Do I need to switch retailers to reduce my delivery charges?

No. Distribution and transmission charges are independent of your retailer, so rate classification, billing demand, riders and metering can be reviewed while a contract is still in force.

When should a business start shopping for its next energy contract?

Sixty to ninety days before the current term ends. Starting on the end date leaves no room to wait out an unfavourable market or to compare offers properly.

Can an Alberta business switch energy retailers mid-contract?

Q: Can an Alberta business switch energy retailers mid-contract?

Usually yes, but commercial contracts often carry exit provisions — a flat fee or a market-based settlement — so the agreement should be read first. Alberta residential contracts typically have no penalty, but business agreements are negotiated and differ.

Short answer: Usually yes, but check your agreement first. Unlike most Alberta residential contracts, commercial agreements can carry real exit provisions — sometimes a fee, sometimes a market-based settlement. And you do not need to switch at all to review your delivery charges, which are the larger half of the bill.

Last updated September 12, 2026.

Business contracts are not residential contracts

Most Alberta residential energy contracts can be exited without penalty. Commercial agreements
are negotiated instruments and often are not. Three patterns are common:

Exit provision	What it means
No penalty	Notice period only. Common on smaller business accounts.
Fixed fee	A flat charge, or a per-meter or per-month-remaining figure.
Market settlement	You cover the retailer’s loss if market prices have fallen below your contracted price. Most common on larger fixed contracts and the one that can carry a real number.

Read the agreement before you do anything. If you would rather not, send it with your bills and
we will read it as part of the review and tell you plainly what leaving would cost.

You do not have to wait to start

The half of your bill that is distribution and transmission is not tied to your retailer at all.
Rate classification, billing demand, riders and metering can be reviewed and corrected today,
whatever your contract says. So can power factor, load profile and equipment questions. For a lot
of businesses that is where the money is anyway.

What to do if you are locked in

Write down your exact contract end date and any auto-renewal clause — auto-renewal onto an
undefined rate is the most expensive line in many agreements.
Have the delivery side reviewed now.
Start shopping 60–90 days before the end date, not on it.
Set a reminder, or let us hold the date. We track renewal dates for the businesses we review,
because the market is never at its best on the exact day you are forced to sign.

Book a free Energy Cost Audit

Send us one recent electricity bill and one natural gas bill. We review both halves — the
energy you buy and the delivery charges you are billed to receive it — and come back with a
written summary of what we found and what, if anything, is worth changing. No cost, no obligation,
and no requirement to switch anything.

Upload your bills — free Energy Cost Audit

Prefer email? Send your bills to
info@getenergy.ca, or call
(780) 665-4771, Monday to Friday 9 AM–5 PM.

More for Alberta businesses

Energy prices move every week. Our Alberta
Energy Market Report tracks wholesale power prices, the natural gas reference price and retail
rate movement every Monday.

Get Energy is an Alberta competitive retailer and energy broker serving
residential, small business, farm and commercial consumers. Get Energy is a tradename of Utility
Network & Partners Inc.