest months. In January, a 2,000 sq ft home in Winnipeg needs about 20.2 GJ of heat.
| Month | Avg temp | Heat pump | Natural gas furnace | Propane furnace | Heating oil furnace | Electric baseboard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -16.3°C | $334 | $155 | $799 | $1,277 | $591 |
| Feb | -14.1°C | $268 | $135 | $681 | $1,089 | $504 |
| Mar | -6.1°C | $180 | $113 | $561 | $898 | $415 |
| Apr | 3.8°C | $84 | $71 | $320 | $512 | $237 |
| May | 11.1°C | $39 | $44 | $167 | $267 | $124 |
| Jun | 17.1°C | $13 | $25 | $60 | $96 | $45 |
| Jul | 19.5°C | $8 | $20 | $35 | $57 | $26 |
| Aug | 18.7°C | $10 | $22 | $43 | $69 | $32 |
| Sep | 13.3°C | $28 | $35 | $119 | $191 | $88 |
| Oct | 5.1°C | $77 | $67 | $301 | $481 | $223 |
| Nov | -4.4°C | $156 | $103 | $505 | $807 | $374 |
| Dec | -13.7°C | $288 | $145 | $738 | $1,181 | $546 |
Energy prices used
- Electricity: 10.53¢/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 ~$14/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: $2.08/L — Statistics Canada, Winnipeg 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 Winnipeg?
For a typical 2,000 sq ft home with average insulation, expect roughly $935 to $6,926 CAD per year depending on the system. The cheapest option at current prices is the natural gas furnace ($935/year).
Is a heat pump worth it in Winnipeg?
In Winnipeg, natural gas is cheaper to run: about $935 a year for a typical 2,000 sq ft home, versus $1,485 for a cold-climate heat pump ($550/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 Winnipeg in winter?
In January, heating a 2,000 sq ft home costs about $334 with a heat pump, $155 with natural gas and $1,277 with heating oil (CAD).
How cold does it get in Winnipeg?
The average January temperature in Winnipeg is -16.3°C (3°F). The city has about 5,765 heating degree-days a year (base 18°C).