Cold Montreal winter means steep Hydro-Quebec bills for many

As Quebecers heating bills rise with the temperature dropping, Montrealers still get out and enjoy winter activities.

As temperatures go down, many are turning their thermostats up. However, staying warm comes at a cost.

As southern Quebec is under the blanket of another biting cold winter with arctic blasts and daytime highs in the minus teens, Hydro-Quebec customers could be paying up to 10 per cent more to stay warm.

“If you look at the November, December and January period, for this, for those three months, the cold might have an effect on your bill,” said spokesperson Cendrix Bouchard. “If they live in a house, they might expect their bill to be $100 more for that very specific period, and in an apartment, $30.”

This weekend, nighttime wind chill values could go as low as -28 C.

However, there are options for those who’d rather save and even make money.

Heat pumps use 40 per cent less electricity than baseboard heaters, and Hydro-Quebec offers rebates to make the switch to more energy-efficient options.

Despite the cold, some Montrealers braved the elements on the weekend.

At the Dorval Winter Festival, parents and children turned a blind eye to a wind chill of -27 C for time alongside Montreal Victoire forward Jade Downie-Landry.

“It’s very cold out, but, honestly, the most Canadian thing to do is to play some outdoor hockey,” said the Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu native.

Those who want to hit the outdoors this weekend will have to layer up, as air continues to move toward Quebec from the north, meaning there will be more cold ahead.