Direct Energy Plans, Rates, and Reviews

Power your home or business with a Direct Energy plan that fits your needs.

Written by Christine Orlando | Reviewed By Luis Luna
Last updated July 12, 2025

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Direct Energy is a major provider in North America known for its digital tools, home-service bundles, and plan diversity. With 24/7 help, it’s a strong choice if you value renewable options, stable rates, and attentive customer service.

Est. Year

1986

Service Areas

Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Washington DC

Plan Types

Fixed Rate, Bill Credit, Variable Rate, Time-of-Use, Solar Buyback, Renewable

Customer Service Hours

24/7 | Small Business: Monday – Friday from 7:00am – 7:00pm CT

Direct Energy Electricity Rates

Electricity Rates through Direct Energy will vary based on your location, plan type, and usage amount. To better understand your plans specific pricing details, make sure to check out the Electricity Facts Label (EFL) before enrolling.

To get more information about rates on Power Wizard’s marketplace in your specific to your location, pop your zip code!

ProviderPlan¢/kWhEst. Monthly BillTermRatingCheckout Link
Express EnergyFlash 249.8¢$9824 months4.7Checkout
Cleansky EnergyEmbrace Green 24 - New Customer Special14.3¢$14324 months3.6Checkout
APG&ETrue Classic 2414.8¢$14824 months4.2Checkout
Veteran EnergySecure 1215.9¢$15912 months4.7Checkout
4Change EnergyOne Rate 1216.1¢$16112 months4.9Checkout
Chariot EnergyShine 1216.2¢$16212 months4.4Checkout
Gexa EnergyGexa Solar Export Saver 1216.6¢$16612 months4.8Checkout
Frontier UtilitiesFrontier Free Weekends Preferred 1219.8¢$19812 months4.8Checkout
*Updated on 07/12/2025, 4:51:06 AM CDT for ZIP Code 77003. Pricing and plan offerings are subject to change. Monthly bill estimates are based on 1000 kWh usage. Actual bills may vary based on usage patterns and additional fees.

About Direct Energy

Direct Energy serves electricity to 15 deregulated states across the nation, accumulating millions of residential and commercial customers. They even provide over 70% of fortune 100 companies with energy services. Founded in 1986, they have many years of extensive experience. This has led them to becoming one of the top natural gas and electricity suppliers in the US.

Direct Energy goes the extra mile by offering customers special perks and added benefits. Some of the most popular programs are:

  • Home Protection Services: Offers a protection plan to cover AC and heating repair costs, a surge protection plan to cover electronic and appliances repairs, and an electric line and surge plan to cover your interior electrical wiring system.
  • Home Security: Provides an all-in-one home security with a custom built system unique to your home.
  • Referral Program: Receive $50 for every friend you refer who becomes a Direct Energy customer. Even better, your friend gets $50 as well!
  • 24/7 Customer Service: Offers quality service with 24/7 help and an added chatbox feature for those who want answers quickly.
  • Neighbor to Neighbor Bill Assistance Program: Texas customers can donate an unlimited amount to help fellow community members with their electricity bills allowing qualified individuals to receive up to $700 throughout the year to go towards their electricity bills.

As a part of NRG, Direct Energy combines nationwide resources with their customer-first approach to give their clients reliable and affordable energy solutions.

What are Customers Saying About Direct Energy?

Direct Energy has relatively mixed reviews. Some customers praise their patience and knowledgeable customer service. Others have noticed billing issues, hidden charges, and contract and renewal confusion.

Overall PowerWizard Score Rating Scale (1–5)
Overall Score 4 star rating 4.19
Customer Service 4.5 star rating 4.25
Online Accessibility 5 star rating 5
Product Variety & Options 3.5 star rating 3.33

Plans Offered by Direct Energy

Direct Energy offers customers a diverse array of plans with many added features to help them save money. With certain plans having autopay discounts and others having bill credits, Direct Energy has many cost effective options for anyone. For fixed rate plans, Early Termination Fees (ETFs) range from $150-$295. Before enrolling, make sure to check out your plans Electricity Facts Label (EFL) to check for any hidden fees or terms.

Fixed Rate

Fixed Rate plans offered by Direct Energy provide customers a safe, steady plan option that keeps bills consistent through the length of your contract. Direct Energy Fixed rate plans ensure that even during the summer and winter months when the demand for electricity is at its highest, your price per kWh will remain consistent.

Pros:

  • Stable bills
  • Easier to budget
  • Transparent and easy to understand plans

Cons:

  • Limited Flexibility
  • Must pay an ETF if you cancel before your contract is up
  • Could miss out on lower prices if the market rates drop

Bill Credit

Direct Energy gives customers the opportunity to enjoy multiple plan types with bill credits included. They offer bill credits in their time of use, fixed rate, and renewable plans.

Pros:

  • Great for high consumption households
  • Opportunity to save money
  • Incentive for higher energy usage

Cons:

  • Might encourage an overuse of electricity
  • Not ideal for homes with low energy consumption
  • You will only benefit by using the minimum amount of energy

Variable Rate

Variable rate plans give customers the flexibility of having electricity without being held back by an Early Termination Fee (ETF) when switching plans or providers. Direct Energy offers the Bright Choice plan that provides customers with a no-strings-attached electricity plan.

Pros:

  • Able to switch plans or providers anytime without an ETF
  • Benefits from electricity price drops
  • Suitable for people looking to try a provider before committing long-term.

Cons:

  • Rates are less stable than other options
  • Unpredictable billing
  • Will cost more long term than alternate plans

Time-of-Use

Time-of-use or “Free Electricity” plans allow customers  to maximize savings by shifting their electricity usage to off-peak hours. For individuals with electric vehicles (EVs), the Twelve Hour Power 24 plan offered by Direct Energy is a great option, providing free electricity from 9:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m, along other perks. The Twelve Hour Power 18 Auto Pay plan offers the same free electricity benefits, but instead of a bill credit, customers receive discounts for using Autopay. The Free Power Weekends 24 Autopay plan gives customers free electricity from Friday at 6:00 p.m. until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, along with the Autopay discount.

Pros:

  • Great for people who are able to shift when they use energy
  • Great for charging electric vehicles or running appliances at night
  • Can lower electricity bill if managed carefully

Cons:

  • In order to save money, you have to manage when you use electricity
  • Rates will be higher during peak hours
  • Not ideal for people who are home or work from home during peak hours

Solar Buyback

Solar buyback plans allow customers to send the excess solar energy produced by their panels back to the grid in exchange for bill credits. The Direct Solar Unlimited 12 and 24-month plans allow customers to earn unlimited bill credits from their extra solar energy.

Pros:

  • Incentive for those who send excess energy back to the grid
  • Supports sustainable energy
  • Can lower electricity bills

Cons:

  • Must produce more than you consume to benefit
  • Solar panels are required
  • May be complicated to monitor

Renewable

Direct Energy offers 100% renewable energy through their GreenTexas 12 Autopay plan, which includes a $50 bill credit, or the GreenTexas 36 Autopay plan, which has no bill credit but offers lower rates. Both plans include a discount for using autopay.

Pros:

  • Predictable bills
  • Reduce carbon footprint
  • No panels needed

Cons:

  • Less flexibility when it comes to changing plans
  • ETFs apply if you cancel your plan before your contract ends
  • Rates may be higher than nonrenewable alternatives

Direct Energy vs Top Energy Companies

Feature Direct Energy Just Energy Gexa Energy
Overall Rating 4 star rating 4.19 3.5 star rating 3.64 5 star rating 4.83
Plan Types Fixed-rate, variable rate, bill credits, free nights and weekends, and solar buyback, renewable Fixed-rate, bill credit, free nights, days, and weekends, renewable energy Fixed-rate, free nights, free weekends, green energy, perk-based, EV charging
Top 12-Month Plan Live Brighter 12 Auto Pay Simple Choice 12 Eco Saver Plus 12
Best Feature Focuses on trust and simplicity with straightforward pricing, stable rates, and no hidden fees Smooth online experience, price protection, friendly service, renewable add ons Competitive, sustainable energy plans and exceptional customer service

Direct Energy Service Areas

  • AEP Texas Central: Services areas such as Corpus Christi, Laredo, and Victoria
  • AEP Texas North: This service area covers Abilene and San Angelo
  • CenterPoint Energy: This Utility services the Houston metropolitan
  • Oncor Electric: Services areas including Arlington, Dallas-Fort Worth, Irving, Midland, Odessa, Tyler, and Waco
  • Texas-New Mexico Power: Covers areas like Friendswood, Alvin, Angleton, and Texas City
  • Lubbock Power and Light: Includes Lubbock

Is Direct Energy Right for You?

  • You value attentive 24/7 customer service
  • You’re interested in saving money with bill credits
  • You value energy providers committed to sustainability with many green plan options
  • You want credit for excess solar energy your panels produce
  • You want easy to use online tools
  • You value a diverse array of plans to choose from

Direct Energy FAQs


  • Residential: 855-461-1926 | 24/7
  • Small Business: 833-480-7839 | Mon-Fri 7am-7pm CT


Unless you sign up with their variable rate plan, Direct Energy does have cancellation fees ranging from about $150-$295.


Direct Energy does not have a satisfaction guarantee. If you are unhappy with your service and wish to cancel a fixed rate plan, you will have to pay an Early Termination Fee (ETF). These can range from $150-$295.


Similar to most energy providers, Direct runs a soft credit check before customers can fully enroll in a plan. If their credit score doesn’t meet the minimum requirement, customers will be required to pay a deposit.


Yes! They offer two types of green energy plans: a basic fixed-rate option that does not require solar panels, and a solar buyback plan that requires panels but allows customers to return excess solar energy back to the grid in exchange for bill credits, which can help lower their electricity bills.


NRG bought Direct Energy in 2020. Owning other major provider brands such as Reliant, NRG has millions of residential and commercial customers across the nation. Their experience and time in the business has made them a large and reputable energy retail electricity company.


Yes, to cancel your service with Direct Energy, please call 855-461-1926 for residential customers and 833-480-7839 for small business customers.

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