| Parameter | Value | Note |
|---|
Canadian Provincial Electricity Grid Emission Factors
| Province/Territory | Grid Emission Factor (g CO2/kWh) | Primary Generation Source |
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Why your province determines your HVAC carbon footprint more than your equipment does
For electric heating and cooling systems, the carbon footprint depends almost entirely on the source of electricity generation in your province, not just on the equipment's electrical consumption. Canada's provinces have dramatically different electricity grid compositions, ranging from nearly carbon-free hydroelectric-dominated grids to grids still significantly reliant on fossil fuel generation, and this single factor often matters more than the efficiency rating of the equipment itself when calculating actual emissions.
Quebec, Manitoba, and British Columbia generate the vast majority of their electricity from hydroelectric power, giving them grid emission factors typically under 30 grams of CO2 per kWh, some of the lowest in the world. Alberta and Saskatchewan still depend significantly on natural gas and coal generation, with grid emission factors that can exceed 400-600 grams of CO2 per kWh, more than 15 times higher than the hydro-dominated provinces for the identical kilowatt-hour of electricity consumed.
Combustion emission factors for fossil fuels
Unlike electricity, the carbon emission factor for directly combusted fuels like natural gas, propane, and heating oil is essentially the same everywhere in Canada, since these are direct combustion emissions based on the fuel's chemical composition rather than a varying generation mix. Natural gas emits approximately 1.88 kg of CO2 per cubic metre burned. Propane emits approximately 1.51 kg of CO2 per litre. Heating oil emits approximately 2.75 kg of CO2 per litre. These factors don't change based on where in Canada you live, unlike the electricity grid factor.
Comparing heating choices across provinces
This is why the same heating system choice produces very different carbon outcomes depending on province. A heat pump in Quebec running on near-zero-carbon hydroelectricity produces a tiny fraction of the emissions of an identical heat pump in Alberta running on a gas-and-coal-heavy grid, even though both consume similar electrical energy for the same heating output. Use this calculator with your specific province selected to get an accurate comparison, then cross-reference against the heat pump vs furnace calculator to see both the cost and carbon dimensions of your heating system decision together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Each province's electricity grid has a different generation mix. Quebec, Manitoba, and BC generate most electricity from hydroelectric power, giving very low grid emission factors, often under 30 g CO2/kWh. Alberta and Saskatchewan rely significantly on gas and coal, with factors that can exceed 400-600 g CO2/kWh. An electric heat pump in Quebec can have a dramatically lower carbon footprint than the identical unit in Alberta, purely from the electricity source. Select your province above for an accurate result.
In low-carbon-grid provinces like Quebec, BC, and Manitoba, switching from gas to a heat pump dramatically reduces emissions, often by 80% or more. In higher-carbon-grid provinces like Alberta and Saskatchewan, the benefit is smaller and depends on the heat pump's COP at operating temperature — in some cold-climate scenarios the net reduction may be modest. Use this calculator with your actual province to compare your specific result rather than relying on a generic national assumption.