Why Is My Boiler Gas Bill Spiking in Winter?

Published: July 21, 2026 — CANRO Heating & Cooling — Greater Vancouver, BC

Normalizing for Weather

Compare your bill to the previous year same month using heating degree days data. If the bill increased more than 5-10% above what weather normalization predicts, your boiler may need service. FortisBC bills show consumption in GJ — compare GJ used, not dollar amount.

Efficiency Decline Causes

Scale buildup on the heat exchanger reduces heat transfer, forcing the boiler to burn more gas. Sludge in system water reduces heat delivery. Short cycling wastes startup energy. Carbon buildup on burners reduces combustion efficiency. Annual descaling and service restore efficiency.

Carbon Tax Escalation

The BC carbon tax adds $0.80-0.90/GJ annually. For a home using 80 GJ/year for heating, the carbon tax increase alone adds $64-72/year. This is separate from commodity price increases and is a permanent cost increase.

Related Services

Safety Reminder

If you smell gas, suspect carbon monoxide or believe there is an immediate danger, leave the property and contact emergency services or the appropriate gas emergency authority. Do not remain inside — exit the building immediately and call for help from outside.