Electrical

 What is the current vacancy rate for appartments in Toronto. Is this high?

Right now, the vacancy rate for purpose-built rental units in Toronto is around 3%. Historically, Toronto has had a tight rental market, so a 3% vacancy rate is relatively moderate—neither extremely high nor critically low.

If you're looking for an apartment, this means there are some options available, but demand is still strong. Rental prices tend to move in relation to vacancy rates, so it's worth keeping an eye on trends if you're considering a move.

Are you searching for a place, or just curious about the market?

What percentage of Toronto appartments come with appliances?

In Toronto, around 70% or more of rental apartments come with appliances included. This is fairly standard across most provinces in Canada, except for Quebec, where only about 23% of rental units include appliances.

If you're apartment hunting, it's always good to double-check what's included—some listings might offer appliances as an extra perk, while others might require you to bring your own. Are you currently looking for a place, or just curious about rental trends?

Does Quebec have a rental market with a lesser proportion of appartments in high rises?

Yes, Quebec has a rental market with a lower proportion of apartments in high-rise buildings compared to cities like Toronto or Vancouver. The province has a strong tradition of low-rise and mid-rise apartment buildings, particularly in cities like Montreal, where triplexes and multiplexes are common.

In fact, 61.3% of new homes in Quebec are rented, but many of these are in smaller buildings rather than high-rise towers. The rental market in Quebec tends to favor walk-up apartments, duplexes, and townhouses, which are more integrated into neighborhoods rather than concentrated in large residential towers.

Are you looking for a place in Quebec, or just curious about how rental markets differ across Canada?

What about heating; Is electrical heating less or more prevalent in Quebec?

Electrical heating is very prevalent in Quebec! Nearly 65% of households in the province use either electric baseboard heaters (58%) or electric radiant heating (7%). This is largely due to Quebec’s abundant hydroelectric power, which makes electricity a more affordable and sustainable heating option compared to fossil fuels.

In contrast, provinces like Ontario and Alberta rely more on forced air furnaces, which are typically powered by natural gas. Quebec’s preference for electric heating also aligns with its environmental policies, as hydroelectricity is a low-emission energy source.

Are you considering switching to electric heating, or just curious about regional differences?

But surely all high rise units are electrical?

You're right that most high-rise apartments in Quebec use electric heating, but not all of them. While electric baseboard heating is the most common system in residential towers, some high-rises—especially older ones—might still use centralized gas or oil heating.

However, Quebec’s reliance on hydroelectric power makes electric heating the dominant choice, particularly in newer buildings. Some high-rises even integrate electric thermal storage systems, which help manage energy consumption more efficiently.

Are you considering moving into a high-rise, or just curious about heating trends?

Are electrical heating costs less in Quebec?

Yes, electrical heating costs are significantly lower in Quebec compared to other provinces. Thanks to Quebec’s abundant hydroelectric power, the province enjoys the cheapest electricity rates in Canada, averaging 7.8¢ per kWh.

For comparison:

Ontario: 14.1¢ per kWh

British Columbia: 11.4¢ per kWh

Alberta: 25.8¢ per kWh

This means heating a home with electricity in Quebec is far more affordable than in provinces that rely on natural gas or higher electricity rates. In fact, a household in Montreal pays about half of what a similar household in Toronto would pay for electricity.

Are you considering switching to electric heating, or just curious about energy costs?

Do rents in Toronto high rises usually include heating?

Yes, many high-rise apartments in Toronto include heating in the rent, but it depends on the building and the lease agreement. In older buildings, heating is often included as part of the rent, especially if the building uses centralized heating systems. However, in newer high-rises, tenants may be responsible for their own heating costs, particularly if the unit has individual electric heating.

If you're apartment hunting, it's always good to check the lease details—some listings will specify whether heating is included, while others might require tenants to pay separately. You can browse available listings on platforms like Realtor.ca, Zumper, or Zillow to see what different buildings offer.

Are you looking for a place in Toronto, or just curious about rental trends?

How and where is electricity generated in Ontario?

Ontario generates electricity from a diverse mix of sources, including nuclear, hydroelectric, natural gas, wind, and solar2.

Breakdown of Ontario’s Electricity Generation:

Nuclear (55%) – Ontario relies heavily on nuclear power, with major plants like Bruce Power and Darlington providing steady baseload electricity.

Hydroelectric (24%) – Large hydro stations in the Ottawa River Basin and Moose River Basin contribute a significant portion of Ontario’s clean energy.

Natural Gas (12%) – Used primarily for peak demand periods, natural gas plants help balance the grid.

Wind (8%) & Solar (4%) – Renewable sources are growing, with wind farms and solar installations adding to Ontario’s energy mix.

Ontario’s electricity system is designed to be reliable and low-emission, with 91% of its power coming from non-carbon sources. The province also imports and exports electricity to balance supply and demand3.

Are you interested in how Ontario’s energy policies shape this mix, or just curious about the infrastructure?

And in Quebec, how is it generated?

Quebec’s electricity is overwhelmingly hydroelectric, with 94.3% of its power coming from hydro sources. The province has vast water resources, and Hydro-Québec operates numerous dams and generating stations across the region.

Breakdown of Quebec’s Electricity Generation:

Hydroelectric (94.3%) – The backbone of Quebec’s power grid, sourced from major rivers like the Romaine River and Churchill Falls.

Wind (5%) – Quebec is Canada’s second-largest wind power producer, with farms spread across the province.

Biomass & Other Renewables (0.3%) – Includes bioenergy projects and small-scale renewable initiatives.

Thermal (0.4%) – Used mainly for backup power in remote areas.

Quebec’s reliance on hydroelectricity makes it one of the cleanest energy producers in North America, with extremely low greenhouse gas emissions.

Are you interested in how Quebec’s energy policies shape this mix, or just curious about the infrastructure?