We all know that energy rates are not the same across Canada. There are a lot of variables that come into effect during the creation of those rates, and those variables can change a lot between provinces: politics, access, environmental fees, demand, etc. But did you know that energy rates can change within the province, too? There can even be differences between areas like Northern and Southern Alberta. That’s why it’s so important to compare your gas and electricity rates before you sign the contract.
Why does it matter?
Rates are rates, right? So why does it matter which provider you choose? Well, not exactly. Energy rates don’t come in one standard form across the board. Ever since the deregulation of the energy market, energy rates have been a lot more flexible, and that means gas and electricity providers have been getting a lot more competitive with those rates. That’s a good thing. It means you can find rates that are lower than others, and rates that offer more stable contracts that can better protect you against market fluctuations—and the best part is that you aren’t stuck with one option or the other. You can choose the energy rates that are most compatible with your needs; you just have to compare the gas and electricity rates that are offered by each provider in your area before you choose one.
What can influence your rates?
Just as there are a lot of variables that can affect your energy rates between provinces, there can be a lot of variables between regions within the same province. That’s why it’s important not only to compare your gas and electricity rates, but also to read the fine print before you sign the contract. Whether you are moving between Northern and Southern Alberta, or whether you are simply looking at a provider who offers great rates to both regions, it’s especially important to look into all of the details before you sign the contract.
While a rate may seem like the lowest and best option, there may be other variables that could drive the prices up. For instance, the more remote areas of Northern Alberta may have higher delivery fees than cities like Edmonton, where a higher population means more spread out service charges—and more competition when it comes to setting up those fine print items, like cancellation fees, for one.
Your needs are different, too.
But the variables of the region and the provider aren’t the only things that change between Northern and Southern Alberta. Your needs change, too. Different temperatures, weather patterns, economic, and even social factors can mean different things when it comes to calculating your consumption needs and your usage pattern, and those variables make a big impact on which rate plan you choose. It isn’t always just about finding the lowest rates. You need to compare gas and electricity rates between providers so you can determine which provider is going to offer the package that will accommodate all of the variables in a way that will save you the most money on your energy bill.
