FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How our calculators work, how matching with installers works, and answers to common home energy questions.
How do your calculators work?
Each calculator combines the details you enter with typical figures for your province, such as electricity and gas prices, climate and solar yield. It then estimates your energy use and costs before and after a change. The goal is a realistic range you can use to decide whether an upgrade is worth a closer look.
How accurate are the estimates?
Our estimates are a good starting point, and real results vary with your home, habits and equipment. Rates change, winters differ and installers price jobs differently. For a firm number, use your own bills in the home energy estimator and confirm with an energy advisor or quotes.
Do I need to sign up or give my email to use the calculators?
No. Every calculator is free and works without an account or email address. You only share contact details if you choose to request installer quotes.
What happens to the information I enter?
Calculator inputs are used to produce your results and are not sold. We do not need your name or address to run any tool. If you request quotes, we share only the details needed for an installer to contact you.
Is myenergyusage.ca a utility or government site?
No. We are an independent site that provides calculators and plain-language guides for Canadian homeowners. For official rebate rules, always confirm with the program or utility listed on our rebates page.
How does installer matching work?
If your results show an upgrade could genuinely pay off, you can ask to be connected with solar or HVAC installers who serve your area. You choose whether to request quotes, and there is no obligation to hire anyone. Start from the get quotes page.
Do you get paid when I contact an installer?
Installers may pay us a referral fee when we connect you with them. That fee never changes your calculator results or what our guides recommend. If an upgrade does not pay off for your home, we say so.
Why would you tell me an upgrade is not worth it?
Because trust matters more than any single referral. Solar in a province with very cheap hydro, or a heat pump replacing cheap gas, can have a long payback. We would rather you spend money on the upgrades that actually help, like air sealing.
Is a heat pump worth it in Canada?
For many homes, yes, especially those heated with oil, propane or electric baseboards. Savings against cheap natural gas are smaller and depend on your provincial rates. Our heat pump calculator and the heat pump vs gas furnace guide show how it works out for your home.
Do heat pumps work in Canadian winters?
Cold-climate air-source heat pumps keep producing heat to about -25 to -30 °C, and their seasonal efficiency is typically 2.2 to 3.0 in Canadian climates. On the coldest days, a backup heat source fills any gap. Read more in heat pumps in a Canadian winter.
How much does a heat pump cost in Canada?
Installed prices vary widely with home size, ductwork and the number of indoor units. Ducted and multi-zone systems cost more than a single ductless head. Get several quotes and check your provincial rebates before you buy.
Should I replace my furnace with a heat pump or keep it as backup?
If your furnace is in good shape, a dual-fuel setup lets a heat pump handle most of the season while the furnace covers the coldest days. If the furnace is near the end of its life, a full heat pump system may make more sense. The dual-fuel guide walks through both options.
Are solar panels worth it in Canada?
It depends mostly on your electricity rate and your roof. Payback is usually shortest where power is expensive and sun is strong, such as Alberta, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia, and longest in Quebec and Manitoba. Try the solar calculator with your own bill.
How long does it take for solar panels to pay for themselves?
Payback in Canada ranges from roughly a decade in strong cases to longer than the panel warranty where electricity is very cheap. Your rate, system cost per watt, roof direction and any rebate all matter. See solar payback in Canada for the full breakdown.
Do solar panels work in snow and cold?
Panels produce well in cold, sunny weather, and snow on tilted panels usually slides off within a few days. Winter output in Canada is low because days are short, so most production happens from spring to fall. Read solar panels in snow and winter.
What is net metering and how does it work?
Net metering credits you for extra solar power you send to the grid, and you draw on those credits when your panels are not producing. Rules, credit values and rollover periods vary by province and utility. Our net metering guide explains the differences.
Is the Canada Greener Homes Grant still available?
No. The Canada Greener Homes Grant closed to new participants in 2024, and the Canada Greener Homes Loan closed to new applications on October 1, 2025. Provincial and utility programs are now the main source of rebates. Check your province on our rebates page.
What rebates are available for switching from oil heat?
The federal Oil to Heat Pump Affordability program is open in BC, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, PEI, Newfoundland and Labrador and Yukon, and is scheduled to end in 2027. In Nova Scotia its federal funding is fully committed, with a standby list. Provincial programs may stack on top, so see switching from oil heat.
What rebates can I get in Ontario?
The Home Renovation Savings Program from Save on Energy and Enbridge offers up to $7,500 for a cold-climate air-source heat pump, up to $12,000 for ground-source, and up to $5,000 for rooftop solar. It also covers insulation, windows, batteries and smart thermostats. Details are on the Ontario rebates page.
Why is my electricity bill so high in winter?
Longer nights, more time indoors and, in electrically heated homes, space heating all push winter use up. Space heating is roughly 60% of the energy a typical Canadian home uses. Why winter bills are higher covers the common causes and fixes.
How do I read my electricity bill?
Look for your total kWh used, the energy charge, delivery and regulatory charges, and any fixed monthly fees. Divide the total bill by the kWh to find your all-in rate. Our bill guide walks through each line.
What uses the most energy in a Canadian home?
Space heating is the largest share, roughly 60% of a typical home's energy, followed by water heating. Appliances, lighting and electronics make up most of the rest. The energy check-up shows where your home likely stands.
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home?
It depends on your all-in electricity rate and how much you drive. Charging overnight on a time-based rate is usually the cheapest option. The EV charging calculator estimates your monthly cost by province.
Should I insulate or replace windows first?
Air sealing and attic insulation usually save more per dollar than new windows. Windows make sense when they are failing, very drafty or single-pane. See are new windows worth it and attic insulation R-values.
Is a home battery worth it?
A battery mainly buys backup power during outages and, on some rate plans, savings from shifting use. On its own it rarely pays back quickly. The battery backup calculator helps you size one for the loads you care about.
Do smart thermostats really save money?
They can, mostly by making setbacks automatic when you sleep or are away. Savings depend on your habits and heating type, and heat pumps do best with small setbacks. Try the thermostat savings calculator.