Heating

Heating systems

The temperature in Canada can change quickly. Canadian homes are built for these changes; they have insulation, heating and sometimes air conditioning devices to control indoor temperatures. Heating devices include electric heaters, natural gas or oil-fuelled furnaces that blow warm air through vents or circulate hot water in pipes.

Make sure you have heat

Some types of heating systems can simply be turned on when it gets cold, but if your heating system uses oil, you will need to make arrangements with a service company to provide you with fuel. You may prefer a service company to start your heating system for you if you have a gas furnace. If your heating system is electric you can simply turn it on once you have set up hydroelectric service in your home.

Check in the yellow pages of your telephone book for service companies in your area. Look under Gas, Heating Companies, Oils/Fuel, and Hydroelectric Utilities.

Find out what it will cost

Whether you are renting or have bought an apartment or house, find out from the landlord or the previous owner the name of the company that has provided heat. Contact that company and ask what the average cost has been to heat your home.

The cost of heating your home varies across Canada, according to the size of the home, the type of fuel used, the energy efficiency of your heating system and your home, and the length and temperature of winter in your area.

Temperature control

Canadian homes have thermostats, which allow you to control the temperature in your home. The amount you or your landlord pays for heating will be partly determined by how warm you decide to keep your house.

You can reduce your heating or cooling costs in many ways:

Lowering the thermostat when you are not home and when you are sleeping
Keeping windows closed when the weather is cold
Turning off furnaces during the warm months of May through September
Putting weather stripping around doors and windows to keep out the cold air

Cold weather carries hazards

The cold temperatures in Canada can cause water pipes to freeze and break. To help prevent this, during the cold winter months the thermostat should never be set lower than 5 or 10°C, even if you are not home.

Keeping cool in summer

Some Canadian cities can reach temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius in summer. Many Canadians keep cool by using air conditioners or electric fans in their homes. Some homes might have heat furnaces and air conditioners operated by the same thermostat.

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