A recent survey conducted by Compare the Market has found that over one-quarter of Canadians are making significant changes to their energy habits due to the rising cost of living. Specifically, 27% of respondents reported altering their energy usage, while 48% said they have been affected by increasing costs. Only 18% indicated they have remained largely unaffected.
Key Findings from the Survey
The survey, which polled 1,013 Canadian adults in April 2026, revealed that 70% of participants have seen their energy bills increase over the past year. Among them, 24% reported a significant rise, while 19% said their bills remained roughly the same. The findings highlight the financial pressure many households are facing.
Energy-Saving Measures Adopted
According to the survey, Canadians are taking various steps to reduce energy consumption. Heating, cooling, and laundry are among the most energy-intensive areas where changes are being made. Specifically, 38% of respondents are using heating or air conditioning less frequently, and 48% have lowered the effectiveness of their heating and cooling settings to reduce power draw. Additionally, 41% are using cold wash cycles for laundry, and 23% are running appliances during off-peak hours.
Other common measures include taking shorter showers (31%) and replacing traditional light bulbs with energy-saving alternatives (42%). These adjustments reflect a broader effort to manage household expenses amid rising costs.
Low Adoption of Provider Comparison
Despite the financial strain, only 7% of Canadians have compared energy providers in the past year to find a cheaper or more suitable plan. Compare the Market’s Head of Energy, Meredith O’Brien, emphasized the importance of shopping around for better rates. “Comparing available energy plans is important because as prices rise, you don’t want to be stuck paying more than you have to,” O’Brien said in a statement. “You can potentially find plans with better rates, and anything you can do to cut down on the cost of your energy usage can have an impact on your energy bill.”
O’Brien added that combining provider comparison with other energy-saving measures can help households significantly reduce their bills. The survey was commissioned by Compare the Market and conducted by PureProfile.
