Managing Your Energy Use and Bill
Understanding Your Energy Use and Managing Your Bill
Just like the seasons, your energy use naturally changes over the course of the year. Learn what affects your electricity use, why your bill can fluctuate, and what tools, programs, and support are available to help you manage these household costs all year long.
If you still have questions that the information below doesn’t answer, we’re always here to help. Please reach out.
Understanding Your Energy Use Through the Year
As Seasons Change, So Can Your Power Bill
Seasonal changes have a big impact on electricity use. Especially in winter, when we spend more time indoors, use more lighting, cook more meals, and—the biggest factor of all—heat our homes. It’s important to be aware and prepared for this seasonal shift in your bill. In summer, cooling and dehumidifying your home can also increase usage. The good news is that a few simple adjustments can help you stay comfortable and manage your costs.
Switching To Electric Heating Can Affect Your Costs
If you’re thinking about moving to heat pumps, it’s good to know how the switch affects your heating and cooling costs. For most households that remove oil or propane costs and add a heat pump, their overall energy costs will be lower. Yes, by switching, you made a good call!
Discover How Heat Pumps Shift—and Lower—Your Energy Spending
When you switch from a traditional oil or propane heating source, your power bill will almost always go up – but don’t panic! It’s not because heat pumps are expensive to run, but because you’re now using electricity to do all the heating work. This means the costs that once showed up on separate bills for fuel deliveries and furnace repairs, now show up on your power bill. Heat pumps are extremely efficient, so they almost always cost less to operate than oil or propane systems. Switch, and you’re almost certain to save money on your overall energy costs.
Learn more about how to understand your energy wallet >
Why Your Bill Might Change
It’s normal for your electricity bill to change with the seasons, and there are a few common reasons why.
Weather
About 60% of a homes’ annual energy use goes toward heating — and during the winter months, that share climbs even higher, driving costs up by more than 70%. In colder months, your heating systems work harder to keep your home comfortable.
More heating = higher energy use and a bigger bill.
Thermostat Settings
A small temperature change can make a big difference. For helpful setting recommendations that can save you money, check out this article.
Household Activity
Having more people at home—during holidays, school breaks, or special occasions—means more cooking, more showers, more laundry, and more heating or cooling.
Want a deeper look at how your power bill works?
If you’ve ever wondered what each line on your bill really means, we’ve got you.
How to read your bill
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Managing And Controlling Your Bill
How you use electricity, when you use it, and what you use it for is different for every household. To help, we have a range of tools and programs designed to make managing your electricity costs more predictable.
Know What to Expect with Equal Billing
The changes from season to season can be tough for many Nova Scotians to budget for. If you heat with electricity, winter months naturally lead to higher usage, which can make bills tougher to manage. Equal billing takes your annual electricity use and spreads it over 12 equal monthly payments. That means:
- Your bill is the same amount every month
- Predictable bills, even during the colder months
- Easier household budgeting all year long
- A clear picture of what to expect, even when energy use fluctuates
Make Your Home More Efficient
Upgrading to more energy-efficient products—like heat pumps, water heaters, and electric thermal storage—can help you save energy and stay comfortable all year.
Efficiency Nova Scotia Resources
Efficiency Nova Scotia is the provincial provider of energy saving programs and services for Nova Scotians. Visit their website to learn about how you can upgrade your space and save on energy bills.
Efficiency Nova Scotia programs & rebates >
Explore Different Rate Options
We offer different rate options to fit your energy use and lifestyle—whether you prefer our standard rate or you’re interested in shifting when you use electricity to help manage costs.
All Your Services in One Place
The first step to managing your energy costs is understanding them. MyAccount, your Nova Scotia Power online account, makes that easy. Use MyAccount to view and download bills, set payment reminders, track energy usage, and make secure payments
We ARE Here For You
If you're struggling to pay your bill, we're here to help. In support of Nova Scotians living on a low income, there are support programs available through the government and Efficiency Nova Scotia. We continue to work with customer advocates, including the Affordable Energy Coalition, as well as the provincial government, on ways to ensure support for our customers living on a lower income.
Request Payment Arrangement
You may have questions about your recent bills, and we are here to support you.
Learn more >If you’re ever unsure where to start, reach out to us. We’ll help you explore your options and find the support that’s right for you.
Contact Us by visiting our Customer Service Page.