Encor Energy Plan Options
Encor is a new retail product from Edmonton-based EPCOR. How do Encor offers compare with offers from other competitive energy retailers in Alberta? Find out here.
Please note that the 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 amounts are based on the average Albertan household consumption of 7200 kWh per year.
Note: last updated July 2015
What Encor by EPCOR Offers
Encor offers:
- Both electricity and gas options
- You can cancel at any time (with 15 days' notice) with no fees
- Possibility to switch between fixed and floating prices
- $25 offered on all 5 year contracts
Encor Electricity Plans
Encor offers three fixed rate options for power at differing lengths.
Two Year Guaranteed Rate
| Monthly Prices | |
|---|---|
| Electricity Rate | 6.49 ¢/kWh |
| Monthly Administration Fee | $7.00 |
| Annual Costs | |
| Annual Cost (for 7200 kWh) | $467.28 |
| Annual Cost of Monthly Administration Fee | $84.00 |
| Total Cost Per Year (Electricity Cost + Administration Fees) | $551.28 |
Three to Five Year Guaranteed Rate
| Monthly Prices | |
|---|---|
| Electricity Rate | 6.99¢ /kWh |
| Monthly Administration Fee | $7.00 |
| Annual Costs | |
| Annual Cost (for 8000 kWh) | $503.28 |
| Annual Cost of Monthly Administration Fee | $84.00 |
| Total Annual Cost (Electricity Cost + Monthly Administration Fee) | $587.28 |
Encor Gas Rates
Encor offers fixed and floating rates for natural gas. If you are not sure about what type of rate is right for you, you might want to check out our comparison article, Should I Choose Fixed or Floating Prices for my Natural Gas Supply in Alberta?
Fixed Gas
Encor offers natural gas supply options for two, three, and five years. Encor's rate for three and five year terms is the same ($5.99/GJ).
| Monthly Prices | |
|---|---|
| Gas Rate | $5.49 |
| Monthly Administration Fee | $7.00 |
| Annual Costs | |
| Annual Cost (for 120 GJ) | $658.80 |
| Annual Cost of Monthly Administration Fee | $84.00 |
| Total Annual Cost (Electricity Cost + Administration Fees) | $742.80 |
| Monthly Prices | |
|---|---|
| Gas Rate | $5.99 |
| Monthly Administration Fee | $7.00 |
| Annual Costs | |
| Annual Cost (for 120 GJ) | $838.60 |
| Annual Cost of Monthly Administration Fee | $84.00 |
| Total Annual Cost (Electricity Cost + Administration Fees) | $802.80 |
Floating Gas Rates
Encor offers floating natural gas prices for two, three, & five year contract terms.
| Monthly Prices | |
|---|---|
| Gas Rate | Variable price + $1 per GJ |
| Monthly Administration Fee | $7.00 |
| Annual Costs | |
| Annual Cost* (for 120 GJ) | $559.20 |
| Annual Cost of Monthly Administration Fee | $84.00 |
| Total Annual Cost (Electricity Cost + Monthly Administration Fee) | $643.20 |
*Annual cost based on historical April 2014 - February 2015 natural gas rates, which were an average of $4.66/GJ (including transaction fee). Rates may vary slightly by region (usually by no more than 1¢/GJ )
Encor Dual Fuel
Encor does not offer a specific dual fuel option. However, customers can sign up for both electricity and natural gas so that their energy costs are on the same bill.
Green Energy Options
Encor launched a green energy product called Chirp in June, 2015. This option allows you to green your power and/or gas consumption (or a portion of it). When you sign up for Chirp, renewable energy certificates (REC) from two Canadian renewable energy plants are purchased and retired on your behalf (find out how REC work). In return, you pay a small premium for your energy supply (up to 2¢/kWh for power, and up to $1/GJ for natural gas). Chirp is currently offered as a two year plan, though customers can leave earlier without having to pay termination fees.
Our Take on Encor's Offers
In terms of energy rates, the options presented by Encor are very similar to what is offered by other major competitive energy retailers in Alberta (Direct Energy, Just Energy and ENMAX). During Encor's first year, the company offered a 2-year rate that was considerably lower than the other Big 4, but with recent changes in power prices over the summer of 2015, Encor's rates are pretty comparative to their larger competitors. However, their administration fees are towards the lower end of the range of administration fees charged by Alberta energy retailers, making the retailer a solid option for those who are interested in finding the best price for their energy. Encor also offers you the option of greening your energy consumption, which among the four larger retailers in Alberta is only also offered by Just Energy.
If you are interested in purchasing energy from Encor, we recommend choosing a dual fuel option consisting of the the Two Year Guaranteed Power Rate, which is still their lowest fixed rate for electricity offer, and the floating natural gas price, which is more likely to be cheaper than choosing a fixed rate for gas. Customers interested in green energy might also want to check out Chirp, Encor's green option, which supports Albertan and Canadian renewable energy projects. However, if you are interested in purchasing electricity only, we recommend looking at the offers by some of the smaller energy suppliers, who generally offer lower rates for two year terms.
Signing Up With Encor
If you are interested in signing up with Encor, we recommend that you check out our article on Your Account With EPCOR - Encor, as well as taking a brief look at customer reviews for Epcor.