Sign-up credits and promo codes on Alberta energy plans: what they are worth

A sign-up or referral credit is paid once. It often arrives weeks after the plan starts and can be lost by leaving early or falling behind on payments.

Compare the plan’s total cost over its whole term first. Spread the credit over that term, then add any exit fee if you expect to leave early.

What kinds of credits do Alberta retailers offer?

A sign-up credit reduces a new customer’s bill. A referral credit follows a qualifying introduction by an existing customer. A promo code or referral link may be how the retailer records eligibility.

What conditions come with a credit?

Check the waiting period, which accounts must stay active, payment requirements and any credit check. Save the terms you accept, including what happens if you cancel before service starts.

Check these conditions before counting a credit in your comparison.

• ATCO Energy: Sites must remain active and in good standing throughout the promotional period. The offer requires a credit check and may be modified or discontinued. (read 22 October 2026) [source] These conditions belong to an offer ending 30 November 2026.
• Direct Energy: The bill credit is applied sixty days after the referred customer’s plan starts. Neither account may be cancelled or in arrears before then. The amount may change before enrolment. These terms are governed by Alberta law. (read 22 October 2026) [source]
• Encor by EPCOR: The referred customer must keep the new account in good standing for at least thirty consecutive days. The terms may change at any time without prior notice. (read 22 October 2026) [source] The terms state an effective date of 29 May 2024.
• ENMAX: The credit is applied within sixty days of the referred plan’s start. Neither account may be cancelled or in arrears before then. Terms may change without notice. (read 22 October 2026) [source] Cancelling either plan before the referred plan starts prevents the credit. The credit is subject to GST. (read 22 October 2026) [source]

Use the retailer’s terms at the time you sign. The waiting period is not necessarily the payment date, and the reward for referring another customer can differ from the reward for joining.

How much is a credit really worth?

Use the electricity consumption on your own bills to work out how much a price difference would cost you each month.

Compare administration charges and all other bill costs too. For gas, use the same method with your gas use and the price per GJ.

If you expect to leave early, compare costs over the time you expect to stay, count only a credit you would qualify for, and add any exit fee.

Read about cancellation and exit fees, switching retailers and renewing a plan before signing.

What should I look for in the contract?

Read the credit conditions alongside the contract’s start date, end date, charges and cancellation terms. Ask the retailer to put the credit conditions in writing. See our contract cancellation guide for cancellation rights and notice requirements.

Does a credit change what BillRobin shows?

Our check compares each plan’s estimated cost at your address over the first twelve months after a switch would take effect, so check what a plan costs after that, in the contract’s later months. A one-time credit is never turned into a yearly saving; retailer money never changes the order.

A bill check, free during our launch

BillRobin is an Alberta service. We compare plans 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.