Six in ten Canadians are more worried about money than ever, as young adults forced to borrow to heat homes

Press release from HomeStars, published as received.

PRESS RELEASE

Six in ten Canadians are more worried about money than ever, as young adults forced to borrow to heat homes

A new report from Homestars.com shows the shocking impact of energy bills on Canadians, and the strategies they are using to cope with spiralling costs.

According to a new report, six in ten Canadians (62%) say they are more worried about money than ever before, with 61% specifically concerned about the running cost of their homes. The strain is falling hardest on younger households: one in five adults aged 18 to 34 has already borrowed money or used credit to pay an energy bill, and 42% worry about how they will afford to heat their home this winter, more than double the figure among over-55s.

The Energy Squeeze report from HomeStars.com, the reliable way to hire a pro, looks in detail at how Canadian households are feeling about running their homes this winter, the behavioural changes rising costs are causing, and the solutions that are being blocked due to lack of knowledge, and funds. The report offers a startling glimpse into the impact of increased energy prices and the pressure of staying warm this winter.

The impact has become so severe that 37% of Canadians are dreading opening their energy bills, and 32% are worried about how they will afford to heat their homes this winter.

It also reveals that 14% of respondents have turned to credit or borrowed from family or friends to pay an energy bill. This concerning figure rises to 20% among the 18-34 age category. Equally, 20% of parents also reported using a loan or credit card to pay for their energy bills.

The research also reveals that nearly three quarters of Canadians (73%) admit to watching how much electricity they are using, and nearly two-thirds (59%) are monitoring their gas usage for heating and cooking.

Over a fifth (21%) stated that they are taking shorter showers, while a third (34%) admit that they plan to only heat the room they are in over winter, as opposed to their whole homes.

15% of respondents say that energy costs are causing arguments in their households; this rises to 24% among parents.

24% have cut back on essential home maintenance and 9% have delayed a furnace service.

Natalie O’Kelly, a spokesperson for HomeStars.com, said:

“Canadian winters are hard on a household budget, and this year people are feeling it before the cold has even arrived. Six in ten told us they’re more worried about money than ever, and more than a third are already dreading their energy bills.

“What stands out is who’s carrying the most. Young adults are twice as likely as over-55s to worry about affording to heat their home this winter, and one in five has already borrowed money or used credit to pay an energy bill.

“People are doing what they can to cope, heating one room, cutting showers short, putting off repairs. One in ten has delayed a furnace service to save money. That’s understandable, but some of those savings catch up with you. A furnace that hasn’t been looked at is most likely to fail in the coldest week of the year. That’s when a small saving becomes a big bill, and there’s a safety side to it too.

“The good news is that some of the simplest fixes can make a big difference: sealing drafts around doors and windows, topping up attic insulation, getting the furnace checked before the deep cold sets in.

“However, the report shows a bigger problem. There’s a real appetite to make homes more energy efficient, yet people don’t know what help they’re entitled to and don’t feel the government is doing enough to support them.”

To access the full Energy Squeeze Report 2026 for detailed data, charts, and insights into the trends shaping the future of Canadian homes, visit https://www.homestars.com/blog/energy-squeeze.

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HomeStars Data
Research conducted by Opinium for HomeStars via survey of 2,000 people in September 2026. Data used for Opinium is an award-winning strategic insight agency and has one of the biggest and most reputable survey panels in Canada

Natalie O’Kelly – HomeStars
Natalie O’Kelly is spokesperson for HomeStars.com. She works across Angi international home services brands and joined the company in 2022. Leading Angi media content output, including being the presenter on the Own It podcast with Angie Hicks. Based in Toronto, her interest in home services is both professional and personal; she is currently renovating her family’s mid-century cottage on Lake Erie.

About HomeStars
HomeStars is the reliable way for homeowners to hire the pros they need and for pros to get the work they want.

The online platform matches homeowners with verified local pros for home repairs and improvements across Canada. Homeowners can post their jobs for free and get responses from available pros; they can view their profiles and read genuine reviews from previous customers before deciding who to connect with.

HomeStars is part of The Instapro Group and Angi Family, the leading group of building and home trades marketplaces in the United States, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Austria, Italy and the Netherlands.

For more information or images, please contact the PR team at [email protected]

Related: our guide to energy bill grants in Canada 2026, by province.