I hate Direct Energy! (Rant)

[Crazy Flamer]

Originally Posted by ruddstud

thanks so much! How much do you think I will save per month with average usage and house size of 2000 sq ft?

Well that depends on your usage, but we are heading into months where people will start using more natural gas.

But just to give you an idea, I the Easymax floating gas rate was about $3.25/GJ for the last two months. Had you been on it you would have saved well over 60%.

[Crazy Flamer]

Originally Posted by arsenal

With easymax, you can switch from fixed, variable floating etc anytime you like. But you can only do it once every 30 days.

As far as if you should switch. That's really up to you. Right now, all the floating / variable rates are much lower than the fixed rates. So if you switched to those, you would save some money. IIRC there is some lag time when you switch. But I could be wrong.

Once you start seeing electricity and natural gas prices rising, you probably should look into switching back to fixed rates.

Call ENMAX Customer Care to verify, but I think if you switch from fixed, to floating/variable, and back to fixed, your term starts all over again.

Actually, the changes come into effect the next day.

As for renewing your term when you switch from fixed to floating then back to fixed, you are right, it does renew. But keep in mind there are still no cancellation fees. All that's ever required to get out of EasyMax is 30 days notice.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Crazy Flamer

Actually, the changes come into effect the next day.

As for renewing your term when you switch from fixed to floating then back to fixed, you are right, it does renew. But keep in mind there are still no cancellation fees. All that's ever required to get out of EasyMax is 30 days notice.

Really? The term is extended? That's awesome then. I'm on a 7C rate plan for electricity.

[yads]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Really? The term is extended? That's awesome then. I'm on a 7C rate plan for electricity.

When you renew you'll get whatever plan they are offering at this point. You're not grandfathered in for 7c indefinitely. In fact when you switch they'll make you give up your 7c rate.

[You Need a Thneed]

^ Yup, you can only switch to whatever the current rate is. You can't switch back to an old rate that you had before.

If you were on a fixed rate, you could switch to a new fixed rate if it was lower at the time.

[Shazam]

Oh well. I'll just stick to my 7 cents then.

[Crazy Flamer]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Really? The term is extended? That's awesome then. I'm on a 7C rate plan for electricity.

They term would be extended, but at the current EasyMax offer of 8 cents

[zarrell]

Variable rate > Fixed rate 99.99% of the time. This applies to mortgages, energy prices, etc.

The one thing I just have to laugh at though, is the $4.15 worth of gas I used last month and yet my gas bill is over $30.

[Deegee]

I hate Direct Energy. They supply electricity where I live and I pay $58 in fees and other garbage before I even see what I actually owe for USING electricity.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Oh well. I'll just stick to my 7 cents then.

Just look at both rates before you decide. Assuming you are using a tonne of electricity you will be using 1000 kwh of power per month. (Quite likely less.) Paying 8¢ instead of 7¢ will cost you an extra $10. But if your gas rate is around $10 and the going rate is < $4, you will pay an extra $12 for a non-furnace using month; and a lot more during the cold months.

Another vote here for EasyMax. Switched last fall and after carefully looking at my bills I pay $5 less in admin fees compared to Direct Energy. Add in the $100 per year and it's a good deal for me.

[Knalus]

After reading this thread, it got me thinking of my Mother-in-law's situation, and we were finally able to get her off the contract - she was told that the cancellation fee was $10,000, but it turns out it was only ~$200, so she's back to saving money (she's a widow that isn't used to dealing with bills). Thanks for the advice, CP!

[yads]

Originally Posted by zarrell

Variable rate > Fixed rate 99.99% of the time. This applies to mortgages, energy prices, etc.

The one thing I just have to laugh at though, is the $4.15 worth of gas I used last month and yet my gas bill is over $30.

Well when I signed up for 7 c/KWh in summer of 07, I've saved money every month up until this one.

[Art Vandelay]

Originally Posted by zarrell

Variable rate > Fixed rate 99.99% of the time. This applies to mortgages, energy prices, etc.

The one thing I just have to laugh at though, is the $4.15 worth of gas I used last month and yet my gas bill is over $30.

I hear ya. I used no gas for the past 2 bills (our hot water is electric) and still the bills were $30-$40 for for the delivery of gas that I never used.

[Stranger]

Sorry for bumping an old thread. I've had it with Direct Energy. The next afternoon I have free I'm going to look into switching to Enmax. I should probably contact Enmax first to get the lowdown on their prices? Then do I just call DE and tell them I'm making the switch? Is it still best to be on the floating plans?

I have a contract with DE, but I think the penalty to get out of it is worth it. I pay the same rate each month through summer and winter and it just went up from $322 to $458 per month.

[Stranger]

Just bumping the thread to see if anyone can help me out?

[JustAnotherGuy]

Originally Posted by Stranger

Just bumping the thread to see if anyone can help me out?

Help you out how? Do you want someone here to make the phone call for you? Make some calls and find out your options.

[Methanolic]

Originally Posted by Stranger

I have a contract with DE, but I think the penalty to get out of it is worth it. I pay the same rate each month through summer and winter and it just went up from $322 to $458 per month.

I've been with enmax for about 3 yrs. We did the locked in rate thing. I'm paying around $275 per month avg. My Natural gas is around $35 May-Sept. and roughly $50 Nov-Apr.

IIRC, I believe you said you have elec. heat, if so, your Gas bill should be quite low, but the electricty isn't cheap and neither is the water/drainage. These two utilities together make up about 75% of my Monthly bill (elec. 35% Water 40%)

Also, regarding Gas consumption, There are 4 of us living in my place (lots of showers, Laundry, Dishes, that require hot water) and I have a Nat. Gas BBQ that is used very frequently, so we consume a lot of Natural Gas and it is still by far the least expensive portion of our bill.

My advice, call Enmax and explain your dilema. I'm sure they'd be more than happy to offer any info to assist you in making the switch.

FYI, I'm guessing you will probably pay less with enmax, but be warned, You'll soon grow to despise Enamx too. And you'll need a rosetta stone if you want to decipher the bill when it arrives!!

BTW: My jaw dropped when I saw your monthly charge....$458 !......

..... I'm guessing you live in a 5000 sq ft house?

[ken0042]

Just call Enmax, and have both your Enamx bill and your D/E bill in front of you. They will take care of the rest.

I switched about a year ago. I found Enmax's fees to be about $5 per month cheaper, and now I hae $100 credit saved up that I will use once it gets cold out.

[dingdong]

not sure if this well help at all but if you feel that you have been mislead; you can file a complaint with Alberta Government Services as they regulate the door-to-door sales people. contact the DE call centre and file a complaint as well. the gas marget is SO low right now that it will only take a few months to make your $$ back assuming DE charges some type of "exit fee". market rates are like $5 vs. 12 bucks. sign up for easymax enmax as they have the lowest rates and a 30 day out clause.

pm me if you have other questions.

Originally Posted by Stranger

Just bumping the thread to see if anyone can help me out?

[Stranger]

I just called and made the switch. I was locked in at $9.99 for gas and 11.25 cents for electricity with Direct Energy. Enmax Easymax floating rates were $4.62 for gas and 6.76 cents for electricity, plus my $100 a year. So basically half price. My penalties were $420 to get out of my DE contract. Good riddance DE.