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Direct Energy customer support:

1-866-374-6299

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A man in an orange shirt and blue jean shorts skiing down a snowy slope, showcasing his skills by jumping through the air
A man in an orange shirt and blue jean shorts skiing down a snowy slope, showcasing his skills by jumping through the air

2 FREE months of electricity* is back

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Three people in a restaurant, gathered around a tablet, reviewing table layout.
Three people in a restaurant, gathered around a tablet, reviewing table layout.

Our energy plans for your business are not one-size-fits-all.

Check out our energy plans for restaurants and learn how to make your business more energy efficient. 

 

Learn how

Your go-to resource for all things energy related in Alberta.

Want to know more about your energy options? Looking for ways to save on energy usage? We're here to help you make an educated decision.

 

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Lowering your bill

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Here are some helpful tips to reduce your energy use:

  • Unplug unused appliances.
  • Maintain or upgrade your furnace and air conditioner.
  • Switch to LED lightbulbs.
  • Wash clothes in cold water.
  • Add motion sensors or timers to outdoor lights.
  • Ensure there are no air leaks around your windows and doors.
  • Rotate ceiling fans counterclockwise in the summer to circulate cool air; turn clockwise in winter to push warm air down.

Visit our Learning Centre to find energy efficiency tips for all seasons. 

If your energy bill is higher than usual and you're not on Average Billing, it may be due to one or more of the following:

1. A longer billing period

Check the billing dates on your invoice. Billing periods are typically about one month, but delays in receiving meter readings from your distributor can result in a longer billing cycle. More days means more usage, which increases energy, administration, delivery, and government charges. Final bills or missed invoices can also result in a longer billing period.

2. Increased energy use due to weather or home changes

Extended periods of very hot or cold weather can increase energy use as heating and cooling systems run more often. Other factors like adjusting your thermostat, using more appliances (for example, air conditioners or space heaters), having guests, or seasonal changes (like shorter daylight hours) can also increase consumption.

3. Delivery and government charges

When energy use increases, delivery charges (distribution and transmission) and government charges may also increase. Some charges — such as local access fees, municipal franchise fees, and rate riders — can vary based on your usage and billing period.

4. Changes to your rates

If you are on a floating or regulated rate, your energy price can change monthly due to market conditions. Even if your usage stays the same, a higher rate can increase your total bill. Regulated rates are reviewed and approved by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC).

5. Billing adjustments or account changes

Your bill may be higher due to corrected usage from your distributor, a balance carried forward from a previous bill, or new sites or services added to your account.

During periods of extreme cold, we have seen customers' usage of natural gas increase as much as 35% from what's typical for a month. In addition, electricity usage can climb 15% higher than usual. If you have an air conditioner and extreme heat hits, your electricity bill may climb even higher. 

Natural gas usage, in particular, is highly seasonal. The average customer will use 20 GJ in the colder winter months, while that drops to as little as 2 GJ in the summer. But extreme cold can push that even higher. 

With warmer weather, electricity consumption may increase, especially if you have air conditioning. Even without AC, you may be running fans. Appliances like the fridge and freezer must work harder to stay cool. It's important to remember that on both hot and cold days, you do not need to adjust your thermostat to cool or heat your home faster.

The simplest way to reduce your energy bills is to reduce consumption. To help, we have put together several  blogs on how to save energy.

Some simple ideas include:

  • Adjust the thermostat (down in the winter, up in the summer if you have air conditioning). Even a few degrees can make a significant difference. 
  • Lower or turn off the heat in unused space (Garage, storage, barn).
  • Check windows and doors for drafts and properly seal them. 
  • Turn off lights when not in use.
  • Invest in energy-efficient options (LED lightbulbs, programmable thermostats, etc.)

 

 

Didn't find the information you were looking for? We have more FAQs specifically for our regulated customers.  

See more FAQs

Have a question about a plan or need help placing an order?

Call us: 1-866-374-6299

Hours: 7:00am - 9:00pm MST (Monday to Friday), 8:00am - 4:30pm (Saturday), Closed Sundays

To enroll, you will need:

  • To be the person named on the utility account
  • Your service address
  • Your billing address (if different)
  • Your contact details including email address
  • To be over the age of 18