Energy 101

The average home in Alberta uses 600 kWh of electricity and 10 GJ of natural gas every month. But what does that mean? Electricity is measured by kilowatt-hour or kWh. One kWh is the amount of energy 1,000 watts consumes in an hour. So, a 100-watt light bulb uses 1 kWh every 10 hours. Natural gas is measured in gigajoules or GJ. One GJ of natural gas could heat enough water for 150 bathtubs!

But your consumption influences more than just your monthly energy charges. Parts of your delivery charges are tied to how much energy you use each month. Decreasing the amount of energy you consume will have a positive impact on many areas of your bill.

Winter Energy Bills

Albertans are no stranger to cold, long winters. The reality is, more natural gas and electricity is required during the winter months to stay warm and keep our homes comfortable. Here is a look into why your energy bills increase during colder months:

• Demand: The average home uses more energy at peak times. As the temperature dips, furnaces are being turned on for longer and demand for natural gas increases.  
  
  
• Supply: Cold weather, wind and unplanned outages can impact supply at any given time.
  
  
• Fluctuating commodity prices: At any given time, the price of natural gas is determined by market forces that continually change. Typically during winter, the price of natural gas increases, driving energy bills up.
  
  
• Federal Fuel Charge: Effective April 1, 2025, the Federal Carbon Tax will be $0. Customers should expect to see the change applied to their bill going forward. Carbon-related charges will still be applied to customer bills for natural gas consumption prior to April 1. For additional details related to this change, please refer to this Government website. We are working closely with industry partners and energy retailers to ensure a smooth transition. We appreciate your patience as we navigate this.