Fixed Contract
'Lock in' a specific price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity and/or per gigajoule (GJ) of natural gas.
You will pay this fixed price for all of your utility usage for the duration of your contract (12-months).
Choose the fixed contract plan if you:
- want to avoid changes in the rate you pay every month
- favour predictability, stability and dependability
- want to more closely budget for your bill every month
You can choose options separately for electricity and gas. If you choose a contract for one, you don’t have to choose a contract for the other.
Electricity | Natural Gas |
---|---|
October 2023: $0.11686/kWh | October 2023: $3.950/GJ |
Historical offers below | |
July 2023: $0.16944/kWh | July 2023: $4.226/GJ |
April 2023: $0.15793/kWh | April 2023: $4.866/GJ |
January 2023: $0.17653/kWh | January 2023: $6.607/GJ |
The City of Medicine Hat will update the fixed rate offering each quarter on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1. When you sign a contract, you are committed to paying the rate that is in effect on that day for the next 12 months.
Benefits of a fixed contract
- It can protect against short-term price increases due to things like natural disasters and geopolitical events
- You can have certainty on what rate you are paying for each month of your contract (utility bill will still fluctuate based on energy consumption)
- During some months, the fixed rate may be lower than the RRO
A fixed contract is not the same as Budget Billing. Learn about the difference.
Potential risks
- During some months, the fixed rate may be higher than the RRO
- If RRO rates drop below your locked in fixed rate, you are still bound to the terms of your 12-month contract
See the example below illustrating four different customers who sign up at different times of the year and how their pricing continues.
Example
The fixed rate does not mean that your utility bill will be the same each month. Your monthly utility bill will be higher or lower depending on the amount of energy you have used.
Who is eligible? |
Residential, small commercial and medium commercial customers in the Medicine Hat service area are eligible for the electric contract rate options. All customers in the Medicine Hat service area are eligible for the natural gas contract rate options. |
Are there any fees or charges? |
There are no fees or charges associated with signing up for any of the energy plans. All contracts expire at the end of the 12-month term - there is no need to opt out of the program. If you wish to stay on a contract rate option, you will need to sign a new contract. Once you are in a contract, you cannot opt out and will be billed as per the contract for the entire 12-month period. Note: The contract terminates if you change your service location (i.e. move) and you have the choice to enter a new contract or remain on the default RRO. |
How do I know if I am on the fixed rate? |
Your utility statement will indicate the words (Fixed Rate) beside the service that is on the rate. It is also indicated on the front of your utility bill, as well as in your email notification. |
Once I apply, do I have to renew the contract once it expires? |
Yes, you will have to sign up again. With the former fixed rate program, renewals occurred automatically. With more than one contract option now available, customers will need to sign up for one of the contract options each time their term expires. If you do not sign up for a new contract, your utility rates will go back to the default option, which is the regulated rate offering (market-based rate calculated monthly). If you wish to sign up for a contract option, call 403-529-8111 or fill out the online form. |
How do I cancel? |
Once you have committed to a contract, you are unable to cancel until the end of the contract term, which is 12 months for both the fixed contract rate and the variable contract rate. At the end of the contract, you will automatically return to the default option. |
What if I move? |
Contracts will automatically terminate when you move or sign off utility services at the service location. When you sign on to utility service at a new location, you will automatically receive the default option, which is the regulated rate offering (market-based rate calculated monthly). You will stay at the default option at the new location unless you choose to sign up for a new fixed or variable contract option. |
Do I have to sign up for both gas and electric? |
You have full control of your pricing choices. You can enter a contract for either gas or electric, or both. |
What’s the difference between the fixed contract and budget billing? |
Budget Billing is a program where your monthly payments of the total bill are the same amount each month, (based on a projection of how much electricity and gas you will consume). Then, once a year, your account is reviewed to determine your actual usage and settled-up to bring your account to zero. On Budget Billing, you can still choose to be on a contract rate or the default rate. This program allows for more predictable monthly budgeting. Learn more on our Budget Billing page. |
The Fixed Contract is only one of three choices you have for energy pricing in Medicine Hat.