Ontario homeowners heated by Enbridge Gas are paying slightly more for natural gas this summer and fall. In a decision and interim rate order issued June 23, 2026 (case EB-2026-0156), the Ontario Energy Board approved new gas prices effective July 1. The OEB's backgrounder puts the increase for a typical residential customer at between $7.50 and $41.24 a year, depending on rate zone.
The decision in brief
The short answer: a modest increase, unevenly spread, driven by last winter's weather rather than by this year's market.
The change came through the quarterly rate adjustment mechanism (QRAM), the process the OEB uses to update the commodity prices that distributors pass through to customers. Gas distributors are not allowed to earn a profit on the gas itself; the QRAM adjusts for forecast prices over the next 12 months and corrects for the gap between past forecasts and actual costs.
The OEB approved the application on an interim basis at Enbridge's request.
Bill impact by rate zone
The short answer: the former Enbridge Gas Distribution area saw the largest increase, roughly three to five times the increase in the former Union Gas zones.
| Rate zone (typical annual use) | Annual bill before July 1 | Annual bill from July 1 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enbridge Gas Distribution (2,400 m³) | $987.38 | $1,028.62 | +$41.24 (4.2%) |
| Union South (2,200 m³) | $904.61 | $917.06 | +$12.45 (1.4%) |
| Union North East (2,200 m³) | $1,157.48 | $1,170.27 | +$12.79 (1.1%) |
| Union North West (2,200 m³) | $863.80 | $871.30 | +$7.50 (0.9%) |
The OEB notes that actual impacts depend on each customer's consumption, and that gas use is generally lowest in summer.
Why prices moved
The short answer: a colder winter pushed up past supply costs, and a one-time conservation adjustment was added.
According to the backgrounder, weather across all Enbridge rate zones was 10% colder than normal from November 2025 to March 2026. Demand ran above forecast, and gas prices rose at several North American trading points. Those costs are now being recovered through a true-up of past prices. The OEB said forward natural gas prices were generally decreasing, but bills were rising to recover past costs that came in higher than expected.
The July bills also include a one-time adjustment to clear balances tied to Enbridge's 2023 Demand Side Management conservation program.
For context, the OEB's January 2026 backgrounder had shown typical annual increases of $66.97 to $97.88 from January 1, so July was the second upward step of 2026 in the quarters we reviewed. An April 1 adjustment came in between; we did not review its backgrounder for this story.
Analysis: what this means for heating contractors
This section is HeatingNews.ca analysis, not part of the OEB decision.
An increase of about $3.40 a month in the Enbridge Gas Distribution zone is not, by itself, a reason for a homeowner to replace a working furnace. Contractors who imply otherwise risk credibility. What the quarterly cycle does create is a predictable rhythm of news: every three months, Ontario media and homeowners talk about gas bills for a few days.
Practical points for Ontario heating businesses:
- Plan content around the QRAM calendar. January, April, July and October changes are announced shortly before they take effect. A short, factual page that explains the change for your service area, updated each quarter, answers questions customers are already asking. Our rate-change explainer pages service is built around this.
- Separate commodity talk from equipment talk. The QRAM changes the price of gas, not the efficiency of a furnace. A replacement pitch should rest on the age, condition and efficiency of the equipment, not on one quarter's price.
- Watch the Union North zones. Northern Ontario homes use more gas and pay higher annual bills, so efficiency and heat pump hybrid conversations carry more weight there. See our Ontario page for open provincial programs.
Contractors outside Enbridge territory should note that other Ontario gas distributors have their own rate schedules approved by the OEB.
What to watch next
The next QRAM change follows the same quarterly schedule. The OEB publishes a backgrounder with each decision, which is the most reliable source for bill impacts. For other provinces' utility decisions this year, see our reports on FortisBC's January 2026 gas rates and Manitoba Hydro's interim increase, or return to the newsroom.
Frequently asked questions
How much did Enbridge Gas bills change on July 1, 2026?
The OEB's backgrounder shows typical residential annual bills rising by $41.24 (4.2%) in the Enbridge Gas Distribution zone, $12.45 in Union South, $12.79 in Union North East and $7.50 in Union North West.
Why did prices go up if forward gas prices were falling?
According to the OEB, the November 2025 to March 2026 period was 10% colder than normal, so customers used more gas and market prices rose. Those higher past costs are now being recovered through a true-up, even though forward prices were generally decreasing.
Are these rates final?
No. The OEB approved them on an interim basis at Enbridge's request, as it has for other recent quarterly adjustments.
When does Ontario's gas price change again?
Quarterly rate adjustments take effect on the first day of January, April, July and October. Each one is reviewed and approved by the OEB.
Sources
- Ontario Energy Board backgrounder: Decision and Interim Rate Order, Enbridge Gas Inc., EB-2026-0156 (2026-06-23) (2026-06-23)
- Ontario Energy Board: EB-2026-0156 Decision page (2026-06-23)
- Ontario Energy Board backgrounder: Decision and Interim Rate Order, Enbridge Gas Inc., EB-2025-0308 (2025-12-19) (2025-12-19)