direct energy vs easy max vs other provider

[Teh_Bandwagoner]

Or just apply the savings monthly so that you can just set it and forget it.

[killer_carlson]

we're looking at changing who we are with. Currently there is a promo to lock in your rate at 8 cents per kilowatt hour for 5 years.

I'm debating the numbers and whatnot, but with all the various CP knowledge, I'm curious what people here are doing.

[Julio]

Enmax for us both for gas and electricity. Direct Energy has in the past been kind of shady, having people door to door selling when the industry first deregulated for example. And if you are in Calgary, any profits that the company makes goes back to help down property taxes a bit.

[Ducay]

EasyMax is a no brainer.

Go check the AB utilities website and their prices for both are usually below direct Energy; plus you get $100 off each year for nothing.

5 year locked in elec rates @ 8c is awesome, plus being able to swap to floating rate anytime is the icing on the cake. Who else lets you lock in at 8c AFTER they've announced the floating is higher?

[ken0042]

Merged the threads.

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by Teh_Bandwagoner

Direct Energy is a rip-off. Their administration fees are through the roof. They're not even based in Canada.

I switched my gas over from DE to EasyMax a couple months ago, and have probably saved myself a cool $40/month so far, including the $100/year rebate they offer, which can be applied monthly to your bill. I even got a $64 rebate from DE for some reason after switching to EasyMax, of which Enmax did all the paperwork. I didn't even expect that!

Sign up for EasyMax, cast away DE, and take a hot shower to cleanse yourself of their stench. Then spend the money you saved on booze. Then all will be well in the world.

How easy is it to switch over? I don't mind cleansing off the stench.

[ken0042]

If you have a copy of your bills in front of you; it's a 5-10 minute phone call. Most of that time you are listening to the CSR type away. Having your bills gives you the unique identifiers for your gas meter, etc.

[Rathji]

I am not on Enmax, because they really handled a billing situation *very* badly with us and it infuriated me to the point of switching. I did vote for them in the poll though, so maybe that means I am calmed down about it enough now, and should consider switching back.

[4X4]

Go for Easymax. Definitely more advantages than disadvantages...

Advantages:

- cheaper or the same price
- all your utilities on one bill
- Enmax is owned by the City of Calgary

Disadvantages:

- the MF computer that answers the phone when you call Enmax. By far the most FRUSTRATING computer phone answerer in the history of the universe.

[Double_Dion]

I just signed up with E. NRG for 1 year at 6.5¢/kWh. I can cancel any time without penalty. I looked over the regulated prices from the last 7 years, and ~75% of the time is was at or above this price... A no-brainer for me.

As for gas, I went with DE, regulated rate. Again, over the past few years the price of gas has been much lower than the contract rates.

Have a look for yourselves:
http://www.ucahelps.alberta.ca/historic-rates.aspx

[FlameOn]

Originally Posted by ken0042

If you have a copy of your bills in front of you; it's a 5-10 minute phone call. Most of that time you are listening to the CSR type away. Having your bills gives you the unique identifiers for your gas meter, etc.

So is it just a matter of calling DE for your gas meter number, telling them you're switching to enmax and then calling enmax to start up your service? Or is there something more involved I'd have to do on my end.

When I was setting up my bill initially I really wanted to go all enmax, but the enmax CSR told me I had to go DE the first time for the initial hookup for some reason

[ken0042]

That is weird. No, I just called Enmax, gave them numbers from my DE bill, and about a month later I was switched over.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by FlameOn

So is it just a matter of calling DE for your gas meter number, telling them you're switching to enmax and then calling enmax to start up your service? Or is there something more involved I'd have to do on my end.

When I was setting up my bill initially I really wanted to go all enmax, but the enmax CSR told me I had to go DE the first time for the initial hookup for some reason

You can switch to Enmax online. You just need a copy of your DE bill which has your "site ID" on it so they know which meter to bill you for.

https://www.enmax.com/easymax/reside...gnup/step1.htm

I signed up for easymax when my last bill had 12 cent electricity on it, and it took <5 minutes online (so no waiting on hold/calling during business hours)

[Stranger]

Enmax all the way. I would never recommend DE.

[GoinAllTheWay]

I just switched to Enmax for Alberta Engery & Savings LP. Siging with Alb E &S LP was the worst choice I ever made. Locked in for 5 yrs, everything was more expensive. I live in a townhouse with only 2 exterior walls and had bills in the winter time near the $500 mark.

Switched to Enmax as soon as the cancellation fee became reasonable and haven't looked back since.

[Crazy Flamer]

People seem to think there are only two options out there: Enmax or Direct Energy.

Try checking out a company like Vector Energy. Their fixed rate is 6.5 cents/Kwh and if you want to stay on their floating rate, it too has been consistently lower than the Enmax floating rate. Both options allow you to cancel without penalty.

No, you won't be able to bundle your bills, but staying on the floating gas rate with Direct Energy is the better option price wise. Yes, EasyMax will give you a yearly credit of $100. But you pay that back and then some because the EasyMax floating rate for gas is higher than the DE floating rate.

[FlameOn]

Well signed up for easymax now. Lets see what my next month's bill is going to be like! Hopefully I can get faster internet for the price difference and savings

[red sky]

I'll be switching to Easymax as well once I get my new bill from DE. Should be soon hopefully. Have debated this for a while but it seems like the best choice.

[Ben_in_Canada]

When I was setting up my bill initially I really wanted to go all enmax, but the enmax CSR told me I had to go DE the first time for the initial hookup for some reason[/QUOTE]

You have to go through DE initially as they own all the pipes or something.

[killer_carlson]

Thanks. This saved me a tonne of time and gives me yet another example to my skeptical spouse that CP is the source of endless valuable information.