Quebec home energy rebates & savings guide

Quebec has the cheapest electricity in Canada, and most homes already heat with it. That makes solar a very slow payback, while a heat pump can cut the bill for a baseboard-heated home substantially. This guide explains how Quebec homeowners can save on energy and which home energy rebates and upgrades make sense.

Winter is where Quebec bills climb, so heating and the envelope matter most. Use the heat pump calculator or the thermostat savings calculator, then check programs on the Quebec rebates page.

Electricity in Quebec

Hydro-Québec supplies electricity to almost every home in the province, and Énergir provides natural gas in some areas. Nearly all of Quebec's electricity comes from hydro, so the grid is among the cleanest in North America. An all-in rate of roughly $0.085 per kWh is the lowest in Canada.

Heating: what pays off

Electric baseboards are the most common heating system in Quebec, with some homes on oil, natural gas or electric furnaces. A cold-climate heat pump at a typical seasonal COP of 2.2 to 3.0 uses roughly a third to a half of the electricity of baseboards for the same heat, so savings are real even at Quebec's low rates. With gas at roughly $0.62 per m³, a heat pump also usually costs less to run than a gas furnace.

Remaining oil-heated homes are especially strong candidates for a switch. Ductless mini-splits suit baseboard homes without ducts. See the ductless mini-split guide and switching from oil heat.

Solar outlook

Solar is a weak financial case in Quebec. Electricity at roughly $0.085 per kWh means each kWh your panels make is worth little, and at typical installed costs of $2.40 to $3.30 per watt, payback often runs longer than the 25-year panel warranty. Most Quebec homeowners will save more per dollar on insulation, air sealing and a heat pump.

Hydro-Québec offers net metering for small home systems, and terms can change. If you still want solar for other reasons, confirm current rules with Hydro-Québec and run the solar calculator with your own bill.

Tips for Quebec homes

• If you heat with baseboards, a ductless heat pump in your main living area can cut winter bills noticeably.
• Check Hydro-Québec LogisVert for current heat pump and efficiency rebates, and confirm amounts before you buy.
• Learn your Hydro-Québec rate options, since some plans reward reducing use during winter peak events.
• Install programmable electronic thermostats on baseboard heaters to set back rooms you are not using.
• Put solar money into attic insulation and air sealing first, which pay back far faster at Quebec's rates.