If your energy bill is higher than usual and you're not enrolled in Average Billing, there are likely reasons for the increase:

Altered Billing Period:

If your bill is unexpectedly high, check the billing period dates. We aim for a consistent 1-month billing period, but delays in receiving consumption information from the distribution company can extend it. A longer billing period will reflect higher consumption, leading to increased energy, administration, distribution, and government charges.

Extreme Weather Conditions:

Unusually cold or hot periods result in higher energy usage. During January, a typical residential customer consumes 20 GJ per month. Exceptional cold spells or extended time spent at home can significantly exceed this estimate. Cold weather impacts both electricity and natural gas bills, while hot weather primarily affects electricity bills.

Distribution Charge Increases:

Higher energy usage not only raises energy charges but also increases distributor charges due to the variable component of transmission and distribution charges. For natural gas bills, elevated usage results in a higher Federal Carbon Tax, charged per GJ.

Increased Energy Consumption:

Colder weather increases energy use as furnaces burn more natural gas. Electricity usage rises with furnace fan operation, electric heat, space heaters, and longer use of electric lights during shorter winter days.

Other Changes Impacting Consumption:

Alterations in your home environment, such as adjusting the thermostat, more frequent use of AC, and adding or changing appliances, contribute to increased consumption. House guests and neglecting furnace maintenance and filter changes can also lead to higher energy bills.

Regulated Price Increases:

Even with consistent usage, regulated natural gas and electricity prices fluctuate monthly due to weather, usage variations, global events, and supply and demand factors. If commodity prices rise while your usage remains constant, your bill will increase. Our regulated rates undergo review and approval by the Alberta Utilities Commission to ensure fairness.

We manage the entire enrollment process to ensure a smooth transition to your new energy program. Build your program today by clicking here.

Our team of energy consultants utilizes their connections and purchasing influence with suppliers to bargain for the most competitive rates and select the optimal program tailored to your needs. They can provide insights into market conditions, trends, and opportunities, helping you steer clear of risks in volatile markets. This empowers you to save both time and money.

Our consultants receive a salary and earn commissions through "finder's fees" provided by the energy supplier. There is no extra cost to our clients; in other words, our services are provided at no charge.

Our Account Managers will oversee your energy program, consistently reaching out to update you on its performance relative to the market and take note of any changes in your organization. They are available to address any energy-related queries you may have. Additionally, we will remind you to assess your program and secure lower rates when you qualify for an early renewal.

Fixed Rate:

A fixed-rate energy plan means your electricity and/or natural gas rate stays the same month to month. Your energy rate will not be affected if the market prices and conditions change.

Variable Rate:

A variable-rate energy plan means your electricity and/or natural gas rate fluctuates from month to month. The monthly energy rate depends on current market prices and conditions.

We will offer you the most competitive rates from all the major energy suppliers in your local service area, providing you with the chance to select the option that suits you best.

Q: What constitutes the federal carbon tax?

A: Enforced under the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act as part of the federal government's carbon pricing system, the federal carbon tax was implemented on all fossil fuels in Alberta, including natural gas, commencing on January 1, 2020.

Q: How does the federal carbon tax function?

A: Commencing on January 1, 2020, natural gas invoices now feature a specific line item for federal carbon tax charges. This tax is levied on fuels that release greenhouse gases during combustion, encompassing the fuel used for heating homes and businesses.

Q: Will there be an increase in your natural gas bill?

A: Affirmative, your natural gas bill will experience an upturn due to the federal carbon tax, amounting to $3.3270867 per gigajoule (GJ) from April 1, 2023 onward. The federal carbon tax undergoes annual adjustments every April. Those increase can be view here: https://energyrates.ca/alberta/alberta-carbon-levy-rebates/

Distribution encompasses the expenses associated with constructing, operating, and sustaining the essential infrastructure for delivering energy to your residence. Consequently, these costs remain consistent regardless of the amount of energy you use at any particular time.

Moreover, with the expansion of the transmission system, necessitating increased capital investments, the expenses incurred in upgrading the infrastructure contribute to the escalation of your distribution charges.

A full explanation and break dwon can be found here: https://energyrates.ca/alberta/understand-your-bill/

The rates applied for delivery are determined by the portion of the expenses for maintaining and operating the system that the distribution company needs to recover from each customer. Consequently, the distribution cost you incur is influenced by the way this cost is divided among the customer base. In regions with fewer customers, particularly in rural areas where additional resources are required, the distribution cost tends to be relatively higher compared to urban areas.

The distribution costs are further impacted by factors such as the scale of the infrastructure, its age, and the size of the service area.

In Alberta, you have the option to select either a competitive or regulated provider to supply energy to your home or business.

UtilityHelp.ca operates as a competitive retailer, allowing the flexibility to set prices based on market conditions and provide various rate types and terms. This enables UtilityHelp.ca to offer fixed-rate contracts for both natural gas and electricity, ensuring that rates remain constant throughout the contract term.

On the other hand, a regulated retailer operates under the oversight of a government entity, specifically the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC). The AUC regulates rates and services by approving plans for setting gas and electricity rates. Monthly, they review and adjust rates to align with market conditions and adhere to the stipulations outlined in the approved plans.

Both competitive and regulated providers offer natural gas and electricity solutions to power your home or business, but they differ in aspects such as the sign-up process, contract terms, and rate structures.

The primary distinctions between regulated and competitive energy services lie in the pricing structure and the necessity of a contract.

For competitive energy services, each company independently establishes the rates they provide, determining prices according to their market strategies. Typically, these plans entail the requirement of a contract.

In contrast, regulated energy services adhere to rates that undergo regular review and approval by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) every month. This unique feature allows customers to opt for a regulated retailer without the obligation of a contract. Furthermore, customers not engaged in a contract with a competitive retailer default to regulated providers.

An energy supplier is synonymous with an energy retailer. Operating as both a supplier and retailer allows them to procure electricity and natural gas on behalf of our customers in the energy marketplace. Regulated Services provides gas and power at a regulated rate, subject to review and approval by the Alberta Utilities Commission.

Meanwhile, an energy distributor, exemplified by companies like ATCO (gas) and Fortis (electricity), owns the infrastructure and distribution systems essential for transporting natural gas or electricity to consumers' homes or businesses. These energy distributors, with AUC approval, establish the delivery charge rates displayed in the lower section of your bill. Additionally, distributors are entrusted with responding to emergencies or outages.

No, we don't operate as a supplier. Instead, we have cultivated connections with key suppliers in every market we engage with. This ensures that we remain impartial and can offer you the finest options available in your market.

The Site ID is a numerical identifier corresponding to the "location" of your meter, serving as a serial number for either your electricity or gas service. It is unique to your specific location, indicating distinct Site IDs for your natural gas and electricity meters. Your local distribution company assigns the Site ID, employing it to recognize your meter accurately and generate energy bills based on your consumption.

Typically your Site ID is a 13 digit number starting with 00 for electricity and 000 for natural gas.

Reach out to your consultant with any concerns, and they will assist you in finding a resolution.

You settle your bill directly with your energy supplier.

Reach out to us to ensure a smooth and easy transition.

We pride ourselves on providing industry-leading support. Your dedicated energy consultant is available for your convenience throughout the duration of your program.

Certainly! Our consultants are consistently accessible to address any questions or concerns as they arise. You can contact them via email or phone.