Direct Energy Reviews

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About Direct Energy

Direct Energy is an electricity and natural gas provider that services homes and businesses in select states and territories. The company offers online bill pay options and smart home bundles.

Featured Reviews

Fort Bend, TX
Verified purchase
Direct Energy wasn't as high in cost as the other companies at that time, so I didn't have to pay as many. I signed up for two years in the Fort Bend area, west side of Houston. T...

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Dallas, TX
Verified purchase
...We used Reliant prior and I prefer Direct Energy over them. Our bills have been way less than when we were with the other provider and I have no complaints. Also, I haven't had...

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What is Direct Energy?

Direct Energy is one of North America's top providers of electricity, natural gas and other energy-related products, including water heater rentals and warranties, for both businesses and homes. It offers protection, maintenance and repairs for all its appliances and systems, as well as easy-to-use software that helps track and control energy usage.

Direct Energy is a Texas-based company and serves a large population in Houston and Dallas. Not only does it give you the tools you need to be energy-savvy — it also prioritizes environmental sustainability and donates to various outreach organizations in the community, including Texas Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Miracle Network.

Direct Energy plans

Buying energy can be a confusing process, but Direct Energy can help simplify electricity and natural gas purchases. The company offers contracts ranging from 12 to 36 months. On its website you’ll find available natural gas and electricity-based energy plans, with four electricity options you can customize:

  • Fixed-rate plan: This plan creates a consistent bill based on a customized contract and offers protection from changes in energy market prices. Your price will stay the same for the duration of your agreement.
  • Variable-rate plan: This plan doesn’t offer a set rate or contract term. Instead, it’s based on a month-to-month basis. You can cancel your service at any time, but your rates will fluctuate with the market.
  • Smart home offers: This electricity plan is bundled with smart home devices like the Echo Dot.
  • Free electricity plan: This is a time-of-use plan that offers some free electricity depending on your daily and weekly energy usage.

For natural gas, Direct Energy offers only a fixed-rate plan in some locations.

Direct Energy rates

Direct Energy provides competitive electricity and natural gas prices in its service area. Although its rates constantly fluctuate due to the nature of the energy market, its electricity costs seem to settle around $0.109/kWh for the 36-month plan and $0.118/kWh for the lower-tier 12-month plan. All its electric and natural gas plans come with a $4.95 base charge.

Direct Energy FAQ

Does Direct Energy offer month-to-month plans?

Yes, it offers variable rate plans for electricity (but not for natural gas).

Does Direct Energy offer natural gas plans?

Yes, Direct Energy offers fixed-rate natural gas plans in select states.

Where is Direct Energy available?

It’s available in 15 U.S. locations — Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Washington, D.C. — as well as three in Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario.

Can I pay my Direct Energy bill online?

Yes, you can manage your account online and pay your bill through the easy-to-use website.

Is Direct Energy legit?

Direct Energy is a legitimate energy provider that supplies over 6 million homes in the U.S. and Canada with natural gas and electricity. Its award-winning service is likely to meet your energy needs, and its competitive rates and upfront pricing make it worth considering if you’re looking for a new provider.

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Direct Energy Reviews

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    Page 1 Reviews 0 - 10
    Customer Service

    Reviewed March 24, 2025

    Beware! We had a one time contract with Direct Energy. It expired, was automatically renewed without our knowledge and then again with fraudulent contracts by Broker Online Exchange and Powerhouse Energy, Jenna Nearhouse. Fake emails, e-signed documents, and HUGE charges over what Comed would have charged us for supply. We are a small business and this has been devastating to discover. Their highly unprofessional response has left us with no other choice than to hire an attorney to file formal complaints. Really astounding that such a large company can get away with fraud.

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    Customer ServiceStaff

    Reviewed March 20, 2025

    Sales people came to my door, and were very pushy and not honest about how to fill out the paperwork. I was told to answer "yes" to all questions, including whether they had already left. They told me I would not be switching energy companies/suppliers and that they were from the City. But they still had me answer yes to the question on an automated call. These were lies. Even if the rate for my gas was better, I do not feel comfortable doing business with this company. Avoid this company and its services.

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      Customer Service

      Reviewed March 18, 2025

      My 91 year old mother is sitting at home with no electricity. Because of a billing dispute. Direct Energy wants people to use wireless billing. But she has always gotten a paper bill and she keeps her records in order. Her lights were turned off for non payment. After going through her bills we found that not only had she paid the bill but a week later she paid an extra $400 on that bill. Now Direct Energy is telling us she going to have to go without power for a few days until they can review there files. Who does that to the elderly.

      We have the receipts with the reference numbers but they can't do anything to resolve this issue right now. She paid out almost $1000 in the of a week and they had the nerve to ask for another $143 as a reason for disconnecting the electricity. And according to Direct Energy this dispute is going to take a few days. And in that time she will have to go without electricity. With this Texas heat. How hard is it for them to check her payment history over the phone. Her papers are in order an overpayment has been made. I find it hard to believe that they can't refund the amount over and turn her electricity back on. I just to out done by this whole situation.

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      Customer ServiceStaff

      Reviewed March 4, 2025

      Very bad experience. The phone rep kept going in and on about some eco program when all I wanted to do was to get my power hooked up so I could cook. They then stated that it would take two WEEKs to have power - this was after being on hold at various points for an hour or more. Save yourself any trouble and go elsewhere!

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      Reviewed Feb. 10, 2025

      I have used Direct Energy for many years in the winter as a winter Texan. But this year I was overcharged for the month of November. My usage spiked way high for some unknown reason. I'm by myself so there is no reason that it happened. All other months are normal. They sent someone out to check the meter and they said it was fine. I tried to contest it but they would just shut off my electricity. Which they did today I was forced to pay. There no justification for why my bill was so high that month. This will be the final year I ever use this company.

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      Punctuality & Speed

      Reviewed Jan. 28, 2025

      Senior citizen with limited income, my bills are late, but paid. Recently asked for deferred and/or extension and was told NO because I had to many previous issues. Well damn any company will give you at least one month behind.

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      Customer ServicePriceStaff

      Reviewed Jan. 28, 2025

      Direct Energy is the worst company I have ever experienced!!! Their customer service includes long wait times, rude reps, people who are hard to understand and it is hard for them to understand what you may be talking about. If you want someone higher than a manager, forget that they will never let you talk to one. I had a rep come to my door and list a certain price but it was a lie. They charged me a higher price and never fixed it. I decided to go to a different energy company. Direct energy is now making me pay a full cancellation fee even though I was lied to about the price. This company does not care about its customers. You will be charged so much money that it is ridiculous.

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      Customer ServiceContract & Terms

      Reviewed Jan. 28, 2025

      Tonight 2 gentlemen from Direct Energy came to my door saying my gas and electric bills have been rising and they have tried contacting us my mail and phone to renew our Direct Energy agreement. I have never used Direct Energy but I let him continue. He asked did I get my gas and electric bills by mail or email and then stated they could wait while I got my paper copy or my cell phone to access it online. He said it would only take a minute to process to keep my rates low. This was a slamming tactic to see my bill and get my account number. I said I wasn't interested, he was insistent that it would just take a minute or they could return in a hour if that would be easier. Again I'm not interested and went inside. Beware, they try to make you think you're already a customer and are trying to get access to your account number. Deceptive practices.

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      Reviewed Jan. 21, 2025

      I switched to Direct and from the first bill there were extra charges and they always blamed me. Last month there were $87.00 extra charges and when I talked to them they would blame it on me and told me that it was not coming off. I told them I was leaving and they said ok So I switch to another company that I had great service with from the past. After I switched Direct kept calling me and trying to get me to come back and offered to reimburse some fees if I came back. But if not they wanted to put an early cancellation fee of $295 for two months left for switching. I switched and will never use them again. I prefer to spend extra money on my kids than to give it to a company that won't fix issues unless you come back to them.

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      Reviewed Jan. 18, 2025

      Very bad experience after paying balanced billing settlement, I didn’t save a dime using Direct Energy. Avoid this company! They never explained why I owed them a 377 dollar billing settlement one month after I paid 100 dollars for a balanced billing charge. Trying to save a little money with them certainly didn’t work out.

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      Direct Energy Company Information

      Company Name:
      Direct Energy
      Year Founded:
      1986
      State/Province:
      TX
      Country:
      United States
      Website:
      www.directenergy.com