Is it worth switching energy providers in Alberta? What the numbers show

Switching is worth it when a plan costs less for your own use after fees and any exit fee. The Utilities Consumer Advocate says you can leave a default rate without penalty. Leaving a contract early can cost an exit fee, so compare both fuels and their terms before you decide.

Default prices beside fixed prices

Default prices and fixed prices can point in different directions for power and gas. The UCA says the energy rate is only part of a bill. BillRobin’s dated collection shows the gap for each fuel. Compare those prices with your own use and fees before choosing a plan.

These are energy prices only, before delivery, administration fees and tax, and none of them is a total bill. Introductory prices are left out. Retailer prices change often and these are about a month old.

Compare these prices with your own bills.

The costs of switching

Switching costs depend on your old contract and the new company’s terms. The UCA says you can leave default retailers without penalty. A contract may have an exit fee. A deposit can tie up cash even if the new energy price is lower. Read both sets of terms first.

Consumers can leave default retailers at any point without penalty. (read 30 October 2026) [source] Consumers may have to pay exit fees for leaving contracts early. (read 30 October 2026) [source]

Default and competitive retailers may require a deposit. (read 30 October 2026) [source] Retailers may require credit checks, email accounts or direct withdrawals. (read 30 October 2026) [source]

Ask the current retailer whether notice or exit fees apply before switching. (read 30 October 2026) [source] The final bill may be higher or lower than usual due to exit fees and other adjustments. (read 30 October 2026) [source] Pay the final bill. Payments and credits cannot transfer between retailers. (read 30 October 2026) [source]

Every competitive retailer has a cooling-off period of ten calendar days to cancel without penalty. (read 30 October 2026) [source] Section 10 requires the contract to state any exit fees. (read 30 October 2026) [source] Section 10 gives a right to cancel without cost or penalty. It lasts until ten days after the marketer receives the signed contract. (read 30 October 2026) [source]

Section 19 prohibits fees related to entry to or exit from the regulated rate tariff. (read 30 October 2026) [source] This rule covers the regulated rate tariff.

Direct Energy says it has no enrollment fees for electricity and natural gas. (read 30 October 2026) [source] Direct Energy says the current supplier may charge a cancellation fee within the contract term. (read 30 October 2026) [source] ATCO Energy says some retailer plans have a cancellation fee. (read 30 October 2026) [source]

Read the contract cancellation guide before leaving a contract.

When switching is not worth it

Switching is not worth it when the full cost is higher for your own use. The UCA says the energy rate is only part of a bill. Fees can erase an estimated saving. Compare the price on your bill with the new plan, then read the terms before you sign.

1. Your fixed price is already at or below the prices available to you. Compare the price on your own bill with the new plan’s full cost.
2. The exit fee exceeds the estimated saving over the rest of your term. Divide the fee by the estimated monthly saving to find how many months it takes to cover the fee.
3. The price only lasts for a short time. Understand the terms of a promotion and the rates once it ends. (read 30 October 2026) [source] Spread a sign-up credit over the whole term. Treat a price for the first twelve months as covering only those months.
4. Your contract is close to its end date. Check that date before paying a fee to leave.
5. You are about to move. Check whether the plan can move with you using the moving utilities guide.

Schedule 1 warns that the business may not supply energy for less than the current utility company. (read 30 October 2026) [source] There is no requirement to switch from the Rate of Last Resort. (read 30 October 2026) [source]

Work out your own estimated saving

Your estimated saving starts with the power and gas use on your own bills. The UCA publishes typical household use as a starting point. Your home can use more or less, and gas use changes with the season. Compare the same months of use for each plan and include fees.

1. Find your monthly electricity use in kWh and gas use in GJ. Use your bills across the seasons.
2. Multiply the same use by each plan’s price. Divide electricity prices in cents by one hundred to get dollars.
3. Add each plan’s administration fees and any exit fee. Spread credits over the full term and include the price after a promotion.
4. Compare the full costs for the same period. Label any saving as an estimate and keep delivery charges and tax in view.

The UCA’s typical monthly use is 600 kWh (read 5 October 2026) [source] for electricity and 10 GJ (read 5 October 2026) [source] for gas. Use your own bills when you have them.

Unpaid bills and renewing plans

Unpaid bills and renewing plans need a separate look before you switch. The UCA says payments and credits cannot move between retailers. The old balance still needs to be paid. Read a renewal offer against your current price, its end date and the full cost for your own use.

If you owe money, ask about a payment plan. Read help paying utility bills and ask the new company about credit requirements.

If your term is ending, compare the renewal with other plans. The renewing energy plan guide covers what to read.

For the steps to change companies, read switching energy companies.

A bill check, free during our launch

BillRobin is an Alberta service. We compare every plan we can confirm for your home, show them in order of estimated cost, and you decide. We never switch your plan, never phone you and never ask for banking details or a social insurance number.

Send us your gas and electricity bills as PDFs. No PDF? Screenshots or a photo work too. We compare the plans at your address, free during our launch period.

Any saving shown is an estimate.