Do you really know what's included in your energy bill? Most Albertans pay their utility bills without understanding how they were calculated. If you are concerned about your utility rates, you might want to take a closer look at your power bill.
How do I read my utility bill?
Reading your utility bill can be a little confusing if you're not quite sure what you're looking at. In this article, we will explore the charges that you'll find on your bill. Having a good understanding of the charges and fees on your power bill can help protect you from being overcharged. If you are shopping around for the best rate, you'll need to know how to spot a bad deal.
There are two main charges that make up your energy bill:
- The cost of energy consumed
- The cost of delivering energy
The cost of energy consumed is based on the amount of the commodity actually used. Our margin on electricity is $0.01/KWh and $0.89/GJ for natural gas.
Why is there a delivery charge for energy?
No, it's not to pay the driver so there's no need to tip. The delivery charge that you see on your bill covers the upkeep cost of the infrastructure that is used to deliver the energy to your home. The delivery charge is regulated by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC). For electricity, this includes power lines and transformers, and for natural gas, this includes pipes and compressor stations.
Why should you read your utility bill?
Not only will reading your utility bill help you find the best energy rates, but you'll be able to track your energy if you're trying to make your home more energy-efficient. For tips and tricks on how to improve your home's energy efficiency, check out our home energy efficiency resources on our blog. Tracking your energy usage throughout the year can also help you plan your budget if you are on a variable-rate plan.
What should I expect to see on my utility bill from Peace Power?
Your utility bill is available through the "my account" customer log-in portal on the Peace Power website. All of your invoices are stored on the PowerBill platform for easy access. You'll also be able to see the current rates for electricity and natural gas in Alberta directly on the platform.
At the top of the page, you can find your invoice number. This number is used to reference a specific bill in question. If you have issues with a bill, please provide the invoice number to our customer support team and we can instantly look up the bill in question.
Underneath the invoice number, you'll find the contact information for our customer care team. You can reach our customer care team over the phone at 1-855-780-9964 or by email at customercare@peacepower.ca to get assistance.
Where can I find my account number?
You can find your account information on the first page of your bill. This section includes your personal information, like your name, address, Account Number, Electricity Site ID Number, and Natural Gas Site ID Number next to the total amount of your invoice.
You will need your account number to pay your bill or to contact support about your bill. You can find your account number on the first page of your bill. Your site ID number is also listed on your bill. If you need to look up your site id number, you can find it here through the Utility Network with your address.
- Site ID Number
- Meter Number
- Account Number
Your current bundle and plans are listed below, most customers sign-up with Peace Power for electricity, natural gas, or home internet but what they don't know is that you can save more on utilities by bundling your services together. For an accurate quote on rates and plans, you can complete the live quote on our website.
Under your current bundle and plans, you will find your monthly bill breakdown with your total fees for services, along with an admin fee and GST. Each individual service has a breakdown of charges that sum to the total listed on the invoice.
What costs make up your electricity charge
Your electricity charge consists of two parts:
- Usage
- Delivery
Your electricity usage is measured by your meter. Your meter number is specific to your location. The usage free accounts for the actual amount of energy you used during the billing piece.
Delivery
- Transmission
- Rider
- Local Access Fee
- Distribution
Transmission and distribution refer to the different stages of carrying electricity over poles and wires from generators to a home or business. A rate rider is a that is used to cover the difference between the estimated and actual cost for delivering energy, and it is approved by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC). The local access fee is a rate set by the municipality for using proper electricity facilities.
What costs make up your natural gas charge?
Your natural gas usage is also measured by your meter.
- Distribution
- Rider
- Local Access Fee
- Carbon Tax
The same fees for distribution, rider, and local access apply to natural gas, the only difference is that natural gas in Alberta comes with a carbon tax to offset the environmental impact of fossil fuels.
Your bill includes a report on your usage history as well so you can keep track of your energy use throughout the year. It's important to note your monthly energy use so you know what to expect on your next bill. Reducing the total amount of energy that you use is the best way to lower your power bill. If you would like to know more about how to reduce the cost of your home energy bill, check out our resources on home energy efficiency. February is one of the coldest months in Alberta, so it is often the month when our customers receive their highest energy bill.
How does Peace Power compare to the competition?
Peace Power has some of the lowest energy rates in Alberta. If you are looking for the best deal from a power company, look no further. We offer floating-rate electricity and natural gas plans with no contract, which means that you pay the market rate for energy plus our low margin and you're never locked into a plan. We make switching utility providers easy at Peace Power, with no interruption of service.
Peace Power is also a locally owned and operated power company. Choosing Peace Power means choosing to keep your money circulating in the Alberta economy.
If you have any questions about a particular invoice that you've received, please contact our customer care team over the phone at 1-855-780-9964 or by email at customercare@peacepower.ca