Without a contract you pay the default gas rate for your area, reset every month. For October 2026 it is $1.458/GJ in ATCO Gas areas and $1.602/GJ in Apex Utilities areas. In 2026 it has ranged from $0.936 to $3.331/GJ (ATCO Gas areas), so the same 10 GJ month cost $9.36 to $33.31 in energy charge.
Current fixed and variable prices for both fuels are on the rate card. In gas co-op areas your gas comes through the co-op, and Bright Fire supplies electricity only.
| Month | 2026 ATCO Gas areas | 2026 Apex Utilities areas | 2025 ATCO Gas areas | 2025 Apex Utilities areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | $3.331 | $3.419 | $1.986 | $1.935 |
| February | $2.422 | $2.250 | $2.127 | $1.810 |
| March | $1.784 | $1.751 | $2.446 | $2.428 |
| April | $1.874 | $1.535 | $2.210 | $2.180 |
| May | $0.936 | $0.930 | $2.419 | $2.679 |
| June | $2.076 | $2.412 | $1.775 | $2.691 |
| July | $1.595 | $1.814 | $1.097 | $0.784 |
| August | $1.729 | $2.021 | $0.834 | $0.981 |
| September | $1.124 | $1.432 | $0.722 | $1.017 |
| October | $1.458 | $1.602 | $1.429 | $1.415 |
| November | not set yet | not set yet | $2.579 | $2.492 |
| December | not set yet | not set yet | $3.390 | $3.008 |
Source: Utilities Consumer Advocate (Government of Alberta), default rates, read 2026-10-22. Rates are approved by the Alberta Utilities Commission. Data: data.json.
Energy charge only, at the default rate. Compare October with the high and low months of 2026 in ATCO Gas areas.
| Gas used | October 2026, ATCO Gas areas | October 2026, Apex Utilities areas | January 2026 (high), ATCO Gas areas | May 2026 (low), ATCO Gas areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 GJ | $7.29 | $8.01 | $16.66 | $4.68 |
| 10 GJ | $14.58 | $16.02 | $33.31 | $9.36 |
| 15 GJ | $21.87 | $24.03 | $49.96 | $14.04 |
| 20 GJ | $29.16 | $32.04 | $66.62 | $18.72 |
Delivery charges (fixed daily plus per GJ), the admin fee, any municipal franchise fee and GST are extra, so your bill will be higher. Past rates do not predict future months. Not a guarantee of savings.
If you have not signed with a retailer, you pay the default gas rate (the Default Rate Tariff) for your area. It is reviewed and approved by the Alberta Utilities Commission and can change every month. Retailers offer fixed plans (same price for the term) and variable plans (follow a market index monthly).
$1.458/GJ in ATCO Gas areas and $1.602/GJ in Apex Utilities areas (Utilities Consumer Advocate). Energy charge only; delivery and admin charges are extra.
A lot. In ATCO Gas areas it went from $3.331/GJ in January 2026 to $0.936/GJ in May 2026. The last 12 months averaged $2.025/GJ (ATCO Gas areas) and $2.055/GJ (Apex Utilities areas).
Demand for heating pushes up the market price of gas. Last winter the default rate in ATCO Gas areas rose from $1.429/GJ in October 2025 to $3.390 in December and $3.331 in January 2026. You also use more gas in winter, so a higher rate lands on more GJ.
A gigajoule, the unit natural gas is billed in. Your bill shows the GJ you used; the energy charge is GJ used times your rate per GJ.
No. Delivery comes from your gas utility (ATCO Gas or Apex Utilities), has a fixed daily part and a per-GJ part, and is the same whichever retailer you choose.
See fixed and variable natural gas on the rate card, or check what your own bill costs.
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