How Niagara Region is built
- Before 1961 32%
- 1961–1990 35%
- 1991–2000 10%
- 2001 or later 24%
This page covers the Niagara Region municipalities outside St. Catharines, which has its own pages: Niagara Falls, Welland, Fort Erie, Grimsby, Lincoln, Thorold, Port Colborne, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Pelham, West Lincoln and Wainfleet.
Design temperatures across Niagara Region
The National Building Code of Canada 2020 says the 2.5% January design temperature is the value ordinarily used to design heating systems. Its climate table lists these Ontario locations in or next to Niagara Region:
| Location in the code’s table | January 2.5% design temperature | Heating degree-days |
|---|---|---|
| Niagara Falls | −16°C | 3,600 |
| Welland | −15°C | 3,670 |
| Fort Erie | −15°C | 3,650 |
| Grimsby | −16°C | 3,520 |
| Port Colborne | −15°C | 3,600 |
| Pelham (Fonthill) | −15°C | 3,690 |
| Smithville | −16°C | 3,650 |
Environment and Climate Change Canada's 1981–2010 climate normal at Ridgeville (4.0 km from the middle of the area) is 3,656 heating degree-days a year, with a January mean of −4.4°C.
What CSA F280-12 asks for
The code requires the heating capacity for a house to be worked out with CSA F280, using the code's own design temperatures, and its list of referenced documents names the 2012 edition, CSA F280-12. The calculation works out how much heat each room loses on the design day, from the house's actual walls, windows, ceiling insulation and air leakage.
With design days around −15°C, a cold-climate heat pump sized to the calculation can carry most or all of a typical house's heating, which makes right-sizing, rather than oversizing, the main job.
What the calculation needs from your house
Of the 119,050 houses in Niagara Region (single-detached, semi-detached, row houses, duplexes and mobile homes), 32% were built before 1961 and 67% before 1991, according to the 2021 Census. In an older or renovated house, the walls, windows and air leakage rarely match the original plans, so ask the designer to measure rather than assume. Have this ready:
- Room dimensions and ceiling heights, or a floor plan.
- Window and door sizes and types, room by room.
- Insulation levels in the attic, walls, basement and any floor over an unheated space.
- A blower door result from an EnerGuide evaluation, if you've had one.
- Where the ducts, radiators or baseboards run, so the heat can be delivered room by room.
What it costs
There's no standard published price for a standalone F280 calculation, so ask two or three providers for a written quote that names the deliverable: the room-by-room F280 report, not just an equipment size. Many energy advisors bundle it with an EnerGuide evaluation, which also gives the calculation measured air-leakage data instead of an assumption. Ask whether a rural travel fee applies. The CSA F280 heat-loss calculation explains the method and typical cost bands.
Communities we cover in Niagara Region
Every town, village and hamlet below is part of this page, grouped by municipality (2021 Census population).
- City of Niagara Falls 94,415Chippawa
- City of Welland 55,750
- Town of Fort Erie 32,901Ridgeway, Stevensville
- Town of Grimsby 28,883
- Town of Lincoln 25,719Beamsville, Campden, Jordan Station, Vineland
- City of Thorold 23,816Allanburg
- City of Port Colborne 20,033Sherkston
- Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake 19,088Mississauga Beach, Queenston, Virgil
- Town of Pelham 18,192Fenwick
- Township of West Lincoln 15,454Caistor Centre, Smithville
- Township of Wainfleet 6,887
Covered on city pages: St. Catharines.
NRCan-registered service organizations serving Niagara Region
NRCan's list of service organizations (checked October 8, 2026) shows 25 organizations registered for postal codes in Niagara Falls, Welland, Fort Erie, Grimsby and Port Colborne (L2E, L2G, L2H, L2J, L3B, L3C, L2A, L3M, L3K). Registration means an organization lists those postal areas, not that it has an advisor in town: confirm they travel to your community, and ask about wait times and travel fees.
Only assessments from the seven HRSP-approved organizations qualify for the $600 Home Renovation Savings rebate and its assessment-path upgrade rebates; each listing below says whether it's one of them.
- Acacia Engineering HRSP-approved: No
- Air Barrier Canada HRSP-approved: No
- All Season Inspection HRSP-approved: No Profile
- AmeriSpec HRSP-approved: Yes Profile
- Clean Energy Solutions HRSP-approved: No
- Ecostep Energy Services HRSP-approved: No
- Energy Werx HRSP-approved: Yes Profile
- EnerQuality HRSP-approved: No
- EnerSolution HRSP-approved: No Profile
- Engreen Home HRSP-approved: No
- ER Energy Solutions HRSP-approved: No
- Green Canada Home Advisors HRSP-approved: No Profile
- Green Think HRSP-approved: No
- Greenbrain HRSP-approved: Yes Profile
- Sensible Home Inspections HRSP-approved: No
- The Energuy HRSP-approved: Yes Profile
- Verdatech Energy Management and Consulting HRSP-approved: No
- ecoGEO Energy HRSP-approved: No
- Enerhold Engineering Solutions HRSP-approved: No
- BEST Energy and Sustainability HRSP-approved: No
- CoEfficient Building Science HRSP-approved: No
- F2 Energy HRSP-approved: No
Heat pump programs in Niagara Region
Heat loss calculations in Niagara Region: common questions
What design temperature is used for heat pump sizing in Niagara Falls?
The National Building Code 2020's climate table gives −16°C for Niagara Falls, −15°C for Welland, −15°C for Fort Erie, −16°C for Grimsby, −15°C for Port Colborne, −15°C for Pelham (Fonthill) and −16°C for Smithville. Provincial codes can use their own climate tables, so ask which value the calculation uses.
What is CSA F280-12?
The 2012 edition of CSA F280, Determining the required capacity of residential space heating and cooling appliances. The National Building Code 2020 requires heating capacity for a house to be determined with it.
How much does a heat loss calculation cost?
There is no standard published price. Ask two or three providers for a written quote for the F280 report, and ask whether it costs less bundled with an EnerGuide evaluation and whether a travel fee applies.
Who does F280 calculations in Niagara Region?
Many of the 25 NRCan-registered organizations that list Niagara Falls, Welland and Fort Erie postal codes offer them, as do HVAC designers. Ask for the F280 report itself, not just an equipment size.