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Energy Efficiency Ontario

Local guide

Lowering energy bills in Sault Ste. Marie

Lake-effect snow and long heating seasons; many homes still heat with electric baseboards.

Last reviewed November 2, 2026
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Sault Ste. Marie at a glance

Electricity distributor
PUC Distribution
Natural gas
Enbridge Gas
Heating degree days
about 5,000 per year
Winter design temperature
about -26 °C
Solar potential
about 1,150 kWh per kW per year
Electricity prices
Province-wide RPP, effective November 1, 2026

Typical annual heating cost in Sault Ste. Marie

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

Natural gas furnace (95%)$1,430
Cold-climate heat pump$2,270
Propane (92%)$4,550
Electric baseboard$4,990
Heating oil (80%)$5,890

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 Sault Ste. Marie

A typical 2,000 sq ft existing home here needs roughly 42k BTU/h of heat at -26 °C. Ask contractors for capacity at that temperature, not just the nominal tonnage.

Estimate your home's load

Choosing a price plan

PUC Distribution 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

  1. Air seal and insulate the attic
  2. Insulate basement walls and rim joists
  3. Replace end-of-life heating with a heat pump or hybrid
  4. Swap remaining bulbs for LEDs
Take the home energy checkup

Common questions in Sault Ste. Marie

Who supplies electricity in Sault Ste. Marie?
PUC Distribution delivers electricity to most homes in Sault Ste. Marie. 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 Sault Ste. Marie winters?
Yes. Sault Ste. Marie's design temperature is about -26 °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 Sault Ste. Marie?
Homeowners in Sault Ste. Marie 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 Sault Ste. Marie.

Roofs in Sault Ste. Marie can produce about 1,150 kWh per installed kW each year. Estimate it for your roof

Nearby cities