Electricity contract renewal can feel overwhelming—but we've built an algorithm that does all the research for you in about 7 minutes
Your electricity contract is expiring soon. You probably got a notice buried somewhere in your bill, maybe a phone call from your current provider with a "special renewal offer," and definitely some anxiety about what happens if you do nothing.
Here's what we've learned helping hundreds of Albertans navigate contract renewals: the companies that make renewal feel like a months-long research project are usually the ones you should be most suspicious of.
The traditional approach to contract renewal is designed to exhaust you into giving up and just accepting whatever your current provider offers. It involves spreadsheets, phone calls, confusing rate comparisons, and weeks of second-guessing yourself.
But here's the thing: we've built something that does all of that work for you in about 7 minutes.
First, let's show you why the old way is so unnecessarily painful (and why most people avoid it). Then we'll show you how the new way actually works.
Why the Traditional Approach Is Designed to Exhaust You
The electricity industry has spent decades perfecting a renewal process that feels overwhelming enough to make you give up and stick with your current provider—even when better options exist.
The 90-Day Anxiety Build-Up
Most "expert advice" tells you to start shopping 3 months before your contract expires. This sounds responsible, but it's actually designed to make electricity shopping feel like a part-time job.
What they want you to do:
Track rate changes across dozens of providers
Create spreadsheets comparing confusing fee structures
Call multiple companies to clarify their marketing claims
Agonize over contract length decisions
Second-guess yourself for weeks
What actually happens: Most people either procrastinate until the last minute (then panic-choose) or get overwhelmed and just renew with their current provider at whatever rate they're offered.
The Renewal Pressure Campaign
Meanwhile, your current provider starts their retention campaign designed to exploit the research fatigue they helped create:
"Special renewal offers" that expire quickly
Calls from "customer loyalty" teams with "exclusive deals"
Confusing rate structures that make comparison impossible
Artificial urgency about market conditions
This isn't customer service—it's behavioral manipulation designed to shortcut your decision-making process.
How We've Solved the Contract Renewal Problem
What if, instead of spending months researching electricity plans, you could tell an algorithm what matters to you and get personalized recommendations in minutes?
That's exactly what we built. Our preference survey takes about 2 minutes to complete and immediately shows you which plans actually make sense for your situation—no spreadsheets, no phone calls, no weeks of research.
Here's how it works:
Tell us your priorities (price vs. predictability vs. green energy vs. service quality)
Share your usage patterns (we can pull this from your recent bills)
Set your timeline (when your contract expires, how flexible you are)
Review your matches (clear explanations of why each plan fits your preferences)
Choose and switch (we guide you through the simple signup process)
Total time: 7 minutes. Total stress: basically none.
But maybe you're curious about how people used to handle this before algorithms made it simple. Here's the old-school approach that still gets recommended by "experts" who haven't caught up with modern tools:
What Happens If You Do Nothing
Let's address the elephant in the room: what if you just... don't deal with this?
The Default Provider Safety Net
If your contract expires and you haven't chosen a new plan, you don't lose electricity. Alberta has a system called the "Regulated Rate Option" (RRO) that automatically kicks in.
The good news: Your lights stay on, and the rate adjusts monthly based on market conditions.
The less good news: The RRO isn't designed to be competitive long-term pricing. It's a safety net, not a strategy.
Why "Doing Nothing" Usually Costs You
Think of the RRO like those expensive snacks at the airport. They're available when you need them, but you wouldn't choose them if you had planned ahead.
Most Albertans can find better deals than the RRO by actually choosing a retail plan. The difference can be $20-50 per month for a typical household.
The Renewal Trap
Here's what many providers hope happens: you get their renewal offer right around your expiration date, feel time pressure, and sign up for whatever they're offering without shopping around.
This is usually a mistake. Renewal offers are rarely the best deal available—they're just convenient.
Red Flags in Renewal Offers
Your current provider will probably contact you with a renewal offer. Here's how to tell if it's actually good or just convenient:
Pressure Tactics
"This offer expires soon" - Legitimate electricity plans don't have artificial deadlines
"Rates are going up across the market" - Maybe, but that applies to everyone, not just you
"You'll lose your current rate" - Yes, that's how contract expiration works
Suspicious Terms
Automatic renewals - Plans that renew themselves without your active choice
Introductory rates - Great price for 6 months, then much higher after
Vague renewable claims - "Green energy" without specific details about source or cost
Missing Information
No comparison context - They don't mention how their offer compares to current market options
Complex rate structures - Plans with multiple tiers, conditions, or fees that make comparison difficult
The Smart Renewal Strategy
Here's how to approach contract renewal like the informed consumer you are:
Treat Your Current Provider Like Any Other Option
Just because you've been with them doesn't mean they deserve your loyalty. They need to earn your business with competitive terms and good service.
Use Your Experience as Data
Have they been responsive when you had billing questions?
Were there any surprise fees or charges?
Did rate changes (if you had variable pricing) match what they predicted?
Don't Confuse Familiarity with Quality
Staying with the same provider feels safe, but "safe" and "smart" aren't the same thing. The electricity market has probably changed significantly since you last shopped around.
Special Situations
Moving Soon?
If you're planning to move within the next year, shorter contract terms make more sense. You don't want to deal with early termination fees or transferring contracts to a new address.
Major Life Changes?
New job, family changes, or home renovations can significantly affect your electricity usage. Consider these when choosing contract length and rate structure.
Market Timing?
If electricity rates are currently high, you might prefer a shorter-term contract that lets you switch again when conditions improve. If rates are low, locking in a longer-term fixed rate could make sense.
The Old Way vs. The New Way
The Traditional 3-Month Marathon
90 days out: Start noticing the market 60 days out: Analyze your priorities and current options 30 days out: Make your decision and start the switch 14 days out: Confirm everything is processing Expiration date: Relax, knowing you made an informed choice
This is how electricity shopping worked for the past 20 years—a months-long research project that most people either avoided completely or rushed through at the last minute.
The Earnest Way: 7 Minutes, Done
We've done all the homework so you don't have to. Our algorithm takes your preferences, usage patterns, and contract timeline, then shows you the plans that actually make sense for your situation.
2 minutes: Tell us what matters to you 3 minutes: Review your personalized matches 2 minutes: Choose your plan and start the switch Done: Get back to your life
No spreadsheets. No calling multiple retailers. No three-month research projects. Just smart matching that works with how busy people actually live.
The Bottom Line
Contract expiration isn't a crisis—it's an opportunity. You get to reevaluate your choice with more experience and better information than when you first signed up.
The question isn't whether better options exist (they probably do), but whether you want to spend three months finding them or seven minutes.
Ready to skip the research marathon? Our preference survey shows you which current plans match your priorities, contract timeline, and usage patterns in minutes, not months—no pressure to decide immediately, just clear information when you're ready to choose.
[Find My Options →]
In Alberta's electricity market, your contract expiration isn't the end of something—it's the beginning of a better deal.
Ready to Find Your Perfect Plan?
See how our personalized approach can simplify your electricity decision in just a few minutes.