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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
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...
Read full review...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...
Read full reviewWhat 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.
Direct Energy Reviews
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Reviewed Oct. 1, 2023
Switching from Direct Energy. They have overcharged me for the last 3 months. My bill went up 30% and I am in a contract so it didn't lapse. I have renewed with them several times over the past several years. I have been with them since they took over from Bounce Energy so from the beginning. They shouldn't treat their loyal clientele like this. I emailed them and they offered to "explain" the bill. I don't need an explanation, I need a cheaper bill. I will have a cancelation fee but cest la vie, that's life. I'm not paying a company who rips off their loyal customers. I found a much cheaper company at comparepower.com. I am optimistic for my new company but very disappointed in Direct Energy.
Reviewed Aug. 30, 2023
I am currently and for the last four years a customer of Direct Energy. I didn't have any problems with them in the first years with them. I was on a month-to-month plan so I kinda watched the bill. I don't remember any patterns to it but every once in a while I would look at the bill and think that seems too high? Then I would check months before and find yes they raised the rate this month and this month to my surprise. After seeing the rate go up, I would call them and call them out on my rates. Then as if they already knew why I was calling, "Oh yes that high, let me see what rate I can get for you." Shortly after I am at a rate that I feel is reasonable but it is just a little higher than where I began. I don't write reviews. This is my first one. I can't really type. I understand rates go up, that makes perfect sense. Everything is costing more.
I continue to be a loyal customer. Calling them out when I see rate go up, but never did I see a message of any kind warning me of the increase, or even informing me. It was like they tried to sneak it by, if I didn't notice, more for them. This back and forth goes on for a while, my rate going up each time but now I am comparing prices just to make sure they are fair market price. This brings us to about 18 months ago when I see Direct Energy offering free power nights and weekends I thought. I talked with sales person and they never corrected me at all. I am interested in the nights and weekend plan I tell them. Oh yes and away they go informing me of all the details but the fact that it is free nights OR weekends.
Every time saying free nights AND weekends when they spoke. Is there any questions about this plan? I remember so clearly. I thought to myself yeah let's go with this one, it sounds good, I can just adjust my usage like they suggested I do and I will save a lot. I then ask, "Did you tell me what is or if there is a cancellation fee?" I can never forget the answer I was told. They said, "There is NO cancellation fee if you move." I was in thought for a moment. I repeated what was told to me in my head. That doesn't answer my question so I just asked it differently. What is the cancellation fee. They replied with the same answer then went on talking about whatever. When I found a opening, I asked, "How much does it cost if I cancel and don't move?" That worked, I was told $200 this time.
It will not matter, this plan is for 18 months and it sounds perfect for me. I agree to the free nights AND weekends plan. They set me up with the free nights AND weekends plan, every everything worked out great. Hahahahaha I got my first bill and quickly figured out there is no nights AND weekends plan, it is one OR the other. Thankfully I was signed up with the free nights. I adjusted my schedule and my habits such as washing/drying laundry, washing dishes, and anything that used a lot of power. It was not easy at first, but I got used to it. It was a good plan.
My home would use, I will directly look at the numbers on my bill. According to my bill from Direct Energy, I used never under 1000kWh and sometimes up to 2400kWh, I don't disagree with these facts at all. I am looking at bill for 03/10/2023 right now, I see 1,164kWh for Nov/Dec bill, and 2,326kWh for Jan/Feb bill. These are facts. I feel like I did very well with this plan. My bill was up to over $600 on some months but I used most of that power on the free hours of the day. I could not get the bill very much below $200. To be clear for 18 months I felt like I was winning this rate struggle with Direct Energy. I had to adjust, but my bill was $200 give or take every month, even with some months being 2,400kWh the free hours were taken off the bill. This brings us about a week ago. I was not sure what day my plan ended but I knew it was soon or just passed?
On August 22, 2023 I call to see how much I owe them, pay them, see if I am early or late to pick a new plan, and pick a new plan. My first question is how much do I owe? I want to pay all of it, start fresh. The woman tells me $274.95. Almost $300 so I think that is a month and two weeks. I asked to pay everything up to this point, she told me this, I paid it. I then went into the plans, hoping to get the same plan again. I could get the same plan again but my rate would go from .221248/kWh with free power from 9pm to 9am to the new rate for that plan for me, the 4 years of loyalty rate of .272159/kWh with free power from 9 to 9. Here I go again giving the benefit of the doubt, things go up.
I agree and everything goes smooth I think till today. It is August 30th now, I started this on the 29th. Before my long day at work I called to speak with Direct Energy about a bill I got that I thought was a welcome letter to my new plan I picked just 7 days before, but no, it was a bill for$399,46? After speaking to them I didn't feel any better about it.
They billed me invoice date of 08/23/2023 for 7/24/2023 to 08/22/2023 at my new rate as they explained to me because that time period was not in contract and would be even higher if they didn't. So basically I got a bill for 7 days for $400. I accept this new information, but I am not happy. I feel like I was lied to and I did so well with the plan they wanted their money back. I tried to see what other plans were open to me in this first call and the ONLY other one was average billing. I am sorry but this is not the end. I call again, explained what was going on and they told me to hold and they would see what was an option for me. 5 or so minutes they return with average billing. I tell them, "No thank you."
"Then ask to be clear, you said the average bill for the last 12 months would be my rate, is that the amount I paid (my bill) like I was told, or do you mean the average amount of power I used in the last 12 months?" You guessed it like I did, it would be based on the average amount of power I used in the last 12 months. This is why I am writing the review. The wording when talking to Direct Energy employees is worded to mislead you. This is a fact. How much was the cancellation fee? There is NO cancellation fee, wrong that is only if you move. Night and weekends, wrong it is night or weekends. These are only the ones I have for you. I am sure they tricked me so many times with the clever wording. I will finish this soon. But I want you to know whoever makes it this far, they don't care, and why would they? It is a company that will mislead you, fact.
They will do all they can to get as much as possible out of you. Back to the end of this. In my second call to them I explain the situation and the guy was very helpful he removed a late fee? I don't have a clue where from of $13.75 well that should fix everything. The first time he put me on hold he had nothing available to me other than what I already knew. We were saying our thank yous and goodbyes when I hear, "We appreciate your 4 years with us." My reply was, "I can't tell by the way you do your billing." Then he says, "Let me see what I can do." "What do you mean? You did that already at the first of the call?" I say. I am put on hold for this time a lot longer, I didn't time it but I would guess 10 to 12 minutes. Then sure enough he found another plan. It was a game, like buying a car at a dealership. I was told I could change my plan to a different one.
This one he offers me, but I will have to pay the $200 fee for canceling my changeable plan just minutes before. The end I called another provider but I am sure they will not be able to use my meter until I pay Direct Energy for what is actually 7 days of service, from the 22nd when I paid off my entire debt to them, to what is now yesterday the 29th, a bill of if I have not been lied to again $399.46 minus $13.75 = $385.71 plus $200 cancel fee. so 7 days = $585.71 If I had to guess that is probably everything I saved over the last 18 months, lol my advice with electric providers is find the best plan every time.
Your loyalty to them will only get deeper in your pocket. Don't stay for 4 years and leave with a almost $600 bill for 7 days. Take the promotion that you like the best, and then take the one you like the best again with no thought as to who the provider is. It does not matter, all of the power comes from Oncor for me. The provider is just a middleman trying to make as much as possible. Good luck. Enjoy the game, and listen clearly.
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Reviewed March 27, 2023
This is the worst utility company ever. I don't recommend to sign with it as you can tell most of the clients are not happy with this company and when you look at their rates you will see the rate is 5 stars. Somebody obviously is cheating the reviews system within. They will sign you up for 2 or 3 years but they will bail out after 35 months so they can send a sky high bill. Be careful if you switch the company. They send you a cancellation fees bill and make you double pay the last bill amount and send it to collection dept.
Reviewed Jan. 30, 2023
I recently found out from a reputable source, that I may have been scammed into paying too much per month. I was told to get legal counsel, someone to check into this, possible lawsuit. Ask anyone else you know who may have them as their supplier to also do the same. Maybe class action.

Reviewed Dec. 31, 2022
I own a house. **. I do not live in this house. It is a rental house. They put a switch hold on because a tenant did not pay his bill. For 3 weeks we have been trying to get it removed. I have sent everything they've asked. I even received an email stating switch hold removed. Now I have new tenants trying to move in. They went through their provider to transfer service to the address. Cannot turn power on because Direct Energy put the switch hold back on. These people had to cancel their movers and they're about to be homeless because of direct energy. For 3 weeks I have been sending them everything they needed to remove the switch hold prior to renting out the property. I did not want new tenants to have to go through this. It is not right what they're doing. They've blocked my rental house from being rented, They are causing my new tenants to possibly go homeless, They have been sent everything they have asked for over the last 3 weeks.
My deed, my note, they wanted a copy of the previous tenant's lease. They have received everything they need to remove the switch hold. If this is not illegal it should be. The news needs to know about this. The people need to know about this. This is a company that does not care. I have tenants that have nowhere to go because of direct energy. Again direct energy even emailed me and said switch hold was removed after I sent them a copy of my deed to show I own the house and I'm not the one that owed the money. Now they decide to put the switch all back on. They're totally messing up innocent people. That is not right. Today I even tried to find out what my previous tenant owed. I was just going to pay it. Then take them to court to get my money back. They wouldn't even give me that information because I'm not on the account,. So there is no way I can get my new tenants in my house. Wes **
Reviewed Nov. 5, 2022
I think this company is absolutely great. But then again I signed up with Direct Energy through UES. As long as you have some form of broker signing you up, you get a great low price that doesn't move with inflation. My price is fixed and nothing about my bill changed. Can't argue with the results. I usually would never write a positive review about an energy company, but I felt it was necessary to write one since I read all these reviews before signing up with them and I have had nothing but positives to say.
Reviewed Aug. 13, 2022
I signed up for the 2-month free Electricity Plan. I was going over my billing to try and find my 2 free months. Because I had a credit with them thru the TRR Program. I could not find 1 month with a $0,00 on it. I called and spoke with a supervisor. The actual power is the only thing free, not the services or the delivery of the power! Nothing but the Jules used, Not the kilowatts. This is the same for the free weekends plan and any other so-called free plans. So, Do Not Assume that they are free the more that you use, the delivery of that power is charged per kilowatt and the rental of the service to provide the power to your home is charged and the tax on the free power is also charged on your bill.
My bills are around 225-250 a month and for the 2 free months, I was given a $102.00 credit for the power! That is for both months, not each month. SO FYI: They are using bait advertising without transparency of actual billing. Nowadays I guess false advertising, Trap Contracts, and Bait and switch deals are ethical and accepted. Less on Customer Care and Service and more on The Buyer Beware. JUST SAYIN'!
Julie B
Reviewed June 27, 2022
Have been a customer with Direct Energy for years. Never had a problem with them and for the most part reasonable in price. However, I caught an overcharge they have been billing me for the past 2 months, and I called them out on it. At first they were going to refund the amount and I paid my original bill amount. Few days later I receive a text that my electricity is going to be turned off because of a balance I owed. It was the balance they overcharged me for, and are making me pay this amount and then will be credited to my account for the next bill cycle. I should of never been charged to begin with. Now I'm having to pay for their error just so they can credit it back to my account. Makes no sense. They charged me this fee for 2 months without me knowing it. I don't appreciate it. And I will be looking for another electric provider.
Reviewed June 13, 2022
I have a condo that I decided to rent out and the tenants are responsible for setting up their own account. I received a bill under my name from Direct Energy. I contacted them and disputed the account set up and charges and had my tenants set up their own account. When I contacted their office to dispute the charges and set up I was told I would be called back. How can an account be set up without the consent of a person. That never happened and I received another bill. Then I contacted them again and provided them with the account number for my tenants to have the amount owing transferred to them. That did not happen so then I received another bill, called again to be told that this would be resolved and that I would not be charged and that my account would be closed.
Fast forward another month and I start getting calls from their collection agency which would hear nothing I would have to say and said my dispute was denied. If I did not pay by a set date that it would show up on my credit score. This has been extremely frustrating and I am out of pocket with no support to the matter. A person should not have accounts set up without their knowledge, concerns should be addressed. Would never recommend this company to anyone.
Reviewed April 15, 2022
Had their service for 2 years and was treated well. I was set up for paperless billing and auto pay. But when I switched to a different provider, they locked out my account so I could not see my final bill. Then they kept charging my account saying I had not paid. My attached Account was charged multiple times with the 3 months' previous amounts and they kept adding fees for 4 more months. If you are going to force folks to do Online business DO NOT lock the Account. I will not use this service or recommend to anyone because of this practice.
Direct Energy Company Information
- Company Name:
- Direct Energy
- Year Founded:
- 1986
- State/Province:
- TX
- Country:
- United States
- Website:
- www.directenergy.com
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