Methodology
How we calculate
Our calculators are estimates, built to be transparent. Here is every major assumption so you can judge the results and replace any number with your own.
Provincial inputs
| Province | Electricity | Gas | Heating degree-days | Heat pump seasonal COP | Solar kWh per kW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | ¢13.5/kWh | $0.75/m³ | 3,300 | 3.0 | 1,100 |
| Alberta | ¢24.0/kWh | $0.42/m³ | 5,000 | 2.4 | 1,300 |
| Saskatchewan | ¢21.0/kWh | $0.38/m³ | 5,600 | 2.3 | 1,350 |
| Manitoba | ¢11.5/kWh | $0.42/m³ | 5,700 | 2.2 | 1,250 |
| Ontario | ¢17.0/kWh | $0.48/m³ | 4,000 | 2.7 | 1,150 |
| Quebec | ¢8.5/kWh | $0.62/m³ | 4,500 | 2.5 | 1,150 |
| New Brunswick | ¢16.5/kWh | $1.05/m³ | 4,600 | 2.6 | 1,100 |
| Nova Scotia | ¢19.5/kWh | $1.25/m³ | 4,300 | 2.8 | 1,100 |
| Prince Edward Island | ¢18.0/kWh | — | 4,600 | 2.6 | 1,100 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | ¢15.5/kWh | — | 4,800 | 2.7 | 1,000 |
Heating demand
We estimate the heat your home needs per year as floor area × heating degree-days × a factor for the home's age (older homes leak more heat). Townhouses and semis get a lower factor for shared walls. Fuel use is that heat divided by the system's efficiency: 95%, 90% or 80% for gas furnaces depending on age, 85% to 72% for oil.
Heat pumps
Cold-climate air-source heat pumps are modelled at a seasonal COP from 2.2 to 3.0 depending on province, covering 90% of the load with the rest from backup heat. Ductless systems in baseboard homes cover about 70%. Ground-source systems use a COP of 3.6.
Solar
Systems are sized to your yearly use, limited by usable roof area at about 19 W per sq ft, rounded to 400 W panels. Production uses the provincial yield adjusted for roof direction and shade, degrading 0.5% a year. Savings assume electricity prices rise 3% a year (adjustable), with exported power valued according to how each province credits it. Payback is the year cumulative savings exceed net cost.
Grades and recommendations
Your check-up grade compares your actual bills with the model's expected cost for a similar home. Upgrades are ranked by payback. We label anything over 15 years as a long payback, and we say plainly when something will not save money.
Rebates
Rebate information is checked against program and news sources and dated on each page. Programs change often, so always confirm with the administrator before signing a contract.
What we don't do
We don't sell your data, and the calculators don't require an account. If you request quotes, your details go to a maximum of three installers. Installers may pay us a referral fee; this never changes what our calculators show.