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Alberta natural gas rates: compare fixed, floating and default plans

Compare gas plans using your home’s yearly GJ and all fees. Default gas rates change each month; fixed rates stay set for the term.

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Key facts

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Your gas rate is the price per GJ on your bill. Add company fees and use your yearly GJ to compare plans.

See default gas rates for each month since October 2025.

Gas rates this month

Default energy rates for October 2026
AreaEnergy rate
ATCO Gas NorthC$1.458 per GJ (1 October 2026 to 31 October 2026) [source]
ATCO Gas SouthC$1.458 per GJ (1 October 2026 to 31 October 2026) [source]
ApexC$1.602 per GJ (1 October 2026 to 31 October 2026) [source]

Retailer prices change often. These are about a month old.

Check today's prices for my home

Alberta’s natural-gas rates

Gas prices vary by plan and area. In the ATCO Gas area, Direct Energy Regulated Services had these default rates:

  • October 2026: C$1.458 per GJ (1 October 2026 to 31 October 2026) [source].
  • September 2026: C$1.124 per GJ (1 September 2026 to 30 September 2026) [source].

These prices leave out delivery charges, company fees and tax. Match the dates on your bill to the default gas rate page. Past prices cannot tell you what winter gas will cost.

The electricity Rate of Last Resort is a different plan. EPCOR in Edmonton charges 12.01¢ per kWh (1 January 2025 to 31 December 2026) [source]. That electricity price lasts until 31 December 2026; default gas prices change each month.

A GJ, or gigajoule, measures the energy in the gas you use. Delivery charges pay to bring gas to your home.

Fixed, floating and default gas rates

  • Fixed: Your price per GJ stays set for the term. Usage and other charges can still change your bill.
  • Floating: Your price can rise or fall. Check how the company adds its fees.
  • Default: Your local default gas price changes each month. It is separate from a fixed contract.

The UCA explains these rate types. Ask how often the price can change and what happens when the term ends. Check any rules for changing rate types.

Floating plans can use different price rules. Ask what each fee covers so you do not count it twice.

A lower gas rate can still cost more

For example, compare plans at 100 GJ a year, before delivery charges and tax.

  • Plan A: $3 per GJ plus $10 a month in fees. The energy and fees cost about $420 a year.
  • Plan B: $4 per GJ plus $5 a month in fees. The energy and fees cost about $460 a year.

Multiply your yearly GJ by each price, then add a year of fees.

How to compare floating gas fairly

Use your GJ for each month. Multiply each month’s usage by its gas price, then add fees. Add those monthly costs to get the yearly cost.

A simple average of prices can miss the cost of heavy winter use. Give each month the share of gas you used.

For example, 20 GJ at $5 per GJ plus 10 GJ at $2 per GJ. The energy cost is about $120 before fees, delivery charges and tax.

The simple average price is $3.50. Applying that price to 30 GJ gives about $105. That misses the extra cost of using more gas in the dearer month.

Try costs with both higher and lower future prices. Past floating prices cannot promise future savings. Our fixed versus floating guide can help you choose what fits your budget.

Other costs in your gas plan comparison

Natural-gas delivery charges stay on your bill when you change plans. Compare the same home, GJ and dates.

Check daily or monthly fees, payment costs and any deposit. Read the rules for discounts and plans that combine gas with electricity. A deposit you can get back ties up cash but is not a yearly cost.

You can choose electricity and gas plans on their own. Use our bundle comparison worksheet to compare the costs.

Find plans in the UCA Cost Comparison Tool. Confirm the full terms with the company before you sign.

Before winter 2026–27: decide using your own bills

Find the GJ used on your past winter bills. Compare plans with those same monthly amounts and all fees. A fixed price helps you budget, but higher use still raises the bill.

Follow how to read your ATCO gas bill to find those lines. If the total has jumped, start with the high-bill checks.

BillRobin is an Alberta service. We compare every plan we can confirm for your home.

We show plans in order of estimated cost. You decide whether to change plans.

We never switch your plan, phone you or ask for banking details.

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.

Questions people ask

Should I fix my gas rate before winter?

Check your past winter GJ and compare full plan costs. A fixed price can help you budget, but more use still raises your bill. Think about whether you could pay more if a floating price rose.

Does changing gas companies remove delivery charges?

No. Delivery charges pay to bring gas to your home and stay on your bill. Compare the energy price and fees that a plan change could lower.

Why does my gas bill rise in winter?

Your heating uses more gas in cold weather. Check your GJ used, billed days and price per GJ. Then compare fees and delivery charges with your past bills.

Is the default gas rate fixed?

No. Default gas rates change each month. Match the rate to the dates on your bill before you compare plans.

Sources

Written by the BillRobin team. Updated .

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