How to connect electricity and water in your new home?

Connecting electricity and water in a new home in Calgary is a fairly straightforward process, but it requires following a specific sequence of steps and interacting with various organizations. The key point to understand is that in Calgary, ENMAX not only supplies electricity but also acts as a bill collector for city services, including water, sewer, and garbage collection. This means that a single bill from ENMAX can cover all your basic utilities, greatly simplifying the payment management process.

Preparing for connection

The initial preparation stage is very important to avoid delays. It is recommended to begin the connection process at least 2–4 weeks before your planned move-in date, especially if it is a new construction or a property that has been vacant for a long time. New construction or major renovations may require more time due to the need to obtain permits and coordinate with inspectors.

ENMAX offers a convenient online platform and telephone support to arrange all necessary services. Customers can log in online or call:

  • 310-2010 (within Alberta)
  • 1-877-571-7111 (outside Alberta)

The process includes not only electricity, but also water, sewer, storm water management, and garbage collection, making ENMAX a one-stop shop for utility services.

Electricity connection

For existing homes

  1. Obtain a Site Identification number (Site ID) — the first step for a new connection or service upgrade.
  2. Prepare:
  • Contact information
  • Address
  • Type of service and building
  • Electrical characteristics (voltage, amperage, phases, number of wires)
  • Permit number
  1. Select an energy retailer (list available at UCA Helps).
  2. Register your new Site ID through your selected retailer (up to 48 hours for availability in the system).

New connections and upgrades

  • You must obtain an electrical permit (an electrician can help).
  • Check ENMAX infrastructure for capacity and access.
  • Consider requirements for in-city homes (service ≤200 amps).
  • Contact ENMAX early in the project.

Water and sewer connections

City services through ENMAX

ENMAX Customer Care bills for:

  • Wastewater collection and treatment
  • Water treatment and supply
  • Stormwater management (fixed fee)
  • Waste and recycling (fixed fee)

Water usage is recorded by city water meters and transmitted to ENMAX. For questions, call 310-2010.

New connections

  • Performed by licensed contractors (e.g., Fourwest Trenchless Water and Sewer Solutions Ltd.).
  • Steps:
  1. Site assessment (layout, elevation, distance to utilities)
  2. System design
  3. Obtaining permits
  • The owner or builder is responsible for connecting the property to the building.

Natural gas connection

ATCO Gas procedure

  • Serves most areas of Calgary.
  • 6 steps to connect (apply online via Quick Connect).
  • Services:
  • New connection
  • Changes to existing lines
  • Removal/disconnection/reconnection
  • Secondary line installation
  • For the city, submit your application at least 4–6 weeks in advance; for rural areas, up to 3 months in advance.
  • You must provide:
  • Site plan with address
  • Legal description
  • Total building area
  • Gas load of appliances
  • Estimated completion date
  • Contact person

Calgary has a well-established utility connection system. Advance planning, knowledge of suppliers and requirements will help you avoid delays and quickly ensure comfort in your new home.

Property and installation requirements

Completing certain requirements will ensure quick installation of natural gas service. The street address must be clearly marked and visible from the road. The property must be within 150 mm of the final grade, and the foundation walls must be backfilled. All private utilities within the property lines must be located and clearly marked.

The location of the gas standpipe must be clearly marked on the building, and the service line route must be cleared of soil, building materials, and other debris to allow for gas installation. All other underground utilities must be installed. Once you have received credit from your chosen energy supplier and all conditions have been met, ATCO Gas will install a meter.

Additional utilities

Internet and television

Calgary is served by several major internet and television service providers. Rogers (together with Shaw) offers lightning-fast home internet plans with download speeds of up to 1 or 1.5 gigabits per second, suitable for connecting 16+ devices simultaneously. Their equipment features the latest WiFi technology for whole-home coverage.

TELUS is also a major competitor, offering Simple Switch for a hassle-free transition from your current internet, TV, or home phone provider to a TELUS plan of your choice. The process involves three simple steps: select a plan, provide your current provider's account number to transfer your bill, and enjoy Canada's most reliable network with no interruptions or service downtime.

Shaw Direct offers satellite TV with over 350 HD channels plus Pay Per View. Basic installation is free for at least the first receiver for qualified customers with approved credit. Installation fees apply for additional receivers, additional locations, and non-qualified customers.

Insurance and Protection

An important aspect of connecting to utilities is ensuring you have adequate insurance coverage. Electrical service in some Calgary homes may not be covered by insurance, especially in older homes with 60-amp service. Hundreds of homeowners in Calgary may face unexpected bills for upgrading old electrical lines.

Most home insurance policies do not cover utility lines, but some insurers offer an add-on that allows coverage for certain risks to the lines. Service Line Coverage, also sometimes called Buried Utility (BU) Coverage, extends coverage beyond the walls of your home, protecting against losses to buried utility lines and service lines. In many cases, the homeowner is responsible for the failure of these lines between the home and the street connector.

Practical tips and recommendations

Planning and coordination

Effective planning is key to successfully connecting all utilities. The first step is to make a list of all the services and utility companies you use. It's easy to forget the little things when you're moving, but utilities are not something you want to overlook. In addition to electricity and natural gas, don't forget about water, internet, and television.

It is recommended to start the process in advance and communicate with your utility company about your move. It may take several days or weeks for the utility company to process your request, so it is important to start this process as early as possible. This way, you can be sure that your service will be transferred without any problems.

Consolidate services and save money

ENMAX offers the option of consolidating all services into one bill, which greatly simplifies utility management. Many users report that ENMAX will set everything up for you if you want to receive a single bill for water, gas, electricity, sewage, etc. This is especially convenient for those who are moving from another province and want to minimize administrative work.

When choosing an energy provider, it is worth considering both current and fixed rates. The current trend is to switch to fixed rates for both gas and electricity, as floating rates have been problematic in recent years. However, it is important to understand that fixed rates in Alberta do not mean long-term commitments — you can change your plan every 30 days regardless of whether it is a floating or fixed rate.

Update your mailing address and make sure there are no outstanding balances with previous utility companies. Most utility companies will send your final bill to your new mailing address, so be sure to update this information with your utility company. If you have any outstanding balances with a utility company, make sure they are paid before you move, or you may be responsible for paying these fees at your new address.

Connecting electricity and water in your new home in Calgary is a well-organized process thanks to the centralized role of ENMAX in municipal utility billing and the availability of structured procedures at major providers. Key factors for success include early planning, understanding the roles of different organizations, and taking advantage of service consolidation opportunities to simplify utility bill management. The right approach will ensure a smooth transition to your new home with all the necessary amenities.