Short answer: Most Durham and York Region homeowners heating with bulk propane should expect an all-in delivered cost somewhere between roughly 70 and 90 cents per litre in 2026, before HST. Anything under 70 cents is a strong rate. Anything over a dollar is worth a phone call to a competitor. But the per-litre number alone will not tell you what you are actually paying — the fees underneath it will.
Propane pricing in Ontario is frustratingly opaque. Unlike gasoline, there is no posted price at the roadside and no regulated rate. Two neighbours on the same road can pay different amounts for the same delivery on the same day. Here is how the pricing actually works, and how to tell whether you are getting a fair deal in Durham Region, York Region and Kawartha Lakes.
Why there is no single “propane price” in Ontario
Your rate is built from several moving parts:
- Wholesale cost — what the supplier pays at the terminal, which moves with North American energy markets and can shift week to week.
- Delivery distance and density — a rural property twenty minutes off the highway near Little Britain costs more to service than a subdivision in Whitby.
- Your annual volume — a home burning 3,500 litres a year gets a better rate than a cottage burning 400.
- Delivery size — larger single fills cost less per litre than small top-ups.
- Plan type — automatic delivery customers typically get better pricing than will-call, because the supplier can route efficiently.
- Tank ownership — whether you rent or own affects both your rate and your leverage.
This is why any supplier who quotes you a rate without asking about your usage, location and tank is guessing.
What a fair 2026 rate looks like in Durham and York Region
Based on current Ontario market conditions, here is a practical benchmark for all-in delivered residential bulk propane — meaning the number on your invoice divided by the litres delivered, before HST:
| All-in delivered rate | How to read it |
|---|---|
| Under $0.70/L | Excellent — usually high-volume or a promotional first-year rate |
| $0.70 – $0.80/L | Very competitive for a typical heating customer |
| $0.80 – $0.90/L | Reasonable, especially for lower volume or remote delivery |
| $0.90 – $1.00/L | Getting expensive — worth a second quote |
| Over $1.00/L | Shop around |
Treat this as a sanity check, not a quote. Rates move with the market, and a legitimate quote depends on your specific address and usage. What the table is good for is answering the question “am I being taken advantage of?” — and most of the time, the answer is no, people are simply comparing a headline rate to an all-in rate.
The fees that hide underneath the per-litre rate
This is the part that catches people out. A low advertised rate can carry more cost than a higher one once you add:
Tank rental
An annual or monthly charge for the supplier-owned tank on your property. Some suppliers waive it entirely if you buy a minimum volume. Some charge it regardless. On a 2,000-litre-per-year household, a $180 annual rental adds about 9 cents per litre to your real cost.
Delivery, transportation or fuel surcharges
A per-delivery or per-litre add-on that may or may not be quoted upfront. Ask specifically whether it applies to your address.
Minimum delivery volumes
Many Ontario suppliers set a minimum delivery — commonly around 600 litres. If you order less, you may pay a small-delivery fee or a higher per-litre rate. For a small cottage tank, this matters a lot.
Off-schedule and emergency delivery fees
If you run dry and need a truck today, expect a premium. This is the strongest financial argument for automatic delivery over will-call — you are effectively paying a small ongoing premium to never pay a large emergency one.
Out-of-gas restart and leak test
Running a tank completely empty is not just inconvenient. It requires a technician to pressure-test the system and relight appliances before service resumes, and that visit is billable.
HST
Thirteen percent applies to residential propane in Ontario. Quotes are usually given pre-tax, so remember to add it when you budget.
What changed with propane taxes
The federal consumer carbon charge was removed effective April 1, 2025, which took a per-litre cost directly off delivered propane across Canada. Ontario has also moved to eliminate its provincial tax on auto propane. HST at 13% still applies to residential deliveries.
If you are comparing your current bill to a quote from a few years ago, or to an online article written before 2025, the tax lines will not match. Make sure any comparison you run uses current, post-2025 numbers.
Should you lock in a fixed price?
Fixed-price contracts trade flexibility for predictability. They can be a good fit if you have high, steady annual usage and you value knowing your winter heating budget in September. The trade-offs are real, though:
- You are locked in if market prices fall.
- Early termination usually carries a settlement charge.
- Some contracts require a minimum annual purchase.
For most Durham and York Region households burning 2,000 to 4,000 litres a year, a straightforward variable rate with a supplier who prices fairly is simpler and works out about the same over a few seasons. If you want the certainty, get the contract terms in writing before you sign — particularly the exit terms.
Five questions that get you a real answer
When you call for a quote, ask these and write down the answers. Ask every supplier the same five.
- What is my all-in delivered price per litre today, including all fees and before HST, for a 600 to 1,000 litre delivery to my address?
- Is there a tank rental charge, and under what conditions is it waived?
- What is your minimum delivery volume, and what happens if I order less?
- Are there delivery, transportation or fuel surcharges for my location?
- How and when does my rate change, and will you notify me before it does?
Any supplier who will not answer question one directly is telling you something. If you are considering a move, our guide on how to switch propane suppliers in Ontario covers the tank and fee rules in detail.
Frequently asked questions about propane prices in Ontario
What is a good price per litre for propane in Ontario right now?
For residential bulk delivery in 2026, an all-in delivered rate of roughly $0.70 to $0.80 per litre before HST is very competitive for a typical heating customer. Under $0.70 is excellent. Over $1.00 is worth getting a competing quote. Rates vary by volume, location and delivery size.
Why is my propane price different from my neighbour’s?
Usually annual volume and plan type. A neighbour burning 4,000 litres a year on automatic delivery will get a better per-litre rate than a household burning 1,200 on will-call, even on the same road with the same supplier. Contract timing and tank ownership also play a part.
Is there a minimum propane delivery amount in Ontario?
Most suppliers set one, commonly around 600 litres, because sending a truck has a fixed cost regardless of how much comes off it. Below the minimum you may face a small-delivery fee or a higher rate. Ask before you order a partial fill.
Do I have to pay tank rental?
Only if your supplier charges it. Many waive tank rental for customers who buy above a minimum annual volume. It is one of the most commonly overlooked line items when comparing quotes — always ask.
Does the carbon tax still apply to propane in Canada?
The federal consumer carbon charge was removed effective April 1, 2025, so it no longer appears on residential propane deliveries. HST at 13% still applies in Ontario.
Why does propane cost more in winter?
Wholesale demand peaks in the heating season, and delivery logistics get harder — more stops, worse roads, tighter scheduling. Some customers pre-buy or top up in late summer for this reason. If your tank is low in August, filling it before October is usually the cheaper move.
How do I lower my propane bill without switching suppliers?
Move to automatic delivery, take larger single fills rather than frequent small ones, ask whether your volume qualifies for a better tier, and confirm whether tank rental can be waived. Those four changes often save more than switching companies does.
Get a straight quote for your address
Discount Propane serves homes, farms and businesses across Durham Region — Oshawa, Whitby, Pickering, Clarington, Uxbridge and Port Perry — plus York Region, Lindsay, Little Britain and the surrounding rural townships.
Tell us your address and roughly how much propane you use in a year, and we will give you a real all-in number — not a teaser rate. Call 905-448-5955 or request a quote online. Already out of propane? Our 24-hour emergency line is 416-271-9807.
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