About Direct Energy Electricity Service
About Direct Energy
Direct Energy was founded in Toronto in 1986, as a competitive energy retailer. In 2000, the company was acquired by the British multinational energy and services company, Centrica.
In 2010, Direct Energy acquired Clockwork Home Services and its three brands: One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, and Mister Sparky (electrical services). As a result, Direct is now the largest energy and home services retailer in North America. The company has grown to roughly 4,000 employees serving over 4 million customers in North America, including 10 Canadian provinces and all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Direct Energy provides retail electricity and natural gas services in 15 states. Texas is by far one of Direct Energy's most important markets. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Direct operates several retail electricity brands that include Direct Energy and First Choice Power. In South Texas, Direct Energy operates as CPL Retail Energy and CPL Business. In West Texas, Direct Energy operates as WTU Retail Energy and WTU Business.
Direct Energy purchased Bounce Energy and First Choice Energy in 2013. Direct retired the Bounce Energy in September, 2019 and transferred those customers to Direct Energy. Meanwhile, First Choice is still active in Texas.
In May, 2019, Direct Energy completed the $300 million sale of Clockwork Home Services and certain of its affiliates to Authority Brands. Currently, Direct Energy's subsidiary, Home Warranty of America, provides home warrantee and service plans that utilizes local repair providers.
Direct Energy Plans
Direct Energy does not currently have any plans available on our site.
However, our Rate Comparison Page will let you compare plans and rates from other providers in the Direct Energy region.
Alternatives to Direct Energy Electricity Plans in Centerpoint
| Company | Term | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 4Change Energy | 24/months | 12.1¢/kWh |
| Gexa Energy | 24/months | 12.1¢/kWh |
| Frontier Utilities | 24/months | 12.1¢/kWh |
| Rhythm | 9/months | 12.8¢/kWh |
| Constellation | 12/months | 12.9¢/kWh |
| Reliant | 24/months | 13.9¢/kWh |
| Cirro Energy | 24/months | 13.9¢/kWh |
| Veteran Energy | 36/months | 14.7¢/kWh |
| Energy Texas | 18/months | 14.8¢/kWh |
| TXU Energy | 12/months | 14.9¢/kWh |
Alternatives to Direct Energy Electricity Plans in Oncor
| Company | Term | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 4Change Energy | 24/months | 11.1¢/kWh |
| Gexa Energy | 24/months | 11.1¢/kWh |
| Frontier Utilities | 24/months | 11.1¢/kWh |
| Veteran Energy | 36/months | 12.5¢/kWh |
| Rhythm | 9/months | 12.5¢/kWh |
| Cirro Energy | 24/months | 12.9¢/kWh |
| Constellation | 12/months | 12.9¢/kWh |
| Reliant | 24/months | 13.5¢/kWh |
| TXU Energy | 12/months | 13.9¢/kWh |
| Energy Texas | 18/months | 13.9¢/kWh |
Alternatives to Direct Energy Electricity Plans in TNMP
| Company | Term | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 4Change Energy | 12/months | 13.6¢/kWh |
| Gexa Energy | 24/months | 13.6¢/kWh |
| Frontier Utilities | 24/months | 13.6¢/kWh |
| Rhythm | 9/months | 13.7¢/kWh |
| Reliant | 24/months | 14.9¢/kWh |
| Cirro Energy | 24/months | 14.9¢/kWh |
| Veteran Energy | 24/months | 15.0¢/kWh |
| BKV Energy | 36/months | 15.1¢/kWh |
| TXU Energy | 12/months | 15.5¢/kWh |
| Champion Energy Services | 24/months | 15.9¢/kWh |
Alternatives to Direct Energy Electricity Plans in AEP Central
| Company | Term | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 4Change Energy | 24/months | 11.8¢/kWh |
| Gexa Energy | 24/months | 11.8¢/kWh |
| Frontier Utilities | 24/months | 11.8¢/kWh |
| Rhythm | 9/months | 12.6¢/kWh |
| Energy Texas | 18/months | 14.0¢/kWh |
| Veteran Energy | 36/months | 14.1¢/kWh |
| TXU Energy | 12/months | 14.5¢/kWh |
| Champion Energy Services | 24/months | 14.9¢/kWh |
| Constellation | 12/months | 14.9¢/kWh |
| GoodCharlie Energy | 48/months | 15.0¢/kWh |
Alternatives to Direct Energy Electricity Plans in AEP North
| Company | Term | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 4Change Energy | 12/months | 11.8¢/kWh |
| Gexa Energy | 24/months | 11.8¢/kWh |
| Frontier Utilities | 24/months | 11.8¢/kWh |
| Veteran Energy | 36/months | 13.1¢/kWh |
| Rhythm | 9/months | 13.3¢/kWh |
| TXU Energy | 12/months | 14.5¢/kWh |
| Reliant | 24/months | 14.5¢/kWh |
| Champion Energy Services | 24/months | 14.7¢/kWh |
| Cirro Energy | 24/months | 14.9¢/kWh |
| BKV Energy | 36/months | 15.3¢/kWh |
Direct Energy Customer Reviews
LOVE DIRECT ENERGY
MY PLAN EXPIRED 2 MONTHS AGO AND I DID NOT REALIZE IT UNTIL I GOT A HUGE BILL. THEY HELPED ME GET A NEW RATE AND RE-BILLED AT THE LOWER RATE. I HAVE BEEN WITH THEM 11 YEARS AND WOULD NOT CHANGE DUE TO THEIR AWESOME CUSTOMER SERVICE!!
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Understanding Direct Energy's Rates and Plans
Direct Energy EFL: Variable and Fixed Rates
How much Direct Energy plans cost you depends mostly on whether the plan's rate is variable or fixed. Because the market rate for electricity changes constantly, Direct Energy can change the rate for their variable rate plans at any time and for any reason. Their variable rate EFL spells it out in clear black and white: “This price is the price that will be applied during your first billing cycle; this price may change in subsequent months at the sole discretion of Direct Energy.”
Fixed rate plans, however, have fixed prices. Once you agree to a fixed rate plan, the contract keeps the price for your energy charge constant throughout the term of the contract.
How the Right Energy Plan and Rate Saves You Money Variable rate plans tend to be great conveniences for short term periods, especially when you need a little more time or flexibility. For example, if you're moving or if you're between plans and you want extra time to shop for the best fixed rate, then signing onto a month-to-month variable plan with a low introductory rate can save you money. BUT remember that this introductory rate usually only applies for your first month. Since you're only using the month-to-month plan to give you extra time to shop, then you want to switch to a fixed rate electricity plan by the end of the month. Otherwise, the rate on your month-to-month plan jumps up to the going rate and your next bill doubles.
Electricity prices change constantly and can be unpredictable. During periods of extreme weather, like winter and especially summer, having a variable or fixed rate plan can either cost you or save you hundreds of dollars. That's because high energy demand causes the energy charge rate per kWh to rise, sometimes suddenly. Customers with variable rate plans could see Direct Energy's energy charges shoot up from 9 cents per kWh to 20 cents or more from one month to the next. Meanwhile, customers with fixed rate plans face no additional costs because the price for their Direct Energy fixed rate plan was locked-in ahead of time.
Direct Energy's Average Energy Charges
According to Direct plan EFLs, energy charges for fixed rate plans tend to run approximately 7.5 cents to 13.8 cents per kWh. All plans also come with a $4.95 base. On the whole, Direct's energy charge rates are straight-forward and fairly competitive with few “fine print” gimmicks when compared to their competitors.
Like other providers' “free” electricity plans, customers need to carefully consider their usage and their habits when it comes to Direct Energy's free weekend plans. Part of the sales pitch is that even though a third estimated consumption is on weekends, customers who shift and adapt their usage further can save money. While that may be somewhat true, the fact is that the plan's energy charges are as much 2 to 3 times higher than average during the week. And since these plans are usually offered in 12 month fixed rate or longer terms, it's certain that for several months in the year your heating and air conditioning could take a big chomp out of any potential weekend savings. As with all of these types of plans, it's up to the customer to be mindful and control their usage in order to reap the savings.
As always, Customers need to read plan EFLs carefully and fully understand how a plan's pricing works before signing up for it.