The cost to run a NAS in Alberta
By Devin Chua · Data checked by Owen Nakamura · Updated · Prices checked A NAS drawing 40 W around the clock (350 kWh a year) costs about CA$42 a year in energy charges on Alberta's Rate of Last Resort, 12.02¢/kWh fixed from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2026 in Direct Energy Regulated Services areas. Delivery and administration charges are separate and are a large part of an Alberta bill; a retailer contract has its own price.
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The calculator is pre-set to Alberta; the rate is editable, and its source and dates are shown under it.
156 kWh/year · 18 W average at the wall
Electricity charge only: 156 kWh × 12.02¢. Delivery, regulatory charges and taxes not included.
The same NAS costs about CA$7.71/year more here than in Quebec (7.065¢/kWh): the cheapest place in Canada to run it.
A UPS adds a few percent loss but protects against the far costlier unclean shutdown. Annual figures use your current rate, drive count and active hours.
Alberta's default rate is now fixed for two years
On January 1, 2025 the Rate of Last Resort replaced the old Regulated Rate Option, which used to move month to month. It is a fixed price set every two years for customers who have not chosen a retailer. Direct Energy Regulated Services charges 12.02¢/kWh until December 31, 2026; EPCOR and ENMAX publish their own Rate of Last Resort for their areas. If you are on a retailer contract, use the energy price on your bill instead.
Fixed or floating, for an always-on load
Competitive retailers offer fixed-price contracts and floating prices that follow the market. A NAS is a small, constant load, so the choice matters more for your whole bill than for the NAS. If you want a predictable NAS figure, a fixed price gives you one; the calculator takes whatever price your contract states.
What the figure includes, and how to cut it
These are electricity (energy) charges only: delivery, regulatory charges, the fixed daily or monthly charge and taxes are not included, and the fixed charges are not caused by the NAS, so they are not spread over it.
At 12.02¢/kWh a 40 W NAS is about CA$42 a year and a 60 W six-bay array about CA$63. Fewer, larger drives and an efficient NAS are the levers. The Rate of Last Resort is due to be reset for January 1, 2027; the calculator flags the default when that date passes.
Compare with other provinces
Frequently asked questions
How much does a NAS cost to run in Alberta?
About CA$42 a year in energy charges for a NAS drawing 40 W around the clock, at Direct Energy's Rate of Last Resort of 12.02¢/kWh. Delivery and administration charges are separate. On a retailer contract, enter your contract price in the calculator.
What is Alberta's Rate of Last Resort?
The default electricity rate for Albertans who have not chosen a retailer. It replaced the Regulated Rate Option on January 1, 2025 and is fixed for two years: 12.02¢/kWh in Direct Energy Regulated Services areas until December 31, 2026. EPCOR and ENMAX set their own.
Should I get a fixed or floating electricity plan for a homelab?
A fixed price makes a NAS's running cost predictable; a floating price can be cheaper in soft markets and dearer in tight ones. The NAS is a small constant load, so the decision matters most for your whole bill.
Is Alberta an expensive place to run a NAS?
On energy charges alone, Alberta's default rate of 12.02¢/kWh sits in the middle of the provinces we track: above Quebec and Manitoba, below Saskatchewan and the Maritimes. Alberta's delivery charges, which are not included here, add a lot to a typical bill.
Devin Chua works out which drives, RAM and NVMe cache fit which NAS model at nasdrives.ca, and what the RAID choice means for usable capacity, checked against what is in stock on Amazon.ca.
Data checked by Owen Nakamura, Technical editor (data checking)