Living with roommates or renting out part of your home (e.g., the basement) is one of the most popular ways to save money in Alberta. However, Edmonton has a specific utility bill structure that often causes conflicts. Electricity bills here can be shocking, not so much because of the cost of the energy consumed, but because of the associated fees.
This article will help you set up a transparent and fair payment system to save money and maintain good relationships.
1. Understanding the bill: Why is it difficult in Edmonton?
Before dividing the amount, it is important to understand what it consists of. In Edmonton (most often through EPCOR), the bill is divided into two parts:
- Energy Charges: This is what you have actually used (kWh of electricity or GJ of gas).
- Delivery & Admin Fees: This is the fee for transporting energy to your home. Important: In Alberta, these fees often make up 40-60% of the total bill.
Common mistake: A neighbor who goes on vacation for a month may think they don't have to pay for that month.
Reality: Even if no one is living in the house and consumption is zero, you will still receive a bill for $50–100+ for “delivery” (Distribution/Transmission charges). Therefore, the “fixed” part of the bill must always be divided, regardless of whether anyone is home.
2. Methods of dividing bills
The choice of method depends on the type of housing and agreements.
Method A: Equal division (50/50, 33/33/33)
The simplest option for apartments or houses where everyone has approximately equal rooms.
- Pros: Minimal math.
- Cons: Unfair if one room is significantly larger or if a couple lives in one room.
Method B: Per person
Best suited for mixed situations (e.g., one person in a small room and a couple in a large master bedroom).
- How to calculate: The total amount is divided by the number of people.
- Nuance: Internet and water should almost always be divided according to this principle, since water consumption depends on the number of users, not the size of the room.
Method B: Proportional to square footage
Ideal for renting rooms of different sizes.
- Formula: (Area of your room / Total area of all bedrooms) × Bill amount
- Example: If your room is 10 square meters and your neighbor's is 20 square meters, they pay twice as much for heating/electricity. Common areas (kitchen, living room) are ignored because everyone uses them.
Method G: Upper floor vs. basement (60/40 split)
This is Edmonton's “gold standard” for homes with a legal basement suite where there are no separate meters.
- Standard: Upper floor residents pay 60%, basement residents pay 40%.
- Logic: The upper floor usually has a larger area, higher ceilings (more heat goes up), and more windows, which leads to greater heat loss.
- Variation: Sometimes a proportion based on the number of people is used (for example, if one person lives upstairs and a family of three lives downstairs, 60/40 would be unfair; 50/50 or 40/60 would be better).
3. Edmonton specifics: Winter and cars
This is the most common cause of arguments in winter.
Block heaters
In Edmonton, when it's -30°C, it's common to plug your car into an outlet.
- The cost: Leaving your car plugged in overnight (10–12 hours) every day can add $25–40 to your monthly electricity bill (depending on the power of the heater and your rate).
- Solution: Buy a timer for the outlet (costs $15-20 at Canadian Tire). Set it so that the car only warms up for 2-3 hours before you leave. This saves up to 80% of the cost.
- How to split the cost: If only one neighbor has a car and plugs it in, it's fair for them to pay a fixed amount (e.g., $20/month in winter) on top of their share.
Heating
In older Edmonton homes, there is often only one thermostat for the entire house.
- Agreement: Agree on a “default” temperature (e.g., 20°C during the day, 18°C at night). Any increase in temperature by one of the neighbors should be discussed. Using personal space heaters in your room is a bill killer. They consume a huge amount of energy. Agree that whoever uses a space heater pays more.
4. Fixed rate or Regulated Rate Option (RRO)?
In Alberta, you can choose between a fixed rate and a regulated rate option (RRO).
- RRO (Variable): The price changes every month. In winter, it can jump sharply. This is risky for your budget.
- Fixed: You sign a 1-3 year contract with a fixed price per kWh.
Tip: If the bill is in your name, discuss switching to a fixed rate with your neighbors. This provides predictability. If the price suddenly jumps and you are on RRO, your neighbors may accuse you of negligence.
5. Legal aspects and the “Roommate Agreement”
Important to know: The Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) in Alberta does NOT usually regulate relationships between neighbors.
If you rent a place together (both names on the lease) or you live with the landlord (landlord roommate), the Residential Tenancies Dispute Resolution Society (RTDRS) will often not consider your utility disputes.
Therefore, a written agreement between roommates (Roommate Agreement) is mandatory. It must include:
- How bills are divided (%).
- Whose name is on the EPCOR/Enmax bill.
- What to do if one roommate moves out in the middle of winter.
- Payment deadline (for example: “Money is transferred to the responsible person within 3 days after receiving a photo of the bill”).
6. Tools to simplify your life
Don't try to keep everything in your head or write it down on pieces of paper.
- Splitwise: This is a free app that is standard in Canada. You enter the bill, specify how it is divided, and the app keeps track of “who owes whom.” This removes the psychological stress of constant reminders about debt.
- Equal Payment Plan: You can sign up for this option with your utility providers. They average out your annual consumption, and you pay the same amount every month (for example, $200 in both summer and winter). This is very helpful for planning a budget with your neighbors to avoid “winter shock.”