It keeps us warm and fuzzy, and cool and calm, but heating and cooling costs can add up. They add up to about 22 per cent of your household electricity spending — but there are ways to save and stay comfy.
Thermostats
Changing the temperature of your home by even a few degrees can make a big difference. For every degree (Celsius) you lower your thermostat overnight for an eight-hour period, you can save up to 2% on your heating costs.
Programmable Thermostats
When you're not at home, you don't need to keep your thermostat set to the same temperature. Install a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust the temperature in your home for when you're at work or asleep. You can even set different temperatures for weekdays and weekends! Newer thermostats come with wireless options where you can set your temperature through a smartphone or remote control.
When used properly, a programmable thermostat can save a significant amount in energy costs. Learn more about energy savings tips.
Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats put you in complete control of your home's heating and cooling systems no matter where you are. You can adjust them from your mobile device or through a web application. They use sensors to learn your behaviour, allow you to control the climate in your home remotely, and can even adjust themselves based on outside conditions.
Learn more about our power saving programs and save on efficiency products for your home.
Air Conditioning
Consider the characteristics of your home and the size of the room(s) to be cooled before purchasing an air conditioner. This will help you determine the capacity of the unit you should buy. Compare the quality, cost and energy efficiency of the various models available, as well as the type of unit (wall- or window-mounted, mobile or heat pump) that best meets your needs.
Air conditioning systems can be expensive. Ceiling fans and circulating fans are a cheaper way to stay cool.
Heat pumps
Heat pumps are heating and cooling systems that operate by transferring heat from one location to another. They’re designed to extract heat from indoor or outdoor air, water, or the ground, and provide cooling or heating to your home’s distribution system. An air conditioner is one type of heat pump, which moves indoor building heat outdoors. During colder months, the process is reversed, and the heat pump absorbs heat energy from the outside air or ground and transfers it to the indoor air.
Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pumps
Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pumps could be an option for heating and cooling your home in Saskatchewan. But this depends on many factors. In Saskatchewan, heat pumps need a supplementary heating source for when the temperature drops below the heat pump’s minimum operating temperature. This can range from -20 to -30 degrees Celsius depending on the model. A supplementary heat source can take various forms, depending on your needs and preferences. Common options include:
- a natural gas furnace
- electric baseboard
- central electric ducted furnaces
- a wood-burning fireplace
Over its lifetime, a heat pump in combination with a supplementary heating source will produce fewer GHG emissions than oil, diesel, electric resistance, and electric forced air heating systems. This is based on our current and forecasted emissions and produce less emissions than natural gas based on our emissions forecast. Monthly heating costs will also be lower compared to oil, diesel, electric resistance, and electric forced air heating systems. But, expect monthly heating costs to be higher compared to a natural gas furnace.
Compare costs and emissions for different heating sources
| Heating System | Lifetime GHG Emissions (T CO2-e) | Annual Heating Costs ($) |
|---|---|---|
| 95% AFUE Natural Gas Furnace | 91 | $821 |
| 95% AFUE Natural Gas Furnace + CCASHP | 71 | $1,495 |
| 95% AFUE Oil Heating Furnace | 142 | $5,993 |
| 95% AFUE Oil Heating Furnace + CCASHP | 99 | $4,290 |
| 95% AFUE Diesel Furnace | 130 | $5,955 |
| 95% AFUE Diesel Furnace + CCASHP | 92 | $4,269 |
| Electric Resistance Baseboard/central | 116 | $5,619 |
| Electric Resistance Baseboard/central + CCASHP | 67 | $3,256 |
Calculations based on the following assumptions:
- Heat pump operates above -20°C.
- Based on a 1980 2-Story detached home size with a peak heating load of 14.5kW.
- The Lifetime value is based on 15 years of operation starting in 2024 (2024-2038).
- Our forecasted emissions.
- Energy Costs include all-in with taxes as they are directly correlated to usage.
- Carbon tax is not considered.
- Annual costs are based on current residential rates (2024), and don’t consider inflation.
If you're considering a heat pump, consult a professional to assess your specific situation.
