Utilities

If you own or rent a home in Kingston, you will need electricity for lights and appliances, water for drinking and cleaning, and natural gas or oil to heat your new home. Natural gas is also often used to power stoves and ovens, hot water heaters and indoor fireplaces.

Many Kingston homes are equipped with Smart Meters that record the amount of electricity, gas and water that is used at different times of the day. Utilities cost more during "peak hours" when many people are using appliances and heat. The purpose of Smart Meters is to encourage residents to lower their utility costs by avoiding peak hours.

Three companies currently provide electricity and natural gas in Kingston. See For More Information links below.

Electricity

Canada operates on a 110-volt electrical system identical to the United States. Appliances that run on 220 volts generally won't work in standard Canadian electrical plugs unless they have a dual-control switch. Newcomers may find it more convenient to purchase appliances after they arrive in Canada.

Home Heating

Many residences in Kingston are heated with home heating oil or natural gas. Electricity is also often used to heat water and for home heating, as well as for lights and appliances. Some homes use wood-burning stoves as a source of heat.

If your home is heated with oil, you must arrange with a service company to provide oil for the furnace. It's important to ask the previous owner of your home for the name of the company they used. Home heating companies are also listed in the Yellow Pages of the phone book under "Oils-Fuel."

If you are renting an apartment or house and are responsible for paying your own heat, your landlord may be able to suggest a service company. The cost of heating your home or apartment will vary according to the type of fuel and the energy efficiency of your home and heating system.

All home owners, especially those with wood stoves and natural gas furnaces and appliances, are encouraged to install a carbon monoxide (CO) detector on every level. Carbon monoxide is an odourless gas that can cause serious health problems and lead to death.

Water

City tap water is safe to drink in Kingston. The Ontario government regulates all municipal water systems in the province to ensure the water is free of bacteria and safe to drink.

Home owners and some tenants must pay for the water they consume every month. Sewage treatment costs are based on water usage. The majority of homes in Kingston obtain their water from Utilities Kingston, which provides city tap water. Residents of rural areas of the city may get their water from private wells and water systems or seasonal water supply systems.