Because your furnace burns more gas. Every gigajoule (GJ) adds to the energy charge and to the per-GJ part of your delivery charge. At October 2026's regulated rate of $1.458/GJ, a 20 GJ winter month is $29.16 in energy charge alone, and the regulated rate is reset every month.
Natural gas is measured in gigajoules (GJ). Your bill has five parts:
In winter the GJ number climbs, so the energy charge and the per-GJ delivery charge climb with it. The fixed daily delivery charge does not change with use.
Pick the row closest to your bill's GJ line. These are example usage levels, not a typical household: homes vary with size, insulation and furnace age. The figures use this month's regulated rate, which is reset every month. Fixed and variable plans are explained in the next section.
| Gas used in the month | Energy charge, regulated rate October 2026 ($1.458/GJ) |
|---|---|
| 5 GJ | $7.29 |
| 10 GJ | $14.58 |
| 15 GJ | $21.87 |
| 20 GJ | $29.16 |
| 25 GJ | $36.45 |
Energy charge only. Delivery charges (set by your gas utility, ATCO Gas or Apex Utilities, the same whichever retailer you choose), the monthly admin fee, any municipal franchise fee and GST are not included, so your bill will be higher than the figures shown. Regulated gas rate in ATCO Gas areas: $1.458/GJ for October 2026 (Utilities Consumer Advocate); it is set every month. Bright Fire variable natural gas (described below): Index + $0.85/GJ, where the index is the monthly NGX Alberta market price. September 2026's index was about $1.28/GJ, so the plan worked out to about $2.13/GJ. Your bill uses the index figure set by the licensed retailer for that billing period, which can differ slightly from this reference, and past prices do not predict future ones. Bright Fire 1-year fixed natural gas ($4.39/GJ, $250 early exit fee) is described below. This is a comparison of published rates, not a guarantee of savings.
A fixed rate can sit above or below the regulated rate in any given month; what it buys is a known price for the term. Compare your own bill on the rate card. In gas co-op areas your gas comes through the co-op, and Bright Fire supplies electricity only.
Sources: Utilities Consumer Advocate (Government of Alberta) cost comparison tool, regulated gas rate October 2026; Natural Resources Canada, home heating guidance.
You use more gas. Your furnace runs longer in cold weather, so more gigajoules (GJ) go through the meter, and both the energy charge and the per-GJ part of the delivery charge grow with every GJ. The regulated gas rate is also reset every month, so the price per GJ can move too.
In gigajoules (GJ). Your bill has an energy charge (GJ used × your rate, from your retailer), a delivery charge from your gas utility (a fixed daily amount plus a per-GJ amount), an admin fee, any municipal franchise fee and GST. Delivery is the same whichever retailer you choose.
For October 2026 the regulated rate in ATCO Gas areas is $1.458/GJ (per the Utilities Consumer Advocate). It is set every month, so check the current month before comparing.
A fixed plan keeps the same energy price per GJ for the term on about 90 percent of your past usage, which suits people who want a predictable winter bill. A variable plan follows the monthly market index, up or down, which suits people comfortable with swings. Bright Fire's 1-year fixed natural gas is $4.39/GJ with a $250 early exit fee. Variable natural gas is Index + $0.85/GJ with no cancellation fee for residential customers; at September 2026's index of about $1.28/GJ it worked out to about $2.13/GJ, and it changes every month.
Not gas. In gas co-op areas your natural gas comes through the co-op. Bright Fire can still supply your electricity there.
Turn the thermostat down when you are asleep or away. Natural Resources Canada suggests about 17°C then and 20°C when you are home, and notes you save about 2 percent on your heating bill for every 1°C you turn it down at night. Change the furnace filter regularly and seal drafts around doors and windows.
See the gas and electricity rate card, or check what your own bill costs.
Ready now? Sign up in as little as 4 minutes; the switch itself can take up to 10 to 30 days. Already with us for electricity? Add natural gas on the same sign-up. Questions? Call (780) 779-7188.
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