The Average Rate of Nova Scotia Power Electricity
How Does Nova Scotia Power Function?
Nova Scotia’s primary source of electricity generation is coal, accounting for more than 60% of the province’s total generation. Electricity from oil, natural gas, hydro, wind, and biomass make up 24% of the total energy production.
Nova Scotia Power, a subsidiary of Emera, generates most Nova Scotia’s electricity. It is regulated by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board and serves 500,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers across the province.
The utility provides 95 percent of Nova Scotia’s generation, transmission, and distribution services. Electricity production by coal has significantly declined and Nova Scotia Power has moved towards other resources like petcock, natural gas, hydro & tidal, wind, biomass, and fuel oil.
After production, electricity is carried by transmission lines and sent through distribution substations with transformers that convert the electricity down to a lower voltage level that is safe for delivery to homes and businesses.
Nova Scotia has two types of billing structures:
- Time-of-Day (TOD): Depends on when you use electricity, Off-peak, On-peak, and standard rate.
- Fixed (Domestic Service Tariff): You pay a fixed amount for per kilowatt-hour use.
For TOU billing, the on-peak and off-peak hours and rates vary depending on the time of the year and whether it’s a weekday or weekend.
To qualify for the TOD rate, you must have an electric-based space heating system that has the capacity to store heat with appropriate timing and controls in place and approved by Nova Scotia Power.
Domestic Service Tariff is applicable to electric energy used by any customer in a private residence for the customer’s own domestic or household use, including lighting, cooking, heating, or refrigeration purposes.
What Affects the Cost of Your Nova Scotia Power Bill?
- Power plant costs
- Transmission and distribution system
- Time of use (off-peak and on-peak)
- Weather conditions
- Regulations
- Seasons
- Source of electricity (coal, petcock, natural gas, hydro & tidal, wind, biomass, or fuel oil)
- Regulatory costs
- Taxes
- Other delivery costs
- Distribution and transmission over high-voltage lines
- Fuel Adjustment Mechanism (FAM)
Nova Scotia Power bill has two components:
- Basic Monthly Charge: Costs of metering, distribution, and billing administration. It is fixed regardless of how much electricity you consume.
- Energy Charge: Will vary depending on how much kWh electricity you consume.
Time-of-day (TOD) rates function by invoicing a rate that is more indicative of the real cost of producing and distributing power at various times, which means power is cheapest overnight and on weekends and holidays when overall demand on the energy system is lower. Power is considerably more expensive during the winter months, when demand is at its peak.
To qualify for the TOD rate, you must have an electric-based space heating system that can store heat, has suitable timing and controls, and has been certified by Nova Scotia Power.
What Are the Average Monthly Nova Scotia Power Rates?
The Cost of Electricity in Nova Scotia Based on Domestic Service Tariff:
| Type of charges | Cost |
| Customer Charge (Fixed) | $19.170 per month |
| Energy Charge | 17.547¢ per kilowatt hour |
| Usage (kWh) | Monthly Cost |
| 600 kWh | $107 |
| 750 kWh | $151 |
| 1000 kWh | $195 |
The Cost of Electricity in Nova Scotia Based on Time-of-Day
| Time Hours | Rate (¢/ kWh) | ||
| Weekends & Holidays | Year round (116 Days)
If the holiday falls on a weekend, the TOD rate is applied to the Monday. |
24 Hours / Day | Off-Peak
11.326¢/ kWh |
| Weekdays | March to November (182 Days) | 7am to 11pm | Mid-Peak
18.603¢/ kWh |
| 11pm to 7am | Off-Peak | 11.326¢/ kWh | |
| Time Hours | Rate (¢/ kWh) | ||
| Weekdays | December to February (67 Days) | On-Peak
7am to 12pm 4pm to 11pm |
On-Peak
23.181¢/ kWh |
| Off-Peak
11pm to 7am |
Off-Peak
11.326¢/ kW |
||
| Standard Rate
12pm to 4pm |
Standard Rate
18.603¢/ kWh |
||
The time-of-day base charge is $19.17/month. The cost is measured in ¢/kWh. All costs are based on rates as of January 1, 2024.
| Electricity (Nova Scotia Power) | Off-Peak
11.326¢/kWh |
Standard Rate
18.603¢/kWh |
On-Peak
23.181¢/kWh |
Average Cost
Includes TOD base charge |
| 1000 kWh | $132.43 | $205.20 | $251 | $196.21 |
| 600 kWh | $87.17 | $131.00 | $158.25 | $125.47 |
| 750 kWh | $104.17 | $159.00 | $193.03 | $152.06 |
| $158 |
NS Power1 (Jan 2024) & NS Power2 (Jan 2024)
The Average Rates for Nova Scotia Water Bills
How Does Water Work in Nova Scotia?
The way water works in Nova Scotia is that water rates are determined by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board. Local water utilities deliver safe domestic water to your home and take care of the wastewater too. In return for these services, you pay an amount proportional to the usage in a month.
Every city has its own water utility that oversees the whole water supply and wastewater management infrastructure.
The consumers are charged for the cubic meters of water they consume in a specified period. In addition to that, there will be a basic monthly service charge based on the size of the water meter you have installed in your home.
Other water charges include:
- Wastewater treatment charges
- Drainage charges
- Stormwater
- Sanitary charges
Most water bills in Nova Scotia have two main components:
- Fixed fee component: Cost and maintenance of your water meter, costs of reading the meter monthly and issuing your bill
- Variable amount: Cost of drawing water from the water source, treating, pumping and delivering the water to your house. Wastewater and sanitary drainage are also included in the variable amount.
*The rates for residential and non-residential consumers vary.
You are billed for the following things:
- Tap Water
- Sewage/Wastewater
What Are the Factors Affecting the Cost of Water?
Here are a few factors that affect the cost of water:
- Type of home
- Meter size
- Household members
- Seasonal usage
- Appliances
- Water treatment plant costs
- Cost of drawing water from the lakes
- Maintenance and upgrades to the water system
Effective April 1, 2023, the HRM ROW charge transitioned from Halifax Water bills to municipal tax bills due to a decision by Halifax Regional Council.
What Are the Average Costs for Water Bills in Nova Scotia?
| Cubic Meter (m3)
monthly usage |
Average Cost
$3.387/m3 |
| 10 m3
Average Canadian household water consumption |
$108 |
| 20 m3 | $142 |
| 30 m3 | $176 |
*Includes wastewater charges too.
*Fixed meter charges for 30 days (for 1” meter): $74
The Average Natural Gas Rates in Nova Scotia
How Does Natural Gas Work in Nova Scotia?
The way natural gas works is that the province is connected to North America’s natural gas grids, giving it access to more than one hundred years of reserves. Consumer natural gas is still new to Nova Scotia.
The NSUARB has authority to grant franchises for the distribution of natural gas in Nova Scotia. The Board also exercises general regulatory supervision over the granted franchises, pipelines, gas plants and underground hydrocarbon storage facilities.
The Board sets the rates for the delivery of natural gas, not for the commodity itself, the regulation of the design, construction, and operation of pipelines and gas plants
Heritage Gas is a Nova Scotia-based distribution company owned by SaskEnergy Inc. It serves Cumberland, Colchester, Pictou, and Halifax Counties, in the Municipality of the District of East Hants, the Goldsboro area of Guysborough County, and Antigonish County. In summary, Heritage Gas supplies natural gas to most of the residents in Nova Scotia.
Heritage gas bill is composed of the following charges:
Delivery Charges:
- Fixed charge: A fixed charge each month that covers the cost of your service line, natural gas meter, customer account administration and 24-hour emergency service.
- Variable charge: This fee is the cost to distribute natural gas through the Heritage Gas pipeline system to your property line.
Commodity Charges:
- This is the cost of the natural gas you use each month. The price for natural gas depends on weather and market conditions and is not regulated by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board.
Other Charges:
- Cost of Carbon
- Transportation Cost Recovery Rate (TCRR)
What Are the Factors Affecting the Cost of Natural Gas?
Natural gas is traded in a competitive market where the sellers put gas on sale and the buyers (gas utility companies) bid for purchase. The prices vary throughout the year depending on weather and market conditions and are not regulated by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board. This charge is a pass through, meaning Heritage Gas does not add any additional mark-up.
Here are a few other factors that affect the cost of natural gas in Nova Scotia:
- Transmission and distribution service area
- Municipality
- Season (winter or summer)
- Delivery charge
- Usage
- Plan (Fixed or quarterly rate service)
- Equipment, size of space etc.
What Are the Average Monthly Natural Gas Rates in Nova Scotia?
Example Rate Breakdown
Average Residential Rates as of February 1, 2024.
| Charge Type | Monthly Rate | Example Charge 1 (for 7GJ) |
| Fixed Delivery Charge per month | $26.00 | $26.00 |
| Variable Charge per GJ | $9.833 | $68.83 |
| Commodity Charge per GJ | $7.80 | $54.60 |
| Other Fees | $4.187 | $29.30 |
| Total Monthly Charge2 | – | $178.73 |
| Total Annual Charge | – | $2144.76 |
Here are the lists of natural gas provider in Nova Scotia with their sample rates monthly and not all charges are included. It depends on the consumption and some fees that should apply.
| Heritage Gas | Efficiencyns.ca |
| $179 per month | $152 per month |
Heritage Gas (Feb 2024) & Efficiency, NC (Apr 2023)
The Average Internet Prices in Nova Scotia
How Does the Internet Work in Nova Scotia?
The way the internet works in Nova Scotia is that there are several local ISPs working in the province to make high-speed internet accessible for everyone. The province is still progressing, the internet infrastructure is not as developed as in other provinces, especially in the rural areas.
The most recent data from the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) finds that Nova Scotia is seriously lagging when it comes to internet speeds, particularly in rural areas. Median average internet speeds in Nova Scotia, particularly in rural areas, remain well below CRTC targets of 50 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload speeds.
The issue is an infrastructure problem. Internet infrastructure in less densely populated areas of Nova Scotia simply hasn’t been upgraded to keep pace with modern needs.
Develop Scotia has announced/included projects to connect 90,000 homes and businesses in rural Nova Scotia.
Depending on your location, you can avail the internet services through the following mediums:
- DSL (5-45 Mbps)
- Cable (20-200 Mbps)
- Fiber-optic (50-1000 Mbps)
- Satellite (5-25 Mbps)
All ISPs charge you based on the type of connection, download/upload speeds, and bandwidth. You can use the National Broadband Internet Service Availability Map by the Government of Canada to see which ISPs operate in your area.
What Are the Factors Affecting the Cost of the Internet?
- Speed and bandwidth
- Rural or urban
- Type of Internet connection (DSL, cable, fiber-optic, or satellite)
- ISP
- Add-ons
What Is the Average Cost of Internet Bills per Month in Nova Scotia?
According to the CRTC, Canada’s administrative tribunal regulating broadcasting and telecommunications, the average person in Nova Scotia pays $71 per month for a 50/10 Mbps service with unlimited monthly data transfer. Here are the average Internet costs in Nova Scotia based on type of connection and speed.
| Type of Internet | Mbps | Average Cost |
| DSL | 15 Mbps/1 Mbps | $43.95/Month |
| Cable | 100 Mbps/10 Mbps | $52.95/Month |
| Fiber-optic | 150 Mbps | $70/Month |
| Satellite | 10 Mbps | $39.99/Month |
VMedia (Feb 2024) & CRTC (2022)
The Average Cost of Cable TV in Nova Scotia
How Does Cable Work in Nova Scotia?
The good ole reliable cable TV offers multiple plans featuring up to 200 or even 300 channels. They may not be extra channels you want (like home shopping and audio-only music networks), but cable TV easily wins the quantity challenge, if compared to the modern streaming services.
The younger generation is more inclined towards the trending shows on Netflix, but for millennials and generation x, legacy cable TV is still a thing. International channels rarely cover local news, and this is where cable TV comes in.
Also, streaming services make use of your home Internet bandwidth, which means that usage is going against your data cap. If you have a 100 GB cap with 4-6 internet users, you’ll run out of included data and may be charged expensive overage fees from your ISP.
Cable TV runs even if you don’t have access to an internet connection, and have exclusive channels such as local sports channels that internet streaming services do not.
Many local cable TV operators are operating in Nova Scotia, offering various packages, prices, and features. Typically, you are charged based on how many basic and exclusive channels you opt for.
What Are the Factors Affecting the Cost of Cable?
Legacy cable TV heavily depends on the physical hardware and infrastructure for uninterrupted services. Both can affect the cost of cable. Here are a few other factors that determine how much you’re going to pay for your favourite channels:
- Area of service
- External factors (local competition, downturn in the cable market, etc.)
- Local or state taxation and fee laws
- Costs of shows and broadcasts
- Cable prices
- Number of channels
- Type of channels (sports, international, local, news, entertainment, etc.)
- HD Channels
- VOD (Video on Demand) availability
What Is the Average Cost of Cable TV per Month in Nova Scotia?
According to the CRTC, the average person in Nova Scotia pays $18 per month for their cable plan. NS urban cable TV prices range between $18 to $25 and $25 in rural areas. Here are the average cable costs in Nova Scotia based on their type of plan:
| Type of cable plan | Average Cost |
| Basic Cable | $19.99 |
| Standard Cable | $29.99 |
North Nova Cable (Feb 2024)
The Average Cost of Home Phones in Nova Scotia
How Do Home Phones Work in Nova Scotia?
The way home phones work in Nova Scotia is that you need to set up an account with a telephone company, whether you own or rent a home.
62.3% of the households in Nova Scotia have landline service, and that’s the third-best ratio in Canada. The reason? Landlines offer quick and reliable communication. Traditional copper landlines are self-powering, so they keep working even if there’s a power outage. Your landline is also associated with your exact address. In case of an emergency, EMTs know where you are.
So, when storms knock out power or the cell towers go dark, you can trust your gold old landline to keep working. They’re usually the best technology for placing and receiving phone calls at home!
Many households have elderly who are more familiar with landlines than the all-new tech-savvy smartphones. It’s easier for them to make and receive calls as there’s always a landline phone nearby. Some hearing aids, heart monitors, and home security systems also work directly with your phone line.
The best part? You don’t need an internet connection for your landline to work.
Eastlink, VMedia and Primus are popular names when it comes to landline services in Nova Scotia. They charge you based on the number of countries included in the plan and added features.
Here are a few features you should look for in a home phone plan:
- Caller ID with name
- Remote voicemail access
- Call waiting with caller
- Caller ID block
- Voicemail
- Long-distance calling
- Smart Ring
- Call Return
- Call Screen
- Call Trace
- Call Waiting
- Ring Again
- Control
- Select Ring
- Three Way Calling
What Are the Factors Affecting the Cost of Home Phones?
Home phones are still in the game, as they offer perks that a digital phone or VoIP cannot match. The added features decide how much the service provider is going to charge you. Here are some of the factors that affect the cost of home phones:
- Number of countries included in the plan
- Added taxes or fees
- Added features like (Long-distance calling, 3-way calling, caller ID block, online account management, etc.)
- Voicemail
- Call waiting
What Is the Average Cost of Home Phones per Month in Nova Scotia?
Here’s the average cost of home phones in Nova Scotia based on their plan:
| Company Name | Plan and Inclusions | Rates |
| Eastlink | Province Wide Anytime Calling Plan | Starting at $14.00/mo.*
*May add bundle or other features based on the customer’s discretion with additional fees |
| Eastlink | Unlimited Canada Anytime Calling Plan | Starting at $20.00/mo.*
*May add bundle or other features based on the customer’s discretion with additional fees |
| Eastlink | Unlimited Canada & U.S. Anytime Calling Plan
Call Forward Call Return 3-Way Calling |
Starting at $30.00/mo.*
*May add bundle or other features based on the customer’s discretion, with additional fees for other features |
*** Phone activation, connection fees and other one time charges are not included in the rates above.
The Average Utilities Cost in Halifax
Average Monthly Utility Bill Cost in Halifax
| Utility | Average Monthly Cost |
| Electricity
750 kwh @ 17.547¢ per kilowatt hour |
$151 |
| Water
10 m3 |
$108 |
| Gas
7GJ |
$179 |
| Internet
50/10 Mbps service with unlimited monthly data transfer |
$71 |
| Cable | $25 |
| Home Phone | $21 |
| Total average utilities cost Halifax
Gas not included |
$376.00 |
The Average Cost of Utilities Across Canada
| Province | Electricity | Water | Gas | Internet | Cable | Home Phone | Total Monthly Cost |
| Quebec | $199.74 | Included in hydro | $61.66 | $69 | $30.24 | $24.98 | $323.96 (gas not included) |
| Ontario | $102.09 | $90.40 | $328.93 | $64.00 | $49.00 | $34.00 | $339.49 (gas not included) |
| Alberta | $106 | $78 | $39.41 | $74 | $35 | $40 | $266.41 (electricity not included) |
| British Columbia | $187 | $244 | $86.48 | $75 | $23 | $43 | $572 (gas not included) |
| Manitoba | $113.00 | $66.40 | $98.00 | $67.00 | $89 | $47 | $382.40 (gas not included) |
| Saskatchewan | $210.15 | $97.06 | $123.94 | $69.00 | $70.00 | $21.54 | $467.75 (gas not included) |
| PEI | $147 | $105 | $363 | $72 | $35.95 | $23 | $382.95 (gas not included) |
| New Brunswick | $120 | $79 | $130 | $70 | $52 | $23 | $344 (gas not included) |
| Nova Scotia | $195 | $108 | $179 | $71 | $25 | $21 | $420 (gas not included) |
Conclusion
Utilities ensure that your household functions properly and remains comfortable, but the cost is recurring and variable. Knowing average household utility costs can help you reduce your usage and save tons of money at the end of the year.
If you love the ocean lifestyle of Nova Scotia and want to enjoy the excellent recreational and cultural amenities of the province, the cost of living will be the first thing on your mind.
Are you moving to Nova Scotia soon? Check out 7 things to know when moving to Nova Scotia.
