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Utilities in Kelowna
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In most of Kelowna, FortisBC supplies electricity and natural gas, the City of Kelowna supplies water, and Telus or Rogers provides internet. Setup is simple once you know who to call, though the providers and timing may differ from other provinces. Below are electricity, gas, water, internet, mobile and waste, and when to set each one up.
Electricity: FortisBC or BC Hydro
Electricity comes from FortisBC in most of the city or BC Hydro in some outlying areas. It averages $80–$120 a month for an apartment and $120–$200 for a house. British Columbia has some of Canada's lowest electricity rates thanks to plenty of hydro power, but summer air conditioning and winter heating both push bills up.
That makes FortisBC's equal payment plan, which spreads costs evenly across the year, worth signing up for. Set up your account online at fortisbc.com at least one week before move-in.
Natural Gas: FortisBC
FortisBC is the only natural gas provider in Kelowna, and many local homes use gas for heating, hot water and cooking. The average bill is $40–$80/month, rising to $80–$120 in winter when the heat is on. The equal payment plan takes your estimated yearly use and splits it into 12 equal monthly payments, so there are no surprise winter bills. You can open a new account online, and if the home is already hooked up, service usually starts the same day.
Water & Sewer: City of Kelowna
For most addresses, water and sewer come from the City of Kelowna. Some areas (such as Rutland and Black Mountain) are served by separate water districts, so check which one covers yours. Many apartments and condos include water in strata fees.
The city draws its water from Okanagan Lake and has invested in modern treatment plants. Summer brings water conservation rules: lawn watering limits usually apply from May through September, with set watering days based on your address.
Who are the internet providers in Kelowna?
The main internet options are Telus PureFibre, Shaw/Rogers cable and, in rural areas where fibre and cable don't reach, Starlink.
Telus PureFibre
Fibre to the home covering most of the city, with plans up to 3 Gbps and upload speeds that match download. Plans range from $75–$105/month, and installation is usually free for new customers on a two-year term. It's the usual choice for remote workers and households streaming on several devices.
Shaw/Rogers
Cable internet from $60–$95/month, available across the city. Download speeds go up to 1 Gbps, though uploads are slower than fibre. Rogers bought Shaw in 2023 and has been moving Shaw customers to Rogers.
Starlink
The option for rural areas outside the city where fibre and cable don't reach; check starlink.com for current monthly and equipment pricing. Lag is higher than on a wired connection, but speeds of 50–200 Mbps are fine for most uses.
Remote Worker Tip: If your work depends on reliable high-speed internet, choose a home or apartment where Telus PureFibre is available. Check coverage at telus.com/fibre before you sign a lease or make an offer, because fast upload speeds make a big difference on video calls.
Mobile Phone Service
The local mobile carriers are Telus, Rogers (Shaw Mobile) and Bell, plus budget brands. Telus has the best coverage in the Okanagan, including rural areas and mountain roads, with data plans at $55–$90/month. Rogers (Shaw Mobile) has good coverage in town, and Shaw Mobile plans are good value if you bundle them with home internet ($25–$45/month for data plans).
Bell is also good in town but doesn't reach as far into the rural Okanagan as Telus. On a budget, Freedom Mobile, Koodo, Public Mobile and Lucky Mobile have plans from $25–$50/month, with coverage that varies. Koodo and Public Mobile run on the Telus network, which makes them the best mix of price and coverage in Kelowna.
Waste & Recycling
Curbside garbage, yard waste and recycling pickup runs through the Regional District of Central Okanagan. Garbage goes out weekly and yard waste every other week from March to December. Recycling follows the Recycle BC schedule.
For larger items, the City of Kelowna runs the Glenmore Landfill, and recycling depots around the city take electronics, paint and other special items. Take drink containers to a Return-It bottle depot to get your 10-cent deposits back.
Setup Checklist Before You Move
Setting up utilities in Kelowna starts two weeks before you move. Book FortisBC and internet first, then handle confirmations, move-in checks and first-week tasks.
2 Weeks Before
Open your FortisBC electricity and gas accounts online and book internet installation with Telus or Rogers, since install times fill up fast in the summer moving season.
1 Week Before
Confirm start dates with FortisBC and set up Canada Post mail forwarding. If you own the home, contact the City of Kelowna about a water/sewer account.
Move-In Day
Check that electricity and gas are on (test the lights, furnace and stove) and meet the internet installer. Renting? Ask your landlord which utilities are included. Many rentals include water, sewer and sometimes even electricity in the rent.
First Week
Set up your mobile phone plan if you're switching carriers, sign up for FortisBC's equal payment plan, and download the City of Kelowna waste collection schedule for your address.