Moving to a new place always involves dozens of organizational issues, but among all the tasks, connecting utilities stands out as one of the most important. After all, even the best apartment or house without electricity, water, and heating is uninhabitable. For Ukrainians who are just beginning to adapt to life in Edmonton, understanding the utility system can seem like a daunting task, especially given the significant differences from the familiar Ukrainian model. This article will explain in detail how the utility system in Edmonton works, how to properly connect electricity and water, how much it costs, and what to look out for to avoid common mistakes.
Alberta's unique utility structure
Before moving on to the practical steps of connecting, it is important to understand a fundamental feature of the utility system in the province of Alberta. Unlike many other Canadian provinces and Ukraine, Alberta has a deregulated energy market. This means that consumers have a certain amount of freedom of choice, but at the same time are responsible for making informed decisions about suppliers and tariffs.
A key feature of a deregulated market is the clear separation of functions between two types of companies. The first type is distribution companies or wire providers. They own and maintain the physical infrastructure: power lines, transformer substations, gas pipelines, meters, and the entire system that delivers energy to your home. These companies respond to accidents, repair equipment, and perform network maintenance. Consumers cannot choose their distribution company at will — it is determined solely by the geographical location of your home. In Edmonton, the electrical networks are serviced by EPCOR Distribution & Transmission, and the gas networks by ATCO Gas.
The second type of company is retail energy suppliers or retailers. They are the ones who actually sell you electricity and natural gas, set rates, bill you, provide customer service, and offer a variety of fixed or variable rate plans. Unlike distribution companies, consumers have complete freedom to choose a retail supplier from the many options available in the Alberta market.
When you receive your monthly electricity or gas bill, it always contains two broad categories of charges. The first is the charge for the energy itself, which you purchase from your retail supplier. The second is the delivery, transmission, and distribution charges, which go to the distribution company for maintaining the networks and physically delivering the energy to your home. This two-part structure explains why your bill has sections titled “Distribution Charge,” “Transmission Charge,” “Energy Charges,” and various administrative fees.
The role of EPCOR in Edmonton
EPCOR occupies a special place in Edmonton's utility infrastructure, and understanding its multifaceted role is critical for all city residents. EPCOR serves in several capacities, which often creates confusion among newcomers.
First, EPCOR Distribution & Transmission is the electricity distribution company for Edmonton and surrounding areas. The company owns the electrical networks, substations, meters, and all the infrastructure that delivers electricity to your home. Regardless of which retail electricity supplier you choose, your electricity will always flow through EPCOR's networks.
Second, EPCOR Energy Alberta offers regulated electricity rates called Rate of Last Resort, or RoLR for short. This company acts as the default supplier for consumers who have not chosen a competitive retail supplier. If you move to a new home and do not actively sign a contract with a competitive company, you will automatically receive electricity from EPCOR at regulated rates, which are periodically set and reviewed by the Alberta Utilities Commission.
Third, Encor by EPCOR is a competitive retail supplier that belongs to the same corporate structure as EPCOR. Encor offers fixed and floating rates for electricity and natural gas, positioning itself as a more flexible and customer-focused alternative to regulated rates. As of January 2026, Encor offers a two-year fixed electricity plan at a rate of 8.63 cents per kilowatt-hour, which is significantly lower than the regulated RoLR rate of 12.01 cents per kilowatt-hour.
Fourth, EPCOR Water Services is the monopoly provider of water, sewer, and drainage services in Edmonton. Unlike electricity and gas, where there is a choice of suppliers, there is no alternative for water—all Edmonton residents receive water exclusively from EPCOR Water Services. The company is responsible for the extraction, treatment, and delivery of drinking water, as well as the collection and treatment of wastewater and storm water.
This multifunctional structure means that most Edmonton residents can receive a consolidated bill from EPCOR that includes water, sewer, drainage, garbage collection, and electricity or gas if they have chosen Encor or a regulated option from EPCOR Energy Alberta. The convenience of a single bill and the ability to manage all utilities through one online portal makes EPCOR and Encor a popular choice among city residents.
Connecting electricity in existing housing
For most people moving into a new home in Edmonton, the situation involves an existing apartment, house, or townhouse where electricity is already connected and only needs to be transferred to their name. This process is relatively simple but requires planning and understanding of a few key points.
When to start the connection process
Timing is critical to a smooth move. The optimal time to start the utility connection process is two to four weeks before your planned move-in date. Although most providers can technically activate services in a few days or even on the same day, starting the process early gives you a buffer in case of unforeseen delays, especially during peak moving seasons, which are May-August and September.
For competitive retail providers, the setup process can take ten to fifteen days after signing a contract, although in some cases it can take up to ninety days depending on the specific situation and the provider's workload. If you are moving on short notice and don't have a month to prepare, you may have to start with regulated supplier EPCOR Energy Alberta, which can set up service almost instantly, and then switch to a competitive plan without penalty if you wish.
A practical timeline looks something like this: Four weeks before you move, research available suppliers and compare rates. Three weeks before, choose a supplier and start the registration process. One to two weeks before, confirm all details and service start dates. On the day you move in, record all meter readings with a photo showing the date to avoid any potential disputes.
Choosing an electricity supplier
One of the most important advantages of Alberta's deregulated market is the ability to choose the supplier and rate plan that best suits your needs and financial situation. The choice is between a regulated default supplier and competitive retail suppliers.
The regulated option, known as the Rate of Last Resort, is provided by EPCOR Energy Alberta for Edmonton. This rate is set by the Alberta Utilities Commission for a two-year period and remains stable during that time. The main advantage of the regulated rate is that there is no long-term contract — you can change suppliers at any time without penalty. As of January 2025 to December 2026, the regulated RoLR rate is 12.01 cents per kilowatt-hour for the EPCOR service area.
Competitive suppliers offer a variety of plans with fixed or floating rates. Fixed plans guarantee a consistent price per kilowatt-hour for the entire term of the contract, which is typically between one and five years. This provides budget predictability and protection from sudden price increases in the energy market. Even when market prices fluctuate up or down, your rate remains the same. Floating or variable plans follow market electricity prices, which change monthly. The supplier adds a fixed margin to the market price, which is their profit. Floating plans offer more flexibility because you are not tied to a long-term contract, but they also expose you to the risk of higher bills during periods of high market prices.
As of January 2026, Encor by EPCOR offers a two-year fixed plan at a rate of 8.63 cents per kilowatt-hour, which is significantly lower than the regulated rate. Direct Energy offers a similar two-year fixed plan at a rate of 8.77 cents per kilowatt-hour. These competitive rates are often more advantageous than the regulated rate, especially for consumers who value stability and are willing to commit to a fixed-term contract.
To effectively compare the available options, it is highly recommended to use the official Cost Comparison Tool from the Utilities Consumer Advocate at ucahelps.alberta.ca. This free tool allows you to enter your address and expected electricity consumption, then shows a comparison of the total expected cost from different suppliers, including not only the rate per kilowatt-hour, but also all administrative fees and delivery costs.
Registration process and required information
Once you have selected a supplier, the registration process usually takes place online through the company's website or by phone through customer service. For EPCOR and Encor, you can register online at epcor.com/start-services or call toll-free 310-4300 within Alberta or 1-800-667-2345 for long-distance calls. Customer service hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and closed on Sundays and holidays.
During registration, you will be asked to provide certain information. The basic set of data includes your full name and surname, date of birth, contact phone number and email address, full residential address with apartment or office number, if applicable, desired start date of service, information about whether you are renting or owning your home, and your preferred payment method.
Most providers also conduct a credit check for new customers. This check helps determine whether a deposit is required and how much it should be. For new Ukrainian immigrants who have just moved to Canada, the lack of a credit history may result in a deposit requirement.
Deposits and how to avoid them
Deposits are one of the most unexpected costs for new utility customers. The deposit can be as high as $300 for electricity, plus separate deposits for water and gas. However, there are several ways to avoid or significantly reduce this deposit.
The most effective way is to sign up for automatic payments from your bank account or credit card. When you set up automatic payments, most providers will waive the deposit entirely or reduce it significantly.
The logic behind this is simple: automatic payments guarantee timely payment and minimize the risk of non-payment, so there is no need for a deposit as a safeguard.
It is important to understand the procedure for setting up automatic payments. When you sign up and agree to automatic payments, your first bill may still include a deposit. However, once automatic debit is set up and confirmed, the deposit should be canceled or returned as a credit to your next bill. If you see a deposit on your first bill but have already set up automatic debit, call your provider to confirm — they will usually tell you to ignore the deposit and pay only the remaining amount.
Even if you initially paid a deposit, it is not lost forever. After twelve months of timely full payments, most suppliers will automatically refund the deposit as a credit to your account or in cash. When you close your account, the deposit is also refunded, provided that all debts have been paid.
The technical side of connection
In most existing apartments and houses, electricity is not physically disconnected between residents. When the previous resident closes their account on a certain date and you open a new account on the same or the following date, there is only an administrative change in responsibility for the bills. The electricity meter continues to operate, and there is usually no physical interruption in service.
This means that your main task is not to “turn on” the electricity in a technical sense, but to transfer the account to your name so that you start receiving bills and paying for consumption from the date of moving in. It is critical to agree with the landlord, seller, or previous occupant on the exact date of the transfer of responsibility and to take a photo of the meter with the readings visible at the time of move-in.
It is recommended to create a small time overlap in service. The best practice is to have the new utilities turned on at your new home one day before you physically move in, and have the old utilities turned off one day after you leave your previous home. This one- to two-day overlap ensures that you will never be left without electricity or water during the move.
Connecting electricity in a new building
If you are moving into a newly built home or a building that has undergone significant renovation, the process becomes much more complicated and time-consuming. In this case, we are talking about a physical connection to the EPCOR Distribution & Transmission electrical grid, which includes design, obtaining permits, and construction work.
The process of connecting to a new electricity supply in Edmonton consists of eight main steps, which are described in detail in the official EPCOR Power Connection Process document. The first step is to make initial contact with EPCOR. You can call 780-412-3128, send an email to [email protected], or fill out an online application at epcor.com/newconnection. EPCOR will assign a project representative who will be your main contact throughout the process.
The second step is to obtain a preliminary proposal and design. EPCOR may request detailed plans—electrical, mechanical, architectural, and landscaping. An on-site meeting may be scheduled to assess the characteristics of the site. EPCOR will determine the service entry point where the company's infrastructure meets the boundary of your property and prepare a preliminary design and estimate. This stage usually takes one to four weeks.
The third stage is accepting the proposal. After receiving and reviewing the estimate, you send a signed agreement and pay the agreed amount so that EPCOR can begin the detailed design.
The fourth stage is the completion of the detailed design by EPCOR. At this stage, you will need to provide an electronic copy of the electrical work permit from the City of Edmonton. EPCOR finalizes all technical details, orders the necessary materials, and obtains external approvals for work on municipal property. This stage takes one to four weeks, not including the time for external approvals, which can significantly increase the overall time frame.
External approvals are a critical factor that can significantly impact the project schedule. Typical timelines for obtaining various approvals include two to four weeks for municipal approvals, one to two weeks for tree or shrub removal permits, three to four weeks for pipeline approvals, six to eight weeks for railroad crossings, six to eight weeks for land easements or ministerial approvals, and six to eight weeks for Alberta Transportation approvals.
The fifth stage requires confirmation of a civil electrical inspection. If your project requires civil electrical work on the property, such as trenches, pipes, transformer platforms, or grounding, you must provide EPCOR with an electronic copy of the successfully completed inspection report.
The sixth stage is planning and execution of construction by EPCOR. At this stage, you must provide an electronic copy of the successfully completed final electrical inspection. EPCOR assesses the impact of the work on other customers, arranges the necessary planned power outages, arranges Alberta One-Call notifications for work on municipal property, obtains all materials, and completes the physical construction during normal business hours. From the time you provide a successfully completed final inspection to the activation of your service, it usually takes four to six weeks, so be sure to factor this time into your planning.
The seventh step is to contact your chosen retail supplier to order a meter installation. When your EPCOR representative informs you of the planned activation date, you call your chosen energy supplier and order the installation of an electricity meter.
The eighth and final stage is the activation of the meter by EPCOR. Your chosen supplier will notify EPCOR of the meter installation, after which EPCOR will install the meter and begin supplying electricity to your home.
The total time from the start of the process to the activation of electricity can range from several months to six months or more, depending on the complexity of the project, the need for external approvals, and weather conditions. That is why it is strongly recommended that new buildings begin the process at least two to three months before the planned move-in date.
Water and sewer connection
The water and sewer system in Edmonton is fundamentally different from the electricity and gas systems. EPCOR Water Services is the sole provider of all water services within the city, including drinking water, sewerage, and storm water drainage. This means there is no choice of provider, but at the same time, the connection process is simpler without the need to compare rates and terms from different companies.
Opening a water account in an existing home
For most moves within Edmonton, water and sewer services are already physically connected to the property. Your task is simply to open an account in your name or transfer the existing account from the previous occupant's name to yours. The process is very similar to connecting electricity.
You can register online through the EPCOR website on the pages dedicated to starting service, or call the same numbers as for electricity: 310-4300 within Alberta or 1-800-667-2345 for long-distance calls. It is recommended that you start the process at least three to five business days before your move-in date, although EPCOR can set up services more quickly in urgent cases.
The basic information you will need to provide includes your full name, residential address, contact information, service start date, and payment method. EPCOR charges a one-time application fee of twenty-five dollars for opening a new water account or changing an account within the city of Edmonton.
As with electricity, new customers may be required to pay a deposit, especially if they do not have a credit history in Canada or decline to have their credit history checked. The maximum deposit is calculated as thirty percent of the expected annual bill. Signing up for automatic payments often allows you to avoid or significantly reduce the deposit, following the same logic as with electricity.
Water and Sewer Rate Structure
Water bills in Edmonton consist of several components that reflect different aspects of water services. The basic structure includes a fixed monthly service charge, which depends on the size of the water meter on your property. For the most common residential size of fifteen millimeters, this charge is a fixed base amount that covers the cost of maintaining the water supply system regardless of how much water you actually consume.
The second component is a water consumption charge, which is calculated for each cubic meter of water used. One cubic meter is equal to one thousand liters of water. The average residential property consumes around ten to fifteen cubic meters of water per month, although this figure can vary significantly depending on the number of occupants, the presence of dishwashers and washing machines, consumption habits, and the use of water for irrigation.
Sewerage and drainage services are listed separately on the bill. The sewer fee includes a fixed monthly component and a variable component based on water consumption. The logic is simple: virtually all the water that enters your home eventually ends up in the sewer system, so EPCOR uses water meter readings to calculate the sewer fee.
Drainage services cover the cost of collecting and treating rainwater that runs off your property. The drainage fee is calculated based on the impervious surface area of your property, such as your roof, driveway, patio, and other paved or concrete areas.
All water service rates are regulated by Performance-Based Regulation and are adjusted annually based on inflation and operating costs. Specific rate values are published in city bylaws and on the EPCOR website.
Smart water meters
Edmonton is actively implementing smart water metering technology called Advanced Metering Infrastructure, or AMI for short. EPCOR has signed a contract with Landis+Gyr to supply and install AMI modules for approximately 270,000 water meters in the city.
These smart meters use RF Mesh Series 5 technology, which operates on EPCOR's existing wireless network of electric meters. The modules automatically record water consumption, encrypt the information, and transmit it directly to EPCOR without the need for an employee to physically visit the premises to read the meters. The upgrade project was scheduled for completion by the end of 2025.
The benefits of smart meters for consumers include the ability to detect water leaks in real time, which can save significant costs, detect backflow and unauthorized tampering with the meter, and the convenience of automatic reading without the need to provide access to the home.
For customers who, for whatever reason, do not wish to install a smart meter, EPCOR offers non-smart meters but charges an additional fee for manual meter reading. As of September 2025, this additional fee is $25 per month or $300 per year.
Natural Gas Connections
Natural gas is used in many Edmonton homes for home heating, water heating, cooking on gas stoves, and other needs. The gas connection system operates on the same logic of separation between distribution companies and retail suppliers as electricity.
ATCO Gas is the distribution company that owns and maintains gas pipelines in most of Alberta, including Edmonton. The company is responsible for the physical delivery of gas, network maintenance, emergency response, and gas meter installation. Consumers cannot choose their distribution company—it will always be ATCO Gas for Edmonton.
To purchase natural gas itself, residents can choose a regulated supplier, which is Direct Energy Regulated Services with a Default Rate Tariff, or DRT for short, or a competitive retail supplier such as Encor by EPCOR, ENMAX Energy, ATCO Energy, and others.
The Default Rate Tariff is a regulated rate that changes monthly based on market conditions and is approved by the Alberta Utilities Commission. Natural gas is purchased by the regulated supplier one to two months in advance of the delivery month based on demand forecasts. Differences between actual volume and forecast are adjusted in short-term markets, and price differences are passed on to consumers in subsequent bills.
Competitive suppliers offer alternatives to DRT in the form of fixed plans, where the rate remains unchanged for the term of the contract, ranging from one to five years, or floating plans with different pricing formulas. The choice between a regulated and a fixed plan depends on your risk tolerance and beliefs about future gas prices.
The process of connecting gas in an existing home is almost identical to the process of connecting electricity. You call your chosen retail supplier, provide the necessary information, select a rate plan, and specify the start date of service. It is recommended to give at least three business days' notice, although if the gas is already physically connected to the property, the process may be faster.
Responsibility for utilities in rented accommodation
One of the most common questions among tenants is who should pay for utilities—the landlord or the tenant. Unlike some jurisdictions where the law clearly defines this responsibility, in Alberta, this issue is governed solely by the lease agreement between the parties.
Alberta's Residential Tenancies Act does not specify who is responsible for paying utilities. This means that the only applicable terms are those specified in the lease agreement between the landlord and the tenant. Various arrangements are possible, and all are legal as long as both parties have agreed to them.
The first option is for the tenant to open accounts for all or part of the utilities in their name and pay the suppliers directly. This is the most common scenario for single-family homes, townhouses, and many apartments.
The second option is for the tenant to pay the landlord a fixed or variable amount for utilities, but the bills remain in the landlord's name. This arrangement is typical for apartment buildings or situations where it is difficult to install separate meters for each rented unit.
The third option is that the landlord pays for all utilities directly to the suppliers, and the cost is included in the monthly rent. This is common in older buildings and some modern complexes where the landlord provides “utilities included” as part of the rental package.
It is critical to clarify these details before signing a lease agreement. The lease agreement must clearly state which utilities are included in the rent and which the tenant must pay for separately. If the ad says “utilities included,” be sure to clarify what exactly is included — only water and heating, or also electricity, or even the internet.
It is important to understand the legal implications of different scenarios. If the lease agreement stipulates that the tenant is responsible for utilities and must open accounts in their name, but they fail to do so, the regulated supplier will automatically open an account in the name of the property owner as determined by the land registry. In this case, the owner will receive the bills and will be legally obligated to pay them. The owner can then attempt to recover these funds from the tenant through the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service.
If the accounts are opened in the tenant's name and they do not pay, the landlord is not liable to the utility companies for these debts. Suppliers must collect the debt from the person in whose name the account is opened.
Practical tips and avoiding mistakes
Successfully connecting utilities requires planning, attention to detail, and knowledge of a few practical nuances that can save time and money.
The first and most common mistake is starting the process too late. Many people leave connecting utilities until the last few days before moving or even on the day of the move. This creates unnecessary stress and the risk of being left without electricity, water, or heating in your new home. The optimal strategy is to plan at least three to four weeks in advance, and for new buildings, two to three months in advance.
The second mistake is neglecting to compare rates. Some people simply accept the default regulated rate or choose the first supplier they find without comparing terms. The difference between a regulated rate and the best competitive fixed plan can be a few cents per kilowatt-hour, which, with typical consumption of 600 kilowatt-hours per month, translates into savings of $20-30 per month or about $300 per year.
The third mistake is ignoring deposits and ways to avoid them. Many newcomers simply pay deposits of $300 for electricity, $200 for gas, and $125 for water, unaware that signing up for automatic payment usually waives these deposits entirely.
This means a potential savings of six hundred to seven hundred dollars right away when opening accounts.
The fourth mistake is not recording meter readings when moving in and out. If you don't take a photo of the electricity, gas, and water meters with the readings and date visible at the time of move-in, it may be impossible to prove later where the previous tenant's consumption ends and yours begins. This can lead to paying for someone else's consumption or disputes with the landlord.
The fifth mistake is not understanding the structure of bills. Many people only look at the rate per kilowatt-hour or gigajoule, ignoring administrative fees, delivery and transmission costs, and various additional charges. Sometimes a “cheap” tariff turns out to be more expensive in total due to high fixed fees. Use comparison tools that take into account all components of the bill for a realistic estimate of total monthly costs.
The sixth mistake is not reading the terms of contracts with competing suppliers carefully. Some plans have automatic renewal at significantly higher rates after the initial term ends. Others charge penalties for early termination of the contract. Always read all terms and conditions carefully, especially the fine print, before signing.
For tenants, it is critical to clearly understand who is responsible for utilities before signing a lease. The phrase “utilities included” can mean anything from all services included to only heating and water included. Always ask for a specific list of what is included and what the tenant must pay for separately.
Useful contacts and resources
For successful utility management in Edmonton, it is helpful to have a list of key contacts and resources on hand.
EPCOR for electricity, water, and Encor can be reached at 310-4300 toll-free within Alberta or 1-800-667-2345 for long-distance calls. Customer service hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and closed on Sundays and holidays. For electricity or water emergencies, call 780-412-4500 24 hours a day. For new electricity connections, call 780-412-3128 or email [email protected].
ATCO Gas is available 24 hours a day for natural gas emergencies at 1-800-511-3447 or 780-420-5585. If you smell gas, it is critical to evacuate the premises immediately, do not turn any electrical appliances or lights on or off, and call from a safe distance.
Utilities Consumer Advocate is a free resource for utility consumers in Alberta. The organization provides advice on choosing suppliers, understanding bills, resolving disputes, and protecting consumer rights. Call 310-4822 toll-free in Alberta or 780-644-5130 outside Alberta. The website ucahelps.alberta.ca contains detailed information, rate comparison tools, and educational materials.
Most suppliers offer online portals for convenient bill management. EPCOR and Encor use the My Account system at myaccount.epcor.com, where you can view bills, make payments, set up automatic payments, change rate plans, track consumption, and transfer services when you move.
Conclusion
Connecting electricity and water in your new Edmonton home is an important step in successfully moving and adapting to life in the city. While the process may seem complicated at first due to Alberta's deregulated energy market structure and differences from familiar systems, understanding the basic principles makes it quite manageable.
Key points to remember include understanding the difference between distribution companies, which own the infrastructure, and retail suppliers, which sell you energy. This separation gives you freedom of choice for electricity and gas, but not for water, which in Edmonton is provided exclusively by EPCOR Water Services.
Planning is critical. Begin the process three to four weeks before moving for existing homes and two to three months for new builds. This allows enough time to compare rates, complete paperwork, and avoid service interruptions.
Comparing options can save you a lot of money. The difference between a regulated rate and the best competitive plan can be hundreds of dollars a year. Use official comparison tools, such as the UCA's Cost Comparison Tool, to make an informed choice.
Deposits are not inevitable. Signing up for automatic payments usually eliminates deposits entirely, saving you $600-$700 right away when you open your accounts.
It is critical for tenants to clarify responsibility for utilities before signing a lease, as Alberta law does not address this issue, leaving it to the discretion of the parties.
Getting your utilities set up correctly from the first days in your new home provides a solid foundation for comfortable living in Edmonton. Investing time in understanding the system, comparing options, and choosing the best solutions will pay off in years of reliable service and potential savings on monthly expenses.