Quebec City Home Exchange Essentials: Your Complete Guide to Utilities, WiFi, and Daily Life

That first morning I woke up in my Quebec City home exchange, I couldn't figure out how to turn on the heat.

It was late October. Frost was creeping up the windows of my borrowed Saint-Jean-Baptiste apartment, and there I was—standing in my pajamas, staring at a thermostat that looked like it belonged in a spaceship. My host's instructions mentioned something about "baseboard heaters" and "zone control," but my jet-lagged brain couldn't process any of it. I ended up wrapped in every blanket I could find, drinking instant coffee because I also couldn't figure out the espresso machine.

That experience taught me something crucial: Quebec City home exchange essentials go way beyond knowing where the spare key is hidden. This city operates differently than anywhere else I've stayed in North America—the electrical system, the internet setup, even the way garbage collection works has its own rhythm. And honestly? Once you understand these Quebec City utilities and practical details, your stay transforms from "surviving" to genuinely living like a local.

I've done three home exchanges in Quebec City over the past four years—twice in the Old Town, once in the Montcalm district. Everything I wish someone had told me before that first freezing morning? It's all here.

Understanding Quebec City Utilities: The Hydro-Québec Reality

Here's something that catches almost every American visitor off guard: in Quebec, "Hydro" means electricity.

Hydro-Québec is the provincial power company, so when your host mentions "the hydro bill" or "hydro costs," they're talking about electric power, not water. This confused me for an embarrassingly long time.

Quebec City runs almost entirely on hydroelectric power, which means two things for your home exchange. First, electricity is relatively cheap—about $0.06-0.09 CAD per kWh ($0.04-0.07 USD), significantly lower than most American cities. Second—and this is the big one—almost every home uses electric heating.

Electric Heating: What You Need to Know

Forget about furnaces and central air. Most Quebec City apartments and many houses use electric baseboard heaters, and each room typically has its own thermostat. This zone-based system is actually brilliant once you understand it—you can keep the bedroom cool for sleeping while the living room stays toasty—but it requires a different mindset than central heating.

The thermostats often look different from what you're used to. Many are simple dial types with numbers from 1-10 (not actual temperatures), while newer ones might be digital. Here's my hard-won advice: ask your host to walk you through the heating system before they leave, or request a video call if you're arriving after they've departed. The difference between setting 4 and setting 7 can mean the difference between comfortable and sauna-like.

During winter months (November through March), expect the home to use significantly more electricity. Most hosts factor this into their exchange expectations, but it's worth discussing upfront. Some ask guests to keep thermostats at reasonable levels—usually around 20°C (68°F)—to avoid shocking utility bills.

Water and Sewage: The Easy Part

Water in Quebec City is municipally supplied and genuinely excellent. You can drink straight from the tap without worry—I actually prefer it to most bottled water. The city's water comes from the St. Lawrence River and surrounding watersheds, treated to high standards.

Unlike electricity, water costs are typically included in property taxes for homeowners, so your host probably won't mention water usage at all. That said, Quebec has been pushing water conservation, so don't leave taps running unnecessarily.

WiFi and Internet Setup in Quebec City Homes

Let me be direct: Quebec City WiFi for home exchange guests can range from blazing fast to frustratingly slow, and it largely depends on the neighborhood and building age. The Old Town, with its 300-year-old stone buildings, can be particularly challenging for signal penetration.

The major internet providers are Vidéotron, Bell, and Telus. Most residential connections offer speeds between 50-400 Mbps download, which is plenty for streaming, video calls, and remote work. But—and this is important—many heritage buildings in Vieux-Québec and Saint-Jean-Baptiste have older wiring that limits actual speeds.

Questions to Ask Your Host About Internet

Before your exchange, get specific answers. What's the WiFi network name and password? (Sounds obvious, but I've arrived to find hosts forgot to leave this information.) What's the typical download speed? Is there a data cap? Some Canadian internet plans have monthly data limits, and if you're planning to stream a lot of content or work remotely with large file transfers, you could hit that ceiling.

Also ask about the router location. In older Quebec City buildings, the router might be tucked away in an awkward spot—a back closet, the basement—that affects signal strength in the main living areas. Knowing this in advance lets you plan where to set up your workspace.

Backup Options for Connectivity

Quebec City has solid cellular coverage from Rogers, Bell, and Telus. If you're coming from the US, check whether your plan includes Canadian roaming—many do now, but the speeds might be throttled. For remote workers who absolutely cannot risk connectivity issues, I'd recommend having a backup plan: either a local SIM card (around $40-60 CAD for a month of data) or knowing the nearest café with reliable WiFi.

Speaking of cafés—Café Krieghoff on Avenue Cartier has never let me down for work sessions. Strong WiFi, excellent coffee, and they don't rush you out. Paillard on Rue Saint-Jean is another solid option, though it gets crowded at lunch.

Kitchen Essentials and Grocery Shopping Logistics

One of the best parts of a home exchange is having a real kitchen. But Quebec City kitchens come with their own learning curve.

Appliances and Measurements

Canada uses the metric system, so your host's oven will display temperatures in Celsius. Quick conversion: 180°C is about 350°F, 200°C is about 400°F. I keep a conversion chart on my phone because my brain simply refuses to do this math while cooking.

Most Quebec kitchens have standard North American appliances—same plugs, same voltage as the US—so your phone chargers and laptops will work fine. If you're bringing anything from Europe or elsewhere, you'll need an adapter.

One thing I've noticed in Quebec City homes: many have smaller refrigerators than typical American houses. This isn't a problem, just a different shopping rhythm. You'll buy fresh food more frequently, in smaller quantities. Honestly leads to better eating anyway.

Where to Shop for Groceries

IGA and Metro are the mid-range options, comparable to Kroger or Safeway. You'll find them throughout the city, with decent selection and reasonable prices. The IGA on Rue Saint-Jean in the Saint-Jean-Baptiste neighborhood is particularly convenient if you're staying in the Old Town area.

Maxi and Super C are the budget options—think Aldi or Lidl. Less ambiance, lower prices. The Maxi in Sainte-Foy is worth the trip if you're stocking up for a longer stay. Provigo tends to be slightly more upscale, with better produce and more organic options.

For specialty items, the Marché du Vieux-Port is a year-round public market with local cheeses, meats, and produce. Not the cheapest option, but the quality is exceptional—the cheese selection alone is worth a visit. On Saturdays during summer and fall, the farmers' market at the ExpoCité grounds offers farm-fresh everything.

The Depanneur Culture

You'll see small corner stores called "dépanneurs" (or "deps") everywhere. These are Quebec's version of bodegas—perfect for grabbing milk, bread, beer, or snacks at odd hours. Prices are higher than grocery stores, but the convenience factor is real. Many deps also sell lottery tickets, cigarettes, and have a surprisingly good selection of local craft beers.

Waste Management and Recycling in Quebec City

This is the stuff nobody thinks about until they're standing in the kitchen with a yogurt container, wondering which bin it goes in.

Quebec City has a three-stream waste system. Blue bin (recyclage) is for paper, cardboard, plastic containers (#1-7), glass, and metal cans—rinse containers but don't stress about getting them spotless. Brown bin (compost/organic) takes food scraps, coffee grounds, tea bags, paper towels, and yard waste. This is mandatory in Quebec City, and honestly, once you get used to it, you'll wonder why every city doesn't do this. The bins have a charcoal filter that minimizes odors. Black bin (garbage) is for everything else—non-recyclable plastics, styrofoam, broken items.

Collection Schedule

Collection days vary by neighborhood, and this is crucial information to get from your host. In most residential areas, recycling and garbage are collected weekly, while organic waste is collected weekly in summer and every two weeks in winter. Missing collection day means living with full bins for another week. Not ideal.

Pro tip: Quebec City uses an app called "Info-collectes" that tells you exactly what gets picked up on which day for any address. Download it, enter the home's address, and set reminders. It's saved me multiple times.

Navigating Quebec City Transportation During Your Exchange

Unless you're exchanging for a home in the suburbs, you probably don't need a car. The Old Town and surrounding neighborhoods are extremely walkable, and the public transit system covers most areas you'd want to visit.

RTC Bus System

The Réseau de transport de la Capitale (RTC) runs Quebec City's buses. A single ride costs $3.50 CAD ($2.60 USD), but if you're staying more than a few days, the monthly pass at $89.50 CAD ($66 USD) or weekly pass at $31 CAD ($23 USD) makes more sense. You can buy passes at major grocery stores, deps, and the RTC customer service center.

Buses run frequently on main routes (every 10-15 minutes during peak hours) but can be sparse on evenings and Sundays. The RTC has a decent app for real-time tracking, though Google Maps also works well for planning routes.

If You Need a Car

For day trips to Île d'Orléans, Montmorency Falls, or the Charlevoix region, you'll want wheels. Car-sharing services like Communauto operate in Quebec City—it's like Zipcar, and you can register online before your trip. Traditional rental companies (Enterprise, Budget, Hertz) have locations throughout the city, with the best rates usually at the airport.

Winter driving in Quebec City requires snow tires—it's actually illegal to drive without them from December 1 to March 15. Any rental car should come equipped, but double-check when booking.

Seasonal Considerations for Quebec City Home Exchange

Quebec City experiences four very distinct seasons, and each one affects your home exchange experience differently.

Winter (December-March)

This is when Quebec City truly shines—and when your home exchange essentials list gets longer. Expect temperatures between -10°C and -20°C (14°F to -4°F), with occasional dips to -30°C (-22°F). The heating system becomes your best friend.

Your host should show you how to deal with snow removal if there's a driveway or walkway. Many homes have a contract with a déneigement service (snow removal), but sidewalks are often the homeowner's responsibility. Ask about this before you arrive.

Also crucial: know where the circuit breaker is. Electric heating systems can occasionally trip breakers, especially in older homes when multiple heaters run simultaneously. This happened to me during my second Quebec City exchange, and knowing where to reset the breaker saved a very cold night.

Summer (June-August)

Quebec summers are glorious—warm days around 25°C (77°F), long evenings, festivals everywhere. But many older Quebec City homes don't have air conditioning. This is usually fine since the stone buildings stay naturally cool, but during heat waves, it can get uncomfortable.

Ask your host about cooling options. Many homes have portable AC units or window units in bedrooms. Ceiling fans and cross-ventilation work well in most heritage buildings. The thick stone walls that keep you cool in summer are the same ones that keep you warm in winter.

Shoulder Seasons (April-May, September-November)

My favorite times for Quebec City home exchanges. The weather is mild, tourists are fewer, and the city feels more authentically local. Spring brings maple syrup season (cabane à sucre trips are mandatory), while fall offers spectacular foliage.

The main practical consideration during shoulder seasons is the heating transition. Many homes switch from "heating mode" to "not heating mode" around late April and back again in October. If you're visiting during these transition periods, you might experience a few days where the home feels too warm or too cool as temperatures fluctuate.

Emergency Information and Safety Essentials

I always hope I never need this information. But I always make sure I have it.

Emergency Numbers

911 covers police, fire, and ambulance—same as the US. 811 is Info-Santé, a free health advice hotline staffed by nurses. Incredibly useful for non-emergency health questions. Poison Control is 1-800-463-5060.

Healthcare Access

Canada has universal healthcare, but it doesn't automatically cover visitors. Before your trip, confirm your travel insurance covers medical care in Canada. If you need non-emergency medical attention, walk-in clinics (cliniques sans rendez-vous) are available throughout the city. Wait times can be long—bring a book.

For emergencies, the main hospitals are CHU de Québec-Université Laval (CHUL) at 2705 Boulevard Laurier and Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus at 1401 18e Rue (the main trauma center).

Pharmacies

Jean Coutu and Pharmaprix (Shoppers Drug Mart in other provinces) are the main pharmacy chains. Both have locations throughout the city, and some have extended hours. The Pharmaprix on Boulevard René-Lévesque is open until midnight.

Communication Tips: Language and Cultural Essentials

Quebec City is predominantly French-speaking—more so than Montreal. While you can get by with English in tourist areas, knowing some French (or at least attempting it) goes a long way.

Basic Phrases That Help

Starting interactions with "Bonjour" is essential. It's not just polite; it's expected. A simple "Bonjour, parlez-vous anglais?" (Hello, do you speak English?) shows respect and usually gets a friendly response.

Other useful phrases: "Je ne parle pas français" (I don't speak French), "L'addition, s'il vous plaît" (The bill, please), "Où sont les toilettes?" (Where are the bathrooms?), and "Merci beaucoup" (Thank you very much).

Cultural Notes

Quebecers are generally warm and helpful, but they appreciate when visitors acknowledge the French-first culture. Don't assume everyone speaks English, even if many do. Small efforts—ordering your coffee in French, saying "merci" instead of "thanks"—are noticed and appreciated.

Tipping culture is similar to the US: 15-20% at restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars, 15% for taxi drivers.

Setting Up Your Quebec City Home Exchange for Success

Before I wrap up, here's my pre-arrival checklist—the questions I always ask hosts now, after learning the hard way.

Utilities and systems: How does the heating/cooling system work? Can you do a video walkthrough? Where's the circuit breaker/fuse box? Are there any quirks with the hot water (tank size, recovery time)? What's the WiFi network and password? Is there a data cap on the internet?

Practical daily life: What day is garbage/recycling/compost collection? Where are the bins stored? Any parking permits needed for street parking? Where's the nearest grocery store, pharmacy, and dep?

Emergency and maintenance: Who should I contact if something breaks? Is there a building superintendent or property manager? Where are the water shut-off valves? Any alarm systems I need to know about?

Most hosts are happy to provide this information—they want their home cared for, and an informed guest is a better guest. On SwappaHome, I always send these questions through the messaging system about a week before arrival. Gives hosts time to respond thoughtfully and gives me time to follow up if anything's unclear.

Making the Most of Your Quebec City Home Exchange

After all this practical talk, I want to end with something more personal.

Quebec City isn't just a destination—it's a feeling. There's something about waking up in a real home here, making coffee in someone's kitchen, walking to the bakery for croissants like the neighbors do, that transforms travel into something deeper.

That first exchange, the one where I couldn't figure out the heat? By the end of two weeks, I knew the best boulangerie in Saint-Jean-Baptiste (Pâtisserie Le Croquembouche, for the record), had a favorite bench in the Parc des Champs-de-Bataille, and felt genuinely sad to leave. The practical stuff—the utilities, the WiFi, the garbage schedule—faded into background knowledge. What remained was the experience of living, however briefly, in one of North America's most beautiful cities.

That's what home exchange offers that hotels never can. And Quebec City, with all its quirks and charm, is one of the best places to experience it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What utilities are included in a Quebec City home exchange?

Most Quebec City home exchanges include all utilities—electricity (Hydro-Québec), water, and internet—as standard. Hosts typically don't charge extra for normal usage. During winter months when heating costs spike, it's courteous to discuss expectations upfront. Always confirm with your specific host what's included before finalizing your exchange.

How reliable is WiFi in Quebec City's Old Town for remote work?

WiFi reliability in Vieux-Québec varies significantly due to the 300-year-old stone buildings that can block signals. Most homes have adequate internet (50-400 Mbps), but speeds may be slower in heritage buildings with older wiring. Ask your host about actual speeds and router placement, and have a backup plan like a local SIM card or nearby café for important calls.

Do I need to speak French for a Quebec City home exchange?

While you can manage with English in tourist areas, Quebec City is predominantly French-speaking. Learning basic phrases like "Bonjour" and "Merci" shows respect and improves interactions significantly. Most hosts communicate in English on SwappaHome, but neighbors, shopkeepers, and service providers may prefer French.

How does garbage and recycling work in Quebec City?

Quebec City uses a mandatory three-bin system: blue for recycling, brown for compost/organic waste, and black for garbage. Collection days vary by neighborhood—download the "Info-collectes" app to get the exact schedule for your exchange address. Your host should provide the bins and explain any building-specific rules.

Is a car necessary during a Quebec City home exchange?

For stays in the Old Town, Saint-Jean-Baptiste, or Montcalm neighborhoods, a car is unnecessary—these areas are highly walkable with good bus service. You'll only need a car for day trips to Île d'Orléans, Montmorency Falls, or Charlevoix. Consider Communauto car-sharing or traditional rentals for occasional excursions. Remember: snow tires are legally required December through March.