Moving into a new home is exciting, but many homeowners are surprised by how many services need to be set up before possession day. In Alberta’s deregulated energy market, choosing the right electricity and natural gas plan can make a meaningful difference in your long-term utility costs.

1. Electricity & Natural Gas Service

Unlike most provinces, homeowners in Alberta can choose their electricity and natural gas provider.

You typically have three options:

Fixed Rate Plan

  • Locks in a set price per kWh / GJ.
  • More predictable monthly bills.
  • Often preferred during volatile markets.

Floating Rate Plan

  • Price changes monthly with the wholesale market.
  • Can sometimes be cheaper long-term, but less predictable.

Regulated Rate Option (RRO)

  • Default utility rate if you do not choose a retailer.
  • Rate changes monthly.

If you’re unsure which option fits your new home, our solar & rate calculator and plan comparison page can help illustrate cost differences.

2. Distribution & Transmission Charges

Regardless of which retailer you choose, part of your bill always goes to your local distribution utility. These fees support the poles, wires, and pipelines that get power and gas from the source to your home.

  • These charges are regulated and do not change when switching retailers.
  • Changing providers only affects the energy rate (¢/kWh) and the admin fee on your bill.

3. Water, Sewer, and Waste

Water, sewer, and waste services are typically handled either directly by your municipality or by a single retailer selected by the municipality.

For example:

  • In Calgary, services are provided through ENMAX.
  • In Edmonton, services are provided through EPCOR.
  • In other municipalities, they are usually managed through a city utility account.

Recommended action: Set up your municipal utility account for water / sewer / waste shortly after possession.

4. If Your Home Has Solar (or You Plan to Add It)

Many Alberta homeowners install solar panels to reduce electricity costs and export excess power to the grid.

  • Solar homeowners often benefit from special electricity rate programs designed for micro-generators.
  • These programs can provide premium value for excess electricity you generate and send back to the grid.

At Energon, we provide simple tools to help Alberta homeowners compare electricity plans and see which plans will save them the most money.

Use our solar rate calculator or explore our best solar electricity plans guide to understand your options.

Energon Utility Rate Optimization Service

energon.ca is an Alberta-based initiative focused on helping homeowners understand the province’s unique electricity market and get the best value from their energy plans. We provide simple web tools to help Alberta homeowners compare electricity plans and save money.

We can:

  • Estimate annual costs.
  • Compare rate options.
  • Explore solar export benefits.

To see how your current plan compares, email us directly for a free utility rate optimization report:
energonalberta@gmail.com

Top 5 Myths About Choosing a Utility Retailer

Myth 1

“There’s not much difference between retailers. It’s not worth the hassle.”

All energy suppliers use the same distribution infrastructure, but different retailers negotiate different deals for the power or gas they provide, so rates can differ significantly.

A typical home in Alberta consumes 7,200 kWh/year. Here’s how two sample rates compare:

Retailer A

  • Rate: 11.59 ¢/kWh
  • Admin Fee: $10.50/month
  • Usage: 7,200 kWh/year

Electricity costs/year: ≈ $960

Retailer B

  • Rate: 7.49 ¢/kWh
  • Admin Fee: $7.59/month
  • Usage: 7,200 kWh/year

Electricity costs/year: ≈ $630

Annual savings: roughly $330/year just by choosing a more competitive rate and admin fee.

Myth 2

“You need to call your existing supplier to cancel your contract.”

No you don’t. When you switch, your new retailer automatically closes your old account and starts billing from your chosen start date. You simply receive your next bill from the new provider.

Myth 3

“I can’t switch right now because I’m tied into a long‑term contract.”

Utilities are not like cell phone plans. Most retailers don’t charge exit or cancellation fees, and in most cases there are no fees associated with switching plans. The contract you sign usually just guarantees the rate for the term—it doesn’t always prevent you from moving to a better rate partway through.

Myth 4

“My services might be interrupted if I switch providers.”

When switching providers, the physical supply of power or gas to your home is not interrupted. The wires and pipes stay the same. The new retailer simply assumes billing for the energy you consume on the effective date.

Myth 5

“I’m safer sticking to big retailers. Smaller retailers are risky.”

There is no supply risk to you if you decide to get services through a smaller retailer. On the off chance a smaller retailer goes under, your power or gas will not be cut off. Industry regulators ensure another retailer picks up supply to your property without interruption. You can then switch again if you find a more competitive rate.