Newcomers edition - Sustainable living at home
Welcome to Calgary!
As a newcomer, you’re learning how to get around, meet new people and make Calgary feel like home. You’re getting to know our weather and how we're seeing more extreme heat, cold, hail, high winds, flooding and drought. You're discovering that how we use water and energy matters, and being ready for climate hazards is necessary. That’s why we’ve created this guide. Here you’ll find simple ways to save money and protect your home.
- Simple ways to save water, save energy and protect your home.
- Dollar signs ($-$$$) that show which steps are low-cost or free.
- Common questions from other newcomers.
You can bookmark this page and come back to it whenever you need it. This page is meant to be read at your own pace.
Choose a topic below to get started.
As a newcomer, I want to take action, but sometimes I don’t know where to begin. Learning the rules for permits or accessing support programs can feel overwhelming. There is always a fear of making a mistake. I overcome this by asking questions, doing research, and talking with others in my community, so we can learn together. Every small success gives us more confidence.
Mary
Vietnamese-Canadian
Save water at home
Calgary is a growing city on two small rivers – the Bow and the Elbow. By using water only when needed, we help our city maintain a safe, reliable water supply for future generations. We call this being water wise. When we make water wise choices like fixing small leaks, we save water and we save money on our water bills. By fixing leaks, we also help prevent mould, water damage and costly repairs.
Good habits that help
Learn where your water meter is and how to check it.
Stay updated on outdoor water rules and restrictions.
Protect your sewer pipes by using drains and toilets properly.
Avoid common problems
Ignoring water leaks, even small ones.
Flushing anything other than toilet paper down the toilet.
Pouring oil, paint, chemicals, wipes or waste into storm drains.
How to save water around your home
Everyday activities like showering, cleaning, cooking and watering the yard all use water. In this section, you’ll learn how you can save water throughout the day.
Water: common questions
What does my water bill pay for?
Your water bill supports clean drinking water, wastewater treatment, flood protection, and the operation and maintenance of Calgary’s water systems. Reviewing your bill can help you understand how your water use affects costs.
Are there times I’m not allowed to water my lawn, garden, or trees?
Yes, Calgary has a year-round watering schedule that sets regular days and times for outdoor watering across Calgary. This helps:
- spread water use evenly across the week to manage peak day demand for water,
- reduce pressure on our water system during hot weather,
- encourage watering when less water is lost to evaporation,
- protect our water infrastructure capacity to help keep costs down,
- support a reliable water supply for our growing city, and
- reduce the likelihood of water restrictions to manage peak demand in the future.
To find your home’s watering times, visit https://www.calgary.ca/water/drought/lawn-watering-schedule.html
There are also times when Calgarians may need to temporarily reduce non‑essential outdoor water use. This can happen when:
- less water is available in rivers during dry periods,
- water treatment plants are being repaired or upgraded,
- water demand is very high during hot weather and strains system capacity, or
- river water quality is poor and takes longer to treat.
When they are in place, following restrictions helps reduce strain on rivers and water treatment plants so essential services can continue.
Learn more: Water restrictions
Are there gardening workshops in Calgary?
Yes. The Calgary Horticultural Society offers Design Your Yard workshops online and in person to help you plan a water wise yard that thrives in Calgary.
Unable to attend a workshop? The City’s YardSmart program offers a series of free ‘How to’ videos and yard planning resources to help you get started. Learn more at calgary.ca/yardsmart.
I’ve never experienced freezing weather. How do I prepare my home?
Cold temperatures can damage pipes and outdoor water systems if they aren’t prepared. A seasonal checklist can help you winterize your home and avoid costly repairs (available in multiple languages).
What is stormwater, and why does it matter?
When it rains or snow melts, water runs off streets, driveways, sidewalks and yards and flows into rivers and creeks. This runoff is called stormwater.
As stormwater flows, it can carry garbage, chemicals, fertilizers, pet waste, road salt, dirt and other debris into local waterways. Stormwater isn’t treated before it enters rivers and creeks, so pollution can go directly into the water.
Keeping stormwater clean helps Calgary’s rivers and creeks stay healthy.
Learn how you can help: Stormwater management
How do I protect the sewer pipes in my home?
Keep your sewer pipes in good working order by not putting the wrong things down your sink, drains and toilets — and by following these tips.
Ways to prepare your home
Calgary’s summers are getting hotter, drier and longer. Hazards like wildfire smoke, extreme heat, hail and flooding are becoming more common. Planning ahead can help you feel more confident and prepared to protect your home, reduce financial stress and keep your household safe.
Ways to prepare ahead of time
Use trusted, official sources for weather updates and safety information.
Plan ahead for seasonal weather such as summer storms or winter cold.
Stay connected with neighbours, friends and community supports.
Things to avoid
Assuming insurance will cover all types of damage.
Throwing out receipts too soon after repairs.
Rushing into repairs or hiring contractors without doing your research.
How to prepare your home and household
Planning ahead helps everyone in your household know what to do in an emergency. They'll know who to contact, where to find documents and how to stay safe if services are disrupted.
Weather and safety: common questions
How do I choose a contractor?
After severe weather, your home may need repairs. Taking time to choose a contractor carefully can help protect you from unexpected costs or poor-quality work.
Here are five things that can help:
- Check their licence
- Get it in writing
- Ask for references
- Verify their insurance
- After the work is completed, check your title
Learn more at Hiring a contractor (a video with subtitles is available in multiple languages).
Will my insurance cover severe weather damage?
Insurance coverage depends on your policy. Not all policies cover the same types of damage.
When you’re reviewing or signing up for insurance, it’s important to ask clear questions about coverage for common severe weather risks in Calgary, such as hail, flooding, wildfire and smoke.
The Insurance Bureau of Canada has resources to help you understand insurance and severe weather claims. They also offer a video series that explains what to do after a loss and how to navigate insurance claims.
- Learn more about insurance and severe weather.
- Watch the “What to do after a loss” video series.
If you need help and don’t speak English fluently, call 211. They can connect you with government, legal, insurance and community services in over 170 languages.
Where can I cool down if I don’t have air conditioning?
You can visit public buildings across the city, as they offer safe places to cool down and give you access to free drinking water.
I live in a basement unit. Do I need to worry about radon gas?
Radon is a naturally occurring gas that can build up indoors, especially in basement units. High levels can affect health.
Ways to save energy
Saving energy is good for the environment and your wallet. It keeps your home comfortable for everyone living in it, from children to elders. Understanding how energy is used in your home – and knowing what support is available – can also help lower your energy bills, saving you money.
Good energy habits
Start with low-cost basics.
Check energy bills regularly to understand your use.
Share tips with your household so everyone can help.
Avoid common mistakes
Ignoring repairs, which can increase costs over time.
Assuming all improvements are expensive.
Making large purchases without checking for rebates or incentives.
How to save energy in your home
Explore a variety of programs and resources to help you save energy, lower energy bills and improve home comfort and safety.
Energy: common questions
How do I read my energy and water bills?
Reviewing your bills, even if you use automatic payments, can help you understand your energy and water use. It is always a good idea to check your bills on a regular basis.
Learn how to read and understand your energy and water bills by signing up for a Home Upgrades Program Multilingual workshop.
What if I don’t have tools to measure energy use?
Green Calgary offers free energy self-audit kits that you can borrow to help identify ways to save energy at home.
Are there different energy providers in Calgary?
Yes. You can compare rates and retailer products to find an option that works for your household.
Does my energy bill include other City services?
Yes. If you’ve chosen ENMAX as your energy provider, you’ll also see additional charges for City services. The City of Calgary contracts ENMAX to provide billing and customer service for several municipal services. This includes water utility service, Black Cart garbage, Blue Cart recycling, and Green Cart food and yard waste. You can still choose the energy provider that best meets your household’s needs. If you choose a different energy provider, you will receive your energy bill from them and an ENMAX bill for the other municipal services.
Our community is full of ideas and enthusiasm. We just need the right tools.
Sonia
Indian-Canadian
Moving to a new city comes with many questions. The City of Calgary works with community organizations to help you settle in, find everyday answers and get support during difficult times.
Share your feedback
We want this toolkit to be a support to all newcomers across Calgary. If you have a suggestion (e.g. a resource we can add or a question we can answer), email us at climateprogram@calgary.ca. Your feedback helps us improve this toolkit for all newcomers.
This page contains links to other websites and content belonging to third parties. These links are provided for informational purposes only. The City of Calgary makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of third-party content or for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display of, or your use of, this content.
