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Couple in an apartment vs Couple in a house: Electricity Use Compared in Canada (2026)
The same two people use noticeably more electricity in a house than in a flat. Not because of the people, but because of what a house comes with: a tumble dryer, a chest freezer, more rooms to light, a garage door, garden tools, and often a home office. Regulators in Germany and Canada publish flat and house figures separately for exactly this reason.
In Canada, couple in an apartment uses about 7,417 kWh a year (C$86.53 a month) and couple in a house about 10,750 kWh (C$125.42 a month). That is 1.4× as much, or C$38.89 more per month. Per person: 3,708 kWh vs 5,375 kWh a year.
Sources: Natural Resources Canada, Survey of Household Energy Use 2019, Table 3.5a electricity intensity per household (GJ converted at 277.78 kWh/GJ): Low-rise apartment. Natural Resources Canada, Survey of Household Energy Use 2019, Table 3.5a electricity intensity per household (GJ converted at 277.78 kWh/GJ): Row, duplex or semi-detached. Priced at C$0.14 per kWh (Canada Energy Regulator 2026 market snapshot, 2026-06).
Where the difference comes from
| Category | Couple in an apartment | Couple in a house | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heating & cooling | 2,596 kWh | 3,762 kWh | +1,166 |
| Water heating | 1,113 kWh | 1,612 kWh | +499 |
| Refrigeration & freezing | 742 kWh | 1,075 kWh | +333 |
| Cooking | 223 kWh | 322 kWh | +99 |
| Washing, drying & dishwashing | 445 kWh | 645 kWh | +200 |
| TV, computing & network | 445 kWh | 645 kWh | +200 |
| Lighting | 445 kWh | 645 kWh | +200 |
| Other appliances | 1,409 kWh | 2,042 kWh | +633 |
- The dryer alone can add a tenth to the total.
- A garage freezer is often an old appliance and uses more than the kitchen fridge.
- Outdoor and security lighting runs all night in a house and not at all in a flat.
Only in the couple in a house
- Chest Freezer 430 kWh/yr
- Clothes Dryer 328 kWh/yr
- Desktop Computer 294 kWh/yr
- Outdoor Security Floodlight 208 kWh/yr
- Electric Lawn Mower (Corded or Battery) 44 kWh/yr
- Printer (Inkjet or Laser) 4 kWh/yr
- Garage Door Opener 4 kWh/yr
Only in the couple in an apartment
- Smart Speaker 17 kWh/yr
The same comparison in other countries
| Country | Couple in an apartment | Couple in a house | Ratio | Extra per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States (average) | 10,648 | 10,648 | 1.0× | $0.000 |
| United Kingdom | 2,500 | 2,500 | 1.0× | £0.000 |
| Germany | 1,900 | 2,700 | 1.4× | €24.67 |
| France | 3,017 | 4,287 | 1.4× | €21.17 |
| Australia | 5,237 | 5,237 | 1.0× | A$0.000 |
| Canada (average) | 7,417 | 10,750 | 1.4× | C$38.89 |