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A guide to help review your high bill

We get it - you don't always take a close look at your utility bill until something changes on it. We've taken your calls, heard your questions, and put together a list with steps you can take to help you determine why your bill may have changed, some common reasons, and some useful tips.​​

The main causes of a higher bill

When you are wondering why your bill amount may have changed, check the details of new charges section fo​und on page 2 of your bill. Following are the first four items to review if you receive a higher than usual bill.​

​Services included: ​Reviewing the services on your bill can help determine where your focus needs to be. Is one service such as power causing an increase, or are there increases in other services, such as water, causing the bill to increase overall? ​For customers also receiving Water, Waste and Drainage charges on their bill, electricity charges usually form 15% to 25% of the customer's total bill.
​Billing period: ​​​Billing periods are typically between 26-35 days. If the billing period on the bill is for a longer period of time, the charges for consumption could be higher to reflect the number of days in the billing period.
​Your consumption: ​Compare the current consumption with previous months or years to help determine if there are seasonal changes causing increases year over year or during periods with similar conditions (i.e. extreme weather). Learn how to determine if your consumption is high.​
Rates:​
 ​​If the billing period and consumption are similar to previous months, compare the rates from previous months. If you are on the Regulated Rate Option​, an increase in rates may be the main reason for the increase.
Customers are free to purchase natural gas services or electricity services from a retailer of their choice. For a list of retailers, visit ucahelps.alberta.ca or call 310-4822 (toll free in Alberta).​​​​​
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Albertans who have not signed a contract with a retailer are on the regulated rate option (RRO) for electricity, and these RRO rates have seen monthly fluctuations and increases this past year due to market forces. This price volatility is affecting all energy providers in the province and is expected to continue into 2023.

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A few other common causes of a higher than usual bill

Overlaps in billing: Wh​en you move you may be billing for two locations at the same time due to an overlap in possession date. For example, if you remain as the owner of home A until June 30, but take possession of home B on June 15, you’d have an overlap for 15 days, which could lead to a higher bill for that period.
Timing of your payment:
 If you’ve made a payment to your account after the due date it may not be reflected on the following bill. If the payment is processed after the next bill is printed that payment will not be reflected in your current amount owing.
​Deposits:
 ​Deposits are automatically assessed at the time of starting services or when you move services. We may require a deposit or increase an existing deposit as per our terms and conditions. Learn more about deposits.
Delivery charge vs electricity charges:
 The En​ergy Charge only forms 40% to 50% of an average customer's energy costs. The balance of your electricity bill is the cost to deliver electricity to your home. This cost is applicable whether you are on the RRO or a competitive contract and depends on how much electricity you consume.
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Tips to determine high consumption on your bill

  1. Compare the current consumption with previous months or years to help determine if there are seasonal changes that are causing increases year over year or during periods with similar conditions (i.e. extreme weather).
  2. Break your usage down to daily average (usag​e divided by the number of days in billing period). This can help you compare your historical daily average.
  3. Record your daily meter readings to see how the most recent consumption compares to the high con​sumption period.​
Find your billing period (in red) and your energy consumption / energy used (in blue) on your EPCOR bill.​

Understanding your consumption 

Asking yourself these questions can help you identify why your consumption may have changed. 

  • Are there any additional people living in your home?
  • Do you have any new appliances or have your usage habits changed during the billing period outlined on your bill? 
  • Have you been doing any renovations, construction, or improvements requiring power tools or other sources of electricity? 
  • During seasonal periods, did you have any extra heating (i.e. space heater), plugged cars in overnight, have heated flooring, or heated driveways? During hot periods have you used any extra air conditioning or fans?
  • Were you away and was someone taking care of your home or pets in your absence? Was something left on during this time?​​

 

Billing support

EPCOR will work with you if you are having trouble paying your bills and need support or to find resolution.

Billing support

 

Conservation tips

Learn how to reduce your consumption and conserve energy and water inside or outside your home.

Ways to conserve ​

 

How to pay your bill

Find the payment method​ that works best for you to keep your account up to date.​​

Ways to pay your bill​​

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Customers are free to purchase natural gas services or electricity services from a retailer of their choice. For a list of retailers, visit ucahelps.alberta.ca or call 310-4822 (toll free in Alberta).

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