What do utilities cost in a Prince George winter?
Electricity is BC Hydro (two-step residential rate), natural gas is FortisBC, and water, sewer and garbage are billed by the City. Heating is the big winter cost; our household cost calculator puts the current rates together.
Checked October 1, 2026. Numbers update on their own.
BC Hydro’s residential rate is 11.87¢ per kWh for the first block of use and 14.08¢ per kWh above it, plus a basic charge of 23.44¢ a day. Gas heat (FortisBC) is the most common; its rates change quarterly. City utilities (water, sewer, garbage and recycling) are flat-rate for most houses and billed twice a year.
Your bill depends mostly on the size, age and insulation of the home and how you heat it. Ask a landlord or seller for the last 12 months of bills, and use the calculator for an estimate.
By the numbers, live
BC Hydro step 1 energy rate
11.87¢ per kWh
September 30, 2026. BC Hydro, Residential rates (tiered rate, flat rate and time-of-day pricing pages). More on bc hydro step 1 energy rate
BC Hydro step 2 energy rate
14.08¢ per kWh
September 30, 2026. BC Hydro, Residential rates (tiered rate, flat rate and time-of-day pricing pages). More on bc hydro step 2 energy rate
BC Hydro basic charge
23.44¢ a day
September 30, 2026. BC Hydro, Residential rates (tiered rate, flat rate and time-of-day pricing pages). More on bc hydro basic charge
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Official sources
- BC Hydro: residential ratesLink checked October 14, 2026
- FortisBC: natural gas ratesLink checked October 14, 2026
- City of Prince George: paying your billLink checked October 14, 2026
