A rate-change explainer page is a short, plain-language article on your company's website that tells local homeowners what a utility decision or program change means for them. It names the source, shows the date, gives the key numbers and explains which homes are affected. Done well, it is the page people find when they search for the news, and it carries your phone number.
What it is
The short answer: our newsroom method, applied to your service area and published under your name.
On HeatingNews.ca we report decisions such as Hydro-Québec's 2026–2028 rates and Manitoba Hydro's interim increase from the regulator's own documents. For a client, we do the same work for the decisions that matter in their territory, then add what a homeowner in that area should know: which homes are affected, how big the change is in dollars, and what options exist.
Each page includes:
- a headline that matches how people search for the news;
- a one-paragraph answer first;
- a small table of the key figures, with the source linked and dated;
- a section on what it means for local homes, written for homeowners, not regulators;
- a clear invitation to call, text or email your company with questions.
Who it is for
The short answer: contractors in provinces where rate and program news is frequent and customers ask about it.
It suits:
- Ontario gas contractors, because Enbridge Gas prices change quarterly through the OEB.
- Quebec heat pump installers, where Hydro-Québec rates and LogisVert grants drive questions.
- BC heating companies, after CleanBC Better Homes rule changes in July 2026.
- Atlantic contractors, where both utility rate decisions and oil prices are in the news.
It is less useful if your market is quiet on rates and your main problem is local visibility; then local search comes first.
What's included
The short answer: research, writing, publishing and upkeep.
- A rate and program calendar for your province: known decision dates, quarterly adjustments, program deadlines.
- Source review: we read the decision or program page itself, not a news summary.
- Drafting in your company's voice, with a review step for you.
- Publishing on your website with the right headings, internal links and FAQ markup.
- Upkeep: we revise pages when a follow-up order arrives or a program closes, and change the "last updated" date.
- French or bilingual versions where your market needs them, such as Quebec and parts of New Brunswick.
Timeline
The short answer: a calendar in the first two weeks, then pages as news arrives.
- Weeks 1–2: audit your existing pages, build the provincial calendar, agree on tone.
- Weeks 3–4: publish the first two or three evergreen explainers, such as how your utility's bill is built.
- Ongoing: new pages when decisions land, updates when they change.
How results are measured
The short answer: by searches answered and calls started, not by page count.
We report on search impressions and clicks for each explainer, calls and texts that start from those pages, and how many visitors go on to service or quote pages. A page that gets traffic but no calls is rewritten. We do not promise rankings or call numbers; we show you the data monthly or weekly depending on your plan.
We review these measures with you at each reporting cycle and change course when the numbers say so.
Mistakes to avoid
The short answer: overstating, going stale and copying national news.
- Turning a small change into a sales pitch. A $3 a month increase does not justify a new furnace, and homeowners know it.
- Leaving closed programs online. It generates angry calls and erodes trust.
- Quoting a percentage without a source and date. Every number should be traceable.
- Giving eligibility or compliance advice. Explain what the administrator says, and send people there to confirm.
To see how this fits with the other services, read our services overview or check pricing. Call, text or email to discuss your province's calendar.
Frequently asked questions
How quickly can a page go up after a decision?
Timing depends on the decision and on your review. We plan the calendar in advance for scheduled changes, such as Ontario's quarterly gas adjustments, so drafts can be ready when the decision is published.
Do you give homeowners advice on rebates or eligibility?
No. The pages explain what the official source says, link it, date it and tell readers to confirm with the administrator. Eligibility decisions belong to the program.
Can the pages be in French?
Yes. For Quebec service areas we plan French-language pages, since commercial websites aimed at Quebec customers must be available in French.
What happens when a program closes?
We update or retire the page and point readers to what is open. A page that still advertises a closed program is worse than no page.