The Quebec heating market for contractors

The heating mix

The short answer: electricity dominates; gas and wood are small.

Statistics Canada's 2023 household survey shows 70% of Quebec households using electricity for their primary heating system, 5% natural gas and 4% wood. Baseboard heaters remain common, and cold-climate heat pumps are the main upgrade conversation. Montréal, Québec City, Laval, Gatineau and Longueuil are the largest markets, followed by Sherbrooke, Lévis and Saguenay.

Climate and the season

The short answer: cold, snowy winters and a long season outside the St. Lawrence lowlands.

Heating demand runs from October to April, with the coldest weeks in January and February. Electrically heated homes move into Hydro-Québec's higher-priced second energy tier during those weeks, which is where efficiency upgrades show the biggest bill effect.

Rates and prices in the news

The short answer: 3.0% for homes in 2026 and 2027, 2.6% in 2028.

In decision D-2026-033, the Régie de l'énergie set Hydro-Québec's increases for the 2026–2028 cycle, with residential rates within the government's 3.0% cap and a larger increase on the second energy tier. Our report on Hydro-Québec's 2026–2028 rates includes the Régie's monthly bill estimates by home size.

Programs as of October 2026

The short answer: LogisVert is the main heat pump program; two others changed or closed.

• LogisVert (Hydro-Québec): grants for ENERGY STAR heat pumps, calculated per 1,000 BTU/h of capacity at -8°C, with a higher rate for cold-climate units, up to $6,700, plus support for geothermal systems and other measures. Hydro-Québec said LogisVert requests were being processed normally despite the federal rebate announcement.
• Rénoclimat: from October 1, 2026 the pre-retrofit evaluation became optional and new caps apply.
• Chauffez vert: closed; no applications after March 31, 2026.
• Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program: a June 29, 2026 federal agreement commits $243.5 million for about 25,000 low- and median-income households, delivered by Quebec's environment ministry with Hydro-Québec.

Confirm with each administrator before advertising any amount.

Regulators to know

The short answer: the RBQ for contractor licensing, the CCQ for construction trades, the Régie for rates.

• The Régie du bâtiment du Québec issues contractor licences and supervises building safety, a remit that reaches gas, plumbing and pressure equipment.
• The Commission de la construction du Québec handles competency certification for construction workers.
• The Régie de l'énergie approves Hydro-Québec's and gas distributors' rates.

We link and summarise only.

How we approach marketing in Quebec

The short answer: French first, grants second, honest efficiency maths third.

1. French-language content. Under the Charter of the French Language, websites for Quebec customers must be available in French; the OQLF explains business obligations. We plan French pages from the start.
2. Grant-led heat pump campaigns. LogisVert amounts depend on capacity and cold-climate rating; explain the calculation rather than quoting one number. See fuel-switching campaigns.
3. Second-tier savings. Show how winter consumption interacts with the tiered rate, with dated figures.
4. Oil and propane holdouts. With Chauffez vert closed, remaining oil homes need fresh, accurate messages.

A seasonal calendar for Quebec

• April: Hydro-Québec's new rates take effect on April 1 each year of the cycle, so refresh your rate content in March.
• Autumn: heat pump and LogisVert content performs best before the first cold weeks.
• January: second-tier consumption peaks in electrically heated homes; explain it with real bills.

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