ENMAX vs. Just Energy
Both ENMAX and Just Energy are within the top three of the biggest competitive energy retailers in Alberta. Which one should you choose?
A word about our methodology:
Please note that all prices listed below are only for the cost of energy supply and administration costs, and do not take into account the costs of energy distribution, transmission or taxes. Total energy costs will be greater than what is listed. Also note that ENMAX's prices vary slightly by location. For references purposes, the prices displayed below are for Calgary.
About ENMAX and Just Energy
ENMAX is Calgary-based and the largest competitive energy retailer in Alberta. ENMAX's primary offer is its EasyMax product, which includes both fixed and floating prices for electricity and gas, plus the option to switch between rates (maximum one price type switch per month). While ENMAX is also a regulated electricity rate provider for customers in Calgary, Cardston, Crowsnest Pass, Fort Macleod, Ponoka, and Red Deer, this article focuses on ENMAX's competitive activities.
Just Energy is one of the largest competitive energy retailers in Alberta and is also active throughout North America. It offers fixed price plans for electricity and gas, as well as green energy options.
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ENMAX vs Just Energy: Compare electricity offers
ENMAX's EasyMax product includes both a fixed (7.79 ¢/kWh) electricity rate and a floating rate option, while Just Energy's offers for electricity are only fixed rates. The administration fees for the two companies are slightly different; ENMAX charges a 23.7¢/day for electricity (about $7.10 per month), while Just Energy charges $6.90 per site per month. The tables below detail the prices you could expect to pay per month and per year based on 8000 kWh yearly consumption, not including distribution & transmission charges, or taxes.
EasyMax Power Only
| EasyMax Fixed Rate | |
|---|---|
| Electricity Rate | 7.79 ¢/kWh |
| Monthly Administration Fee | $7.10 |
| Annual Cost (for 8000 kWh) | $623.20 |
| Annual Cost of Monthly Administration Fee | $85.20 |
| Total Annual Cost (Electricity Cost + Monthly Administration Fee) | $708.40 |
| EasyMax Floating Rate | |
| Electricity Rate | Floating rate + 1 ¢/kWh |
| Monthly Administration Fee | $7.10 |
| Annual Cost* (for 8000 kWh) | $545.60 |
| Annual Cost of Monthly Administration Fee | $85.20 |
| Total Annual Cost (Electricity Cost + Monthly Administration Fee) | $630.80 |
*Annual cost based on historical February 2014 - January 2015 prices for the city of Calgary (6.82 ¢/kWc). Keep in mind that historical prices have no impact on future prices. Rates vary slightly by region (usually by no more than 0.1 ¢/kWh)
Power Options
| Price Protection Electricity Program | |
|---|---|
| Electricity Rate | 8.69¢ per kWh |
| Monthly Administration Fee | $6.90 |
| Annual Costs (12 x monthly costs) | |
| Annual Cost (for 8000 kWh) | $695.20 |
| Annual Cost of Monthly Administration Fee | $82.80 |
| Total Annual Cost (Gas Cost + Monthly Administration Fee) | $778.00 |
| Predict-A-Bill Electricity | |
| Monthly Price (8000 kWh/year maximum) | $64.99 |
| Monthly Administration Fee | $6.90 |
| Annual Costs (12 x monthly costs) | |
| Annual Cost (for 8000 kWh) | $779.88 |
| Annual Cost of Monthly Administration Fee | $82.80 |
| Total Annual Cost (Electricity Cost + Monthly Administration Fee) | $862.68 |
Our Take
When looking at prices, ENMAX's EasyMax is the clear winner, offering the lowest costs for power supply for both fixed and floating prices. In line with our recommendations about fixed and floating rates, choosing the EasyMax floating rate over the year 2014/2015 would have saved a customer using 8000 kWh electricity per year almost $80 compared with the next best option, ENMAX's EasyMax fixed rate. At almost 1¢/kWh more expensive than the EasyMax fixed rate, Just Energy's Price Protection offer for electricity is not competitive with ENMAX's EasyMax rate. Even customers who consume even small amounts of electricity (e.g. 1000 kWh years or less) will pay less for their electricity + administration charges with the ENMAX EasyMax option than they would on Just Energy's Price Protection. For customers who are looking for a long-term (five year) contract we recommend ENMAX's EasyMax rate, which - unlike Just Energy - does not include early exit fees, and allows customers the option of switching rates when they wish (maximum one switch per month).
ENMAX vs Just Energy: Compare gas offers
ENMAX's EasyMax has one fixed rate option and one floating price, and charges about $7.10 per month in administration fees. Customers have the option of switching between floating and fixed rates whenever they wish (maximum one switch per month). EasyMax contracts are for a maximum of five years, but can be cancelled with one month's notice.
Just Energy offers two types of fixed-rate options for gas. Its Price Protection plan is a fixed rate for gas ($5.99/GJ)
EasyMax Gas Only
| Monthly Prices | |
|---|---|
| Gas Rate | $5.99 |
| Monthly Administration Fee | $7.10 |
| Annual Costs | |
| Annual Cost (for 140 GJ) | $838.60 |
| Annual Cost of Monthly Administration Fee | $85.20 |
| Total Annual Cost (Electricity Cost + Administration Fees) | $923.80 |
| EasyMax Gas Only - Floating Price | |
| Gas Rate | Variable price + 99¢ per GJ |
| Monthly Administration Fee | $7.10 |
| Annual Costs | |
| Annual Cost* (for 140 GJ) | $730.80 |
| Annual Cost of Monthly Administration Fee | $85.20 |
| Total Annual Cost (Electricity Cost + Monthly Administration Fee) | $816.00 |
*Annual cost based on historical February 2014 - January 2015 natural gas rates for the city of Calgary, which were an average of $5.22/GJ (including transaction fee). Rates vary slightly by region (usually by no more than 1 ¢/GJ )
Offers
| Price Protection Natural Gas Program | |
|---|---|
| Gas Rate | $5.99 per GJ |
| Monthly Administration Fee | $6.90 |
| Annual Costs (12 x monthly costs) | |
| Annual Cost (for 140 GJ) | $838.60 |
| Annual Cost of Monthly Administration Fee | $82.80 |
| Total Annual Cost (Gas Cost + Monthly Administration Fee) | $921.40 |
| Predict-A-Bill Gas | |
| Monthly Price (140/GJ per year maximum) | $54.99 |
| Monthly Administration Fee | $6.90 |
| Annual Costs (12 x monthly costs) | |
| Annual Cost | $659.88 |
| Annual Cost of Monthly Administration Fee | $82.80 |
| Total Annual Cost (Gas Cost + Monthly Administration Fee) | $742.68 |
Our Take
Here it is Just Energy's Predict-A-Bill that proves the winner amongst the fixed and floating prices for natural gas offered by the two companies. However, the Just Energy Predict-A-Bill is most attractive for customers who consume close to 140 GJ in gas per year (in the Predict-A-Bill plan, customers pay the same monthly fee regardless of their consumption, provided it doesn't go over 140 GJ per year). Customers who consume considerably less than 140 GJ per year would be better off with the EasyMax floating rate. Also, in general we do not recommend choosing a fixed rate for natural gas over the long term, as natural gas prices recently have been quite low and are not expected to rise considerably in the future.
vs : Which Should You Choose?
In general we recommend a floating rate, for both electricity and gas, as both electricity and gas prices have recently been quite low and are not expected to rise rapidly in the near future (unless you can lock in a particularly low fixed rate). Here ENMAX's floating EasyMax rates are solid options for both electricity and gas. However, Just Energy's Predict-A-Bill Gas appears to be a good option for those who use larger amounts of natural gas (120 GJ - 140 GJ per year).
As prices are just one factor in comparing energy suppliers, you might also want to compare customer reviews for Encor by EPCOR and ENMAX before making your final decision.
Still Unsure?
Check out some of our handy information about energy price options and choosing your supplier:
Fixed or Floating Electricity Prices?
Fixed or Floating Gas Prices?
Choosing an Energy Retailer: Top Tips
Comparing Energy Retailers