Just Energy vs. Encor
Explore Just Energy and Encor, two energy providers serving Alberta.
Just Energy vs. Encor Energy: An Overview
Choosing an energy provider in Alberta’s competitive market means choosing a partner that aligns with your household’s long-term needs. Both Just Energy and Encor are established names in the province, but they offer different heritage and service structures.
Just Energy was founded in 1997 and has spent nearly three decades establishing itself as a cornerstone of the North American energy landscape. As a time-tested provider, we specialize in offering stability and predictability through a variety of Alberta electricity and natural gas plans.
Our longevity is supported by a robust network of specialized subsidiary brands, each designed to meet specific consumer needs. This family of brands includes HomeWater, which provides water filtration solutions. Amigo Energy, Tara Energy, and GoodBundle focus on competitive retail power and are available exclusively in Texas. By choosing Just Energy, you are partnering with a provider that has the infrastructure and experience to navigate market fluctuations while keeping your service dependable.
Encor Energy serves as the competitive retail arm of EPCOR, a utility with roots in Edmonton dating back over 125 years. Encor itself was formally launched in 2003 to give Albertans an alternative to the Regulated Rate Option (RRO). While Encor is the brand most residents interact with for competitive contracts, it operates under the larger EPCOR umbrella, which also manages regulated utilities and water services.
Unlike Just Energy’s multi-brand retail approach, Encor primarily focuses on integrated energy and natural gas solutions within the Alberta market, often leveraging its connection to EPCOR’s utility services to offer bundled billing for residents in specific municipalities.
Find out why over a million customers trust Just Energy!
Just Energy vs. Encor Energy: Electricity Rates
In Alberta’s deregulated market, electricity prices are influenced by everything from seasonal weather patterns to global fuel costs. Because these factors shift frequently, comparing providers side-by-side is a mechanical necessity for any informed consumer.
When you look at rates across different providers, you aren’t just looking at a number; you are evaluating the risk profile of your household budget. Some providers may offer lower introductory rates that fluctuate month-to-month, while others, like Just Energy, focus on securing a fixed rate that remains consistent regardless of market volatility. By comparing the fine print, you can identify which plan offers the best overall value for your specific consumption habits rather than just the lowest teaser price.
Electricity Plan Offerings in Alberta: Just Energy vs. Encor
Just Energy Plans in Alberta
As a long-standing partner in the Alberta energy market, Just Energy specializes in providing residents with options that prioritize financial stability. We offer a comprehensive suite of Alberta electricity and natural gas plans designed to meet a variety of needs. Our top offerings include:
Fixed-Rate Energy Plans
Our most popular choice for Alberta households, these plans allow you to secure a consistent rate for the duration of your contract (typically 3 or 5 years). This protects your household budget from the price spikes often seen in Alberta’s volatile wholesale market.
100% Green Nights Free Plan
This innovative plan combines the benefits of a fixed rate with free electricity during night hours. It is an ideal solution for residents who can shift their heavy energy usage, to the evening.
Price Protection Plan
Available in 12, 24, or 36-month terms, this plan is built for ultimate peace of mind. It provides a straightforward fixed rate that shields your home from market fluctuations and seasonal price surges for the duration of your agreement.
Service & Features: Just Energy serves residential customers across the province. To support your sustainability goals, we offer JustGreen add-ons, which allow you to offset up to 100% of your energy consumption through verified carbon offsets and Renewable Energy Credits (RECs). Managing your account is seamless through our online portal, where you can monitor usage, view past bills, and set up various payment options, including pre-authorized debit, credit card, or paperless billing.
Encor Energy Plans in Alberta
Encor by EPCOR provides a range of competitive products for Albertans looking for alternatives to the Regulated Rate Option (RRO). Their offerings are built around flexibility and integration with other utility services. Their primary plan types include:
Fixed-Rate Plans
Encor offers fixed-rate terms (typically 2 or 5 years) that provide a stable price per kWh. A key feature of their fixed plans is the penalty-free exit, allowing customers to switch or cancel without a termination fee.
Floating-Rate Plans
For those comfortable with market movement, these plans follow the monthly wholesale market price plus a small transaction fee. This allows savvy users to benefit when market prices drop, though it carries higher risk during peak demand.
Energy Bundles
Encor specializes in bundling electricity and natural gas, often providing a single administrative fee for both services to simplify household management.
Service & Features: Encor provides services for residential and small-to-large commercial businesses. Their Chirp program offers three levels of green energy (15%, 50%, or 100%), which can be added to their 2-year fixed plans to support regional renewable projects. Customers can manage their services through the EPCOR My Account portal, which supports usage tracking and various payment methods like Interac e-Transfer, credit card, and automatic bank withdrawals. Their customer service team is locally based, providing support for both competitive energy and, in some regions, regulated water services.
Benefits of Choosing Just Energy in Alberta
Green Energy Add-ons
Through our JustGreen™ program, you can live more sustainably by offsetting up to 100% of your home’s carbon footprint with verified renewable energy credits and carbon offsets.
Fixed-Rates
Choosing a fixed-rate plan allows you to secure a consistent price per kWh for the duration of your contract, providing your household with long-term budget stability against market spikes.
Easy Bill Pay
We offer several convenient ways to manage your account, including automatic bank withdrawals (PAD), secure online payments through our portal, and 24/7 automated phone systems.
Your Power, Your Terms
Pick from short-term or long-term plans to enjoy maximum flexibility. You call the shots!
FAQs: Just Energy vs. Encor in Alberta
Just Energy provides electricity and natural gas services to most residential customers throughout Alberta, including major urban centers like Calgary and Edmonton. However, there are some exceptions. Certain areas, such as those served by specific Rural Electrification Associations (REAs) or municipally owned utilities, may not allow for private retail competition. In these cases, residents must receive their energy from the local cooperative or municipality. We recommend using our postal code search tool to confirm if Just Energy service is available for your specific address.
To compare electricity and natural gas rates in real-time, you can use the Utilities Consumer Advocate (UCA) Cost Comparison Tool. This official Government of Alberta resource allows you to input your location and usage habits to view a side-by-side breakdown of rates from Just Energy, Encor, and other retailers. Additionally, independent platforms like EnergyRates.ca provide comprehensive market overviews to help you evaluate which provider offers the most dependable value for your household budget.
Encor Energy is owned by EPCOR Utilities Inc., a municipally owned corporation with the City of Edmonton as its sole shareholder. While Encor operates as a competitive retail brand throughout Alberta, its parent company, EPCOR, has deep roots in the province dating back to 1891. This unique structure means that while Encor competes with private retailers like Just Energy, its profits ultimately contribute to the municipal budget and infrastructure of the City of Edmonton.