A default power or gas supplier may ask for a security deposit when it cannot confirm your credit, or after late or bounced payments. EPCOR’s cap is 30% of the estimated annual total charge (read 21 October 2026) [source]. The other default suppliers’ caps are shown below. EPCOR’s refund rule is: Returned or credited after 12 consecutive months of satisfactory credit history. On closure, the deposit is applied to outstanding amounts. (read 21 October 2026) [source] Interest is payable, but the rate and refund conditions differ by supplier.
A deposit is money held as security against unpaid bills. It is separate from the energy price and the fees on your bill. Thin credit does not mean you have missed a payment. Ask what evidence or waiver the supplier will accept.
When can I be asked for a deposit?
The default suppliers’ terms allow deposits at signup and later if payment or use changes. A credit check can help establish your history. These are default service terms; competitive plans from the same brands have separate contracts.
This table uses the terms linked on the AUC’s current rates pages when checked. The ENMAX and DERS electricity PDFs retain approval-number placeholders. We have not assigned them an approval number.
| Provider | When a deposit can be asked | Most it can be | When you get it back | Interest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPCOR Energy Alberta, default electricity (read 21 October 2026) [source] | Credit cannot be confirmed or credit information is refused; 2 consecutive late bills in 12 months; more than one returned payment in 6 months; a consumption increase above 50% over the prior 6 months; a new connection or reconnection after prior termination, or reconnection after non-payment. (read 21 October 2026) [source] | 30% of the estimated annual total charge (read 21 October 2026) [source] | Returned or credited after 12 consecutive months of satisfactory credit history. On closure, the deposit is applied to outstanding amounts. (read 21 October 2026) [source] | Simple interest on the daily cash balance at the rate specified under the Residential Tenancies Act, paid at year end or account closure. (read 21 October 2026) [source] |
| ENMAX Energy, default electricity (read 21 October 2026) [source] | Unsatisfactory credit rating or history; 2 consecutive or 3 other late bills in 12 months; more than one returned payment in 6 months; a consumption increase above 50% over the prior 6 months; reconnection after non-payment. (read 21 October 2026) [source] | 30% of the estimated annual total bill for the site (read 21 October 2026) [source] | Credited after 12 consecutive months of satisfactory payment history. At disconnection or closure, outstanding charges are deducted; the deposit may also be applied to another default electricity account. (read 21 October 2026) [source] | The one-year non-redeemable Royal Bank GIC rate for investments of $500 to $99,999.99, set 10 business days before the calendar year and updated annually. (read 21 October 2026) [source] |
| Direct Energy Regulated Services, default electricity (read 21 October 2026) [source] | Credit cannot be confirmed or credit information is refused; 2 consecutive or 3 other late bills in 12 months; more than one returned payment in 6 months; a consumption increase above 50% over the prior 6 months; new service after termination or reconnection after non-payment. (read 21 October 2026) [source] | 30% of the estimated annual total charge (read 21 October 2026) [source] | After 12 consecutive satisfactory payment months or when the account is no longer active, whichever is later. Amounts owing on any DERS account are deducted first. (read 21 October 2026) [source] | The one-year non-redeemable Royal Bank GIC rate for investments of $500 to $99,999.99, set 5 business days before each quarter. Accrues monthly and is payable on return of the deposit. (read 21 October 2026) [source] |
| Direct Energy Regulated Services, default gas (read 21 October 2026) [source] | Credit cannot be confirmed or credit information is refused; 2 consecutive or 3 other late bills in 12 months; more than one returned payment in 6 months; a consumption increase above 50% over the prior 6 months; new service after termination or reconnection after non-payment. (read 21 October 2026) [source] | 30% of the estimated annual total charge (read 21 October 2026) [source] | After 12 consecutive satisfactory payment months or when the account is no longer active, whichever is later. Amounts owing on any DERS account are deducted first. (read 21 October 2026) [source] | The one-year non-redeemable Royal Bank GIC rate for investments of $500 to $99,999.99, set 5 business days before each quarter. Accrues monthly and is payable on return of the deposit. (read 21 October 2026) [source] |
The listed triggers are examples in the terms, rather than a complete list. Ask the supplier which clause it is using and keep its answer.
How much can it be?
The default caps use the estimated annual total charge or bill, not just the energy line. Ask for the annual estimate and the deposit calculation in writing.
For illustration
For illustration, suppose your annual total bill is $2,400. A 30 per cent cap gives $2,400 × 0.30 = $720. That is the maximum for this made-up estimate, not a quote or a flat fee for every home.
How can I avoid one?
Ask about a waiver before paying. A satisfactory credit check is one route, but it is not the only evidence the terms accept.
- EPCOR may waive security for satisfactory history with EPCOR, a satisfactory external credit check, or an acceptable indemnity bond or irrevocable letter of credit. (read 21 October 2026) [source]
- DERS may waive a deposit for good payment history with DERS or another retailer, a satisfactory external credit check, or an acceptable indemnity bond or irrevocable letter of credit. (read 21 October 2026) [source]
- For default gas: DERS may waive a deposit for good payment history with DERS or another retailer, a satisfactory external credit check, or an acceptable indemnity bond or irrevocable letter of credit. (read 21 October 2026) [source]
- EPCOR lists automatic withdrawal as a way to waive a deposit and skip the credit check. Ask whether this applies to your account. (read 21 October 2026) [source]
A letter of credit is a formal bank undertaking, not simply a letter showing your account balance. Ask the supplier what form it needs and ask the bank about costs. The listed waivers are discretionary.
Does Direct Energy require a credit check? Its regulated service terms list an external check as a waiver route. DERS may charge the customer the cost of an external credit check. (read 21 October 2026) [source] For default gas: DERS may charge the customer the cost of an external credit check. (read 21 October 2026) [source] Ask about the fee before agreeing. These clauses do not establish the policy for a competitive Direct Energy contract.
When do I get it back, and with interest?
Keep proof of your deposit and full, on-time bill payments. Ask for a review when you meet the supplier’s conditions. A return may be an account credit, and unpaid charges can reduce the cash you receive.
EPCOR and ENMAX’s payment-history periods are in the table. DERS’s wording says whichever is later: the satisfactory payment period or the account becoming inactive. Do not assume that keeping a DERS account open gives the same refund timing as EPCOR or ENMAX.
The interest rate on an electricity security deposit depends on the supplier. EPCOR uses the Residential Tenancies Act rate. ENMAX and DERS use Royal Bank GIC benchmarks, with different reset dates. The table gives the formulas; ask for the current rate and an interest statement.
Do competitive retailers ask for deposits?
They may, within the household energy marketing rules. Alberta’s licensing page points to the collection-of-fees section, while the current regulation has a separate section for customer security deposits.
At contract signing, a marketer may collect a deposit if the consumer has no credit history, has a poor credit rating in the marketer’s opinion, or previously had electricity or gas cancelled for non-payment. (read 21 October 2026) [source]
The cap is 30% of the estimated yearly electricity bill for an electricity contract, or 30% of the estimated yearly gas bill for a gas contract. (read 21 October 2026) [source]
The entire deposit must be refunded within 15 days of cancellation under this Regulation, even if energy was supplied. After all required payments for one year from contract signing, the entire deposit must be refunded within 15 days of the last payment for that year. (read 21 October 2026) [source]
A marketer must not accept a cash security deposit in a face to face transaction. (read 21 October 2026) [source]
Ask about the credit check, any fee, the deposit, interest and refunds before signing. The deposit section does not specify an interest formula. Read the retailer’s contract for that detail; do not apply a default supplier’s interest formula to a competitive plan.
What if I cannot pay a deposit?
Contact the supplier before the due date. Ask for a waiver or a payment arrangement, and explain what you can pay.
EPCOR may allow part of the deposit initially and the rest over a reasonable period, at its discretion. (read 21 October 2026) [source] DERS may grant a request to pay part initially and the rest over a reasonable period. (read 21 October 2026) [source] For default gas: DERS may grant a request to pay part initially and the rest over a reasonable period. (read 21 October 2026) [source]
Our help paying utility bills guide explains where to seek support. To reach a Utilities Consumer Advocate mediation officer, call 310-4822 in Alberta or 1-888-644-6608 outside Alberta, or email ucahelps@gov.ab.ca. The UCA mediation team helps consumers resolve an issue with their utility company. (read 15 October 2026) [source]
If you are moving utilities, ask about deposits while arranging the new account. Before switching providers, check how the old deposit will be applied to your final bill.
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Questions people ask
Does ENMAX do credit checks or require a security deposit?
ENMAX Energy’s default electricity terms allow a deposit when your credit rating or payment history is unsatisfactory. Late bills, returned payments or a rise in use can also trigger a deposit. Ask which terms apply to your account, since a competitive plan is a different service.
Does EPCOR require a deposit?
EPCOR may require a deposit depending on your credit check results and payment history. Its deposits page lists automatic withdrawal as a way to waive a deposit and skip the credit check. Ask whether that option applies to your account before you agree to pay a deposit.
Does Direct Energy require a credit check?
Direct Energy Regulated Services lists an external credit check as a possible way to waive a deposit and says it may charge for that check. Its terms also allow evidence of good payment with another retailer. Competitive Direct Energy contracts have separate terms, so ask before signing.
How do I get my electricity deposit back?
Keep your bills paid in full by the due date and ask your supplier to confirm the refund conditions in writing. A deposit may be credited to your account rather than sent as cash. If you close the account, outstanding charges can reduce the amount you receive.
Sources
Written by the BillRobin team. Updated .
Show the 7 sources
- Energy Marketing and Residential Heat Sub-Metering Regulation, AR 246/2005, current August 17, 2026
- DERS default electricity terms, effective January 2025
- DERS default gas terms, Decision 28204-D01-2023
- ENMAX Energy default electricity terms, effective January 2025
- EPCOR Energy Alberta terms, Decision 30805-D01-2026
- Utilities Consumer Advocate: Contact Us
- EPCOR deposits
https://billrobin.com/ca/en/alberta/energy/security-deposits-and-credit-checks?utm_medium=share&utm_source=page
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