Local guide

Lowering energy bills in North Bay

Cold-climate heat pumps need careful sizing and backup heat here; envelope upgrades pay back quickly.

Last reviewed November 2, 2026
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North Bay at a glance

Electricity distributor: North Bay Hydro
Natural gas: Enbridge Gas
Heating degree days: about 5,100 per year
Winter design temperature: about -28 °C
Solar potential: about 1,170 kWh per kW per year
Electricity prices: Province-wide RPP, effective November 1, 2026

Typical annual heating cost in North Bay

Estimated for a 2,000 sq ft existing detached home. Your costs depend on insulation, airtightness and thermostat settings.

Natural gas furnace (95%)	$1,460
Cold-climate heat pump	$2,320
Propane (92%)	$4,640
Electric baseboard	$5,090
Heating oil (80%)	$6,010

Assumes gas at $0.45/m³, electricity at $0.16/kWh all-in, oil at $1.6/L, propane at $0.95/L and a seasonal heat pump COP of 2.2. Run it with your own numbers.

Heat pump sizing in North Bay

A typical 2,000 sq ft existing home here needs roughly 43k BTU/h of heat at -28 °C. Ask contractors for capacity at that temperature, not just the nominal tonnage.

Estimate your home's load

Choosing a price plan

North Bay Hydro customers can choose Time-of-Use, Tiered or — where offered — Ultra-Low Overnight at 3.7¢/kWh from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Households with an EV or flexible loads often save on ULO.

Compare plans

Where to start

Air seal and insulate the attic
Insulate basement walls and rim joists
Replace end-of-life heating with a heat pump or hybrid
Swap remaining bulbs for LEDs

Take the home energy checkup

Common questions in North Bay

Who supplies electricity in North Bay?

North Bay Hydro delivers electricity to most homes in North Bay. Commodity prices are set province-wide by the Ontario Energy Board; delivery charges are set for each utility. You can choose Time-of-Use, Ultra-Low Overnight (where offered) or Tiered pricing by contacting your utility.

Do heat pumps work in North Bay winters?

Yes. North Bay's design temperature is about -28 °C, and cold-climate air-source heat pumps are rated to operate around −25 °C to −30 °C with reduced capacity at the coldest temperatures. In a climate this cold, plan for backup heat — electric strips or your existing furnace in a hybrid setup.

What rebates are available in North Bay?

Homeowners in North Bay can use Ontario's Home Renovation Savings Program for heat pumps, insulation, windows, smart thermostats and more, along with income-qualified programs from Save on Energy and Enbridge Gas. Some municipalities also offer home energy loans — check with the City of North Bay.

Roofs in North Bay can produce about 1,170 kWh per installed kW each year. Estimate it for your roof