We don’t think much about it until that first bill arrives, but heating your home can be expensive. It doesn’t have to be as high as last winter’s, though. With a few changes around the house and by taking advantage of available programs, you can cut the cost of keeping your family warm over the next few months.
Here are some easy-to-implement steps to improve home comfort and decrease energy costs in 2026.
Book professional heating maintenance to improve efficiency, comfort, and long-term energy savings.
Heat loss through gaps and poor insulation directly increases your bill.
Small gaps around windows, doors, and outlets let warm air escape and cold air in. Updating weather-stripping, caulking, or installing draft stoppers are inexpensive fixes that reduce heat loss and save energy.
Ontario homeowners can also take advantage of provincial rebates to improve insulation and air sealing, which reduces the total heating load and utility costs.
Setting your thermostat just a few degrees lower can cut heating costs without sacrificing comfort. Better yet, smart and programmable thermostats give you control over when and where your home is warmest. Some models allow schedules or occupancy sensing, so heat isn’t being used when everyone’s out. In many cases, local utilities or the provincial energy rebate programs offer incentives or rebates for smart thermostat purchases and installations.
A neglected furnace or boiler works harder and less efficiently. Something as simple as a dirty filter can make a huge difference. Replace filters regularly and schedule annual maintenance so your system pushes warm air effectively and with less energy.
Regular servicing can keep your system operating as designed and avoid costly breakdowns in the coldest months.
Ontario has recently launched new home energy savings programs that make efficiency upgrades more affordable. These also translate to direct savings on heating costs.
These programs are designed to help homeowners of nearly all heating types, whether your home uses natural gas, electricity, propane, oil, or other systems.
Request a quote for energy-efficient heating upgrades that may qualify for Ontario rebates.
The Ontario government, working with Save on Energy and Enbridge Gas, offers rebates for energy-saving upgrades through the Home Renovation Savings Program. Rebates cover:
Rebates can cover up to 30 percent of eligible project costs, depending on the upgrade and whether you bundle multiple improvements.
Before investing in upgrades, check eligibility requirements and consider starting with a home energy assessment. Many rebate streams require one to maximize savings.
The Save On Energy Peak Perks program rewards participants for reducing electricity use during grid peak times.
Additionally, the Ontario Energy Board’s Green Button tool lets customers track real natural gas and electricity use to help bring awareness to when they are using utilities the most. Tracking may influence you to adopt more energy-saving behaviours.
Heating costs don’t have to skyrocket each winter. Simple behavioural changes combined with basic yet targeted energy-saving upgrades (many of which are supported by provincial rebate programs) can help homeowners manage comfort amidst rising costs.
If you want to upgrade any of your systems or book much-needed maintenance, contact Appleby Systems today. We are Oakville’s and Burlington’s trusted HVAC experts!
