Updated: April 2025 | bremo.io financial guides
How to Reduce Utility Bills in Canada: Save on Hydro, Gas, and Internet
Canadian utility costs — electricity (hydro), natural gas, water, and internet — represent a significant fixed monthly expense for most households. The good news is that many of these costs are partially controllable through smart habits and service optimization.
Electricity (Hydro) Savings
Electricity in Canada is billed in different ways depending on your province. Ontario uses Time-of-Use (TOU) or Tiered pricing. BC, Quebec, and Manitoba have some of the cheapest electricity in the world due to abundant hydroelectric power. Alberta uses market rates that can fluctuate significantly.
Simple Electricity Reductions
- Switch to LED bulbs throughout your home — LEDs use 75% less energy than incandescent and last 15–25 times longer
- In Ontario, shift appliance use (dishwasher, laundry, dryer) to off-peak hours (7 PM–7 AM on weekdays, all day on weekends) to benefit from TOU pricing
- Unplug "vampire" appliances — TVs, game consoles, and chargers on standby consume 5–10% of home electricity
- Use a programmable or smart thermostat — reduces heating/cooling when you're sleeping or away
- Wash laundry in cold water — 90% of washing machine energy goes to heating water
Natural Gas Savings
Heating is the largest energy cost for most Canadian households outside BC and Quebec.
- Seal drafts around windows and doors — a $10 weather-stripping kit can save $100–$200/winter
- Install a smart thermostat (Nest, Ecobee) — saves 10–15% on heating costs; programs itself to your schedule
- Lower heat by 2–3°C when sleeping and when away at work
- Service your furnace annually — a dirty filter increases energy use by 5–15%
- Check if you qualify for provincial rebates: Ontario's Enbridge Home Efficiency Rebate, BC Hydro rebates, and other programs can offset upgrade costs
Internet Bill Savings
Canadian internet bills are among the highest in the developed world. The average Canadian pays $65–$90/month for home internet. Strategies to reduce:
- Call and threaten to cancel: Retention offers are real. A 30-minute call often produces a $15–$25/month reduction or a free service upgrade
- Switch to an indie ISP: TekSavvy, Start.ca, Vmedia, and other independent ISPs use Rogers or Bell infrastructure but at lower prices — typically $35–$55/month versus $65–$90
- Downgrade your speed tier: Most households streaming HD video need 25–50 Mbps, not 500 Mbps. Downgrading from a premium tier saves $15–$30/month with no noticeable difference
Bundle savings: Internet, phone, and TV bundles often cost less than separate services from the same provider. However, compare the bundle price against mix-and-match from different providers — sometimes independent combinations are cheaper.
Water Bill Reduction
- Fix dripping faucets — a leaky faucet dripping once per second wastes 30 litres/day
- Install low-flow showerheads — reduces hot water consumption and heating costs
- Run dishwasher only when full
- Water lawn in early morning to reduce evaporation
Government Rebate Programs
Canadians can access federal and provincial programs to reduce home energy costs:
- Canada Greener Homes Grant: up to $5,600 for home energy upgrades
- Provincial utility rebates for smart thermostats, insulation, heat pumps
- The Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (HER+) program in Ontario