Enmax or Direct Energy? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Frequitude · 09-12-2006, 03:12 PM

I'm moving into my new place this month and it's in a townhome complex. Water is included in the condo fees, but gas and electricity are not.

Who do you recommend I get my gas and electricity from: Enmax or Direct Energy?

CrusaderPi · 09-12-2006, 03:30 PM

I switched from Direct Energy to Enmax. But I'd call both companies (and

Epcor, if available) and ask for their best rates / offer.

Find out about how much power and gas you'll use every month from a neighbour, condo board, or management company first.

ken0042 · 09-12-2006, 03:56 PM

The one thing I would recommend is not to get hung up as much in the costs per KW/h or Gigajoule. While these are still factors of course; they end up representing less than 50% of your bill. I believe Enmax has no fewer than 11 line items for my electric bill, and only one of those is electricity used.

When D/E took over billing from Atco they added an additional $5 administration fee. Good to see I pay more for the privilage of sending my payment to a different compnay.

Also when I called Enmax about the Easy Max program last year and asked them what they charge for gas; I was unable to get an answer as to what fees they charge; the only thing the CSR was brainwashed to say was "you only pay the gov't regulated rate for gas."

FurnaceFace · 09-12-2006, 04:24 PM

For what it's worth, my better half works in the electrical industry and announced last week she was going to move us over to EasyMax for the fixed contract rate. The info I have is the main line between us and BC, the one that got zapped when we had the big power outages weeks ago, will be out of commission for quite a while due to the remote location so power rates are likely headed up..or have already. I'm also more interested in supporting ENMAX as the money goes back into the city instead of a private company.

I-Hate-Hulse · 09-12-2006, 05:23 PM

I signed up with EasyMax. While I don't believe in fixed contracts and the like, the $100 savings a year (or whatever) from combining the bills is good enough for me. That and the same reasons as FurnaceFace above.

Shazam · 09-12-2006, 05:46 PM

I picked Enmax because I like my Ens to the MAX!!

sicsun · 09-12-2006, 05:51 PM

i dont think direct energy does electric,i know cause i try it before.only gas.

ken0042 · 09-12-2006, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sicsun

i dont think direct energy does electric,i know cause i try it before.only gas.

They indeed do both.
http://www.directenergy.com/alberta/home_essential/

Flames in 07 · 09-12-2006, 07:23 PM

I don't think it matters too much, the prices will be about the same with both .. who knows, maybe cust. service is better at one vs the other but from a price perspective it probably doesn't matter. One thing I'd suggest is NEVER contract for a term at a fixed price. You will lose and be on the wrong side of that deal more often than not ... that's why they offer it in the first place.

Frequitude · 09-12-2006, 09:27 PM

Sounds like Enmax is the supplier of choice. I was pretty sure they'd have similar prices, just wanted to hear of any specifics...

Skyceman · 09-12-2006, 10:47 PM

I've been very happy switching to Easymax.

Cheese · 09-13-2006, 07:58 AM

Shop here for your prices

Crazy Flamer · 09-13-2006, 10:19 AM

The price difference between Enmax and DE is significant. With DE, you can sign a 5 year contract for electricity at 8.79 cents/Kwh and $10.89/GJ for gas.

With Enmax you can get an electricity rate of 7.0 cents/Kwh, a difference of about 20%. Enmax doesn't fix gas but it is expected that gas prices will drop off. In my opinion, sigining in at $10.89 for gas is high, too high. Plus with Enmax, if you ever need to cancel your contract, you can and you won't pay any termination fees. You will with DE.

pepper24 · 09-13-2006, 12:57 PM

Direct Energy sucks.

Also, Enmax is Calgarian/Canadian based.

Frequitude · 09-14-2006, 10:50 AM

I'm going with the EasyMax program. I like $100.

What are people's thoughts on the different Electricity Rate options: Market, 1 year fixed @ 7.5%, 5 year fixed @ 7%?

mykalberta · 09-14-2006, 11:18 AM

Does anyone know if EasyMax (electricity only) is available for Condo owners or if they have a similar program?

Thanks.

MYK

Crazy Flamer · 09-14-2006, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frequitude

I'm going with the EasyMax program. I like $100.

What are people's thoughts on the different Electricity Rate options: Market, 1 year fixed @ 7.5%, 5 year fixed @ 7%?

Go with the 5 year fixed rate. Its the lowest, and you can cancel it at anytime without penalty.

Crazy Flamer · 09-14-2006, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Does anyone know if EasyMax (electricity only) is available for Condo owners or if they have a similar program?

Thanks.

MYK

Yes I believe it is, but only the 5 year fixed rate. But that's the rate I would take anyways, its about 12% lower than what you are currently paying. Just make sure to sign up before Spet 30, as the fixed price expires on that day.

FurnaceFace · 09-14-2006, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy Flamer

The price difference between Enmax and DE is significant. With DE, you can sign a 5 year contract for electricity at 8.79 cents/Kwh and $10.89/GJ for gas.

With Enmax you can get an electricity rate of 7.0 cents/Kwh, a difference of about 20%. Enmax doesn't fix gas but it is expected that gas prices will drop off. In my opinion, sigining in at $10.89 for gas is high, too high. Plus with Enmax, if you ever need to cancel your contract, you can and you won't pay any termination fees. You will with DE.

My better half took our bills for for the last year for power and gas and figured out the average rate for power was I believe in the 6c/Kwh area and gas was well below $10.89. As I said above, the expectation is the cost of power will rise so the 7c rate an ENMAX is predicted to be a decent price. The $100 rebate from EasyMax pays for quite a few hours of power which would drop your rate a little too. Recall also at a certain level you get a gas rebate.

Frequitude · 09-14-2006, 03:59 PM

So I just signed up for the Easymax program. The guy told me that I can switch to any other rate they offer, once every 30 days. I can also cancel at any time penalty free.

Answer me this then:
Why would anyone ever signup for the 7.5cents/kwh for 1 year when they could just go for 1 year of the 5 year plan @ 7cents/kwh? Make sense?

I specifically asked the guy, "why would anyone ever take 7.5cents when they could just take the 7cents and switch whenever they want?" He said "I have no idea".

I'm not sure what I'm locking in here for 5 years if I can switch to any rate they offer once every 30 days.