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Direct Energy: Current Rates and Overview

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Overview

Direct Energy is one of North America's largest retail providers of electricity, natural gas and home and business energy-related services with a history of impressive growth. Direct Energy gives customers choice, simplicity, and innovation where energy, data, and technology meet. We empower our customers with simple solutions to track, understand, and control the electricity and natural gas they use. The North American headquarters are located in Houston, Texas, with regional offices across the U.S. and Canada. Direct Energy is proud to serve customers in Texas, select states in the Northeast, the District of Columbia and the Canadian province of Alberta.

  • Founded in 1986
  • One of the US largest retail electricity providers serving over 4 million customers.
  • Offer energy-efficient products to help customers reduce consumption.
  • 24/7 customer support.
  • NRG Brand

ON THIS PAGE

Brenna Swientonioski

Written by:

Brenna Swientonioski

Maryellen Maddox

Reviewed by:

Maryellen Maddox

Ashley Waltmon

Edited by:

Ashley Waltmon

Updated June 19, 2025

Direct Energy's Electricity Rates

Direct Energy offers a range of plans across the deregulated energy market in Texas. These plans vary in pricing per usage, term length, and rate type, so you can tailor your plan to your usage and lifestyle. Select any of these plans to see further plan details, and make sure you’re getting the best electricity rate for you.

The average rate for Direct Energy on June 19, 2025 is 18.03¢ per kWh.

ProviderPlan NameRateTerm Length
Direct EnergyLive Brighter Lite 1214.9 ¢
1000 kWh		12 months
Sign up
Direct EnergyLive Brighter Lite 2414.9 ¢
1000 kWh		24 months
Sign up
Direct EnergyLive Brighter Lite 1215.5 ¢
1000 kWh		12 months
Sign up
Direct EnergyLive Brighter Lite 1215.5 ¢
1000 kWh		12 months
Sign up
Direct EnergyBright Secure 1215.5 ¢
1000 kWh		12 months
Sign up
Direct EnergyLive Brighter Lite 2415.9 ¢
1000 kWh		24 months
Sign up
Direct EnergyLive Brighter Lite 2415.9 ¢
1000 kWh		24 months
Sign up
Direct EnergyBright Secure 1216.5 ¢
1000 kWh		12 months
Sign up
Direct EnergyBright Secure 1216.5 ¢
1000 kWh		12 months
Sign up
Direct EnergyLive Brighter Lite 1216.9 ¢
1000 kWh		12 months
Sign up

Please note: All rates above are accurate as of June 19, 2025 at 12:15 PM UTC. Rates may have changed since this date/time. For the most up to date rates in your area, please enter your address above.

How Does Direct Energy Compare?

If you’re not sure about Direct Energy, make sure to check out their leading competitors to confirm that Direct Energy is the right choice for you. These featured providers offer competitive energy rates which might fit your lifestyle and budget better.

Currently, the average rate for the plans from all other providers is 17.65¢ per kWh. Direct Energy’s average rate of 18.03¢ per kWh is 2.07% higher than average.

ProviderPlan NameRateTerm Length
Gexa EnergyGexa Eco Saver Plus 129.9 ¢
1000 kWh		12 months
Sign up
Discount PowerBill Credit Bundle 129.9 ¢
1000 kWh		12 months
Sign up
Frontier UtilitiesFrontier Saver Plus 129.9 ¢
1000 kWh		12 months
Sign up
Express EnergyFlash 1210.0 ¢
1000 kWh		12 months
Sign up
4Change EnergyMaxx Saver Select 1210.0 ¢
1000 kWh		12 months
Sign up
APG&E EnergySimpleSaver 12 11.1 ¢
1000 kWh		12 months
Sign up
Veteran EnergyValor 1213.7 ¢
1000 kWh		12 months
Sign up
Constellation Energy12 Month Usage Bill Credit13.9 ¢
1000 kWh		12 months
Sign up
Rhythm EnergySimply Select 2414.7 ¢
1000 kWh		24 months
Sign up
CirroSmart Value 2415.4 ¢
1000 kWh		24 months
Sign up

Please note: All rates above are accurate as of June 19, 2025 at 12:15 PM UTC. Rates may have changed since this date/time. For the most up to date rates in your area, please enter your address above.

Weekly Average Electricity Rates

If you're not in a rush to get your lights turned on, make sure that this is the right moment for you to be selecting a new plan. Our rate charts show you what prices you can expect at different times of the year, so that when you lock in your plan you have the right rate for you. In general, electricity rates tend to rise during the summer and winter, and drop in the spring and fall.

12 months
20.44 ¢/kWh
24 months
17.57 ¢/kWh

Areas that Direct Energy Serves

Below are some of the utility service areas and cities that Direct Energy serves:

AEP Texas : AEP Texas Central operates mainly in the southern part of Texas, while AEP North serves parts of western and central Texas. Cities supported include Abilene, Corpus Christi, Laredo, McAllen, San Angelo, and San Benito.

Oncor Electricity Delivery : Oncor Electricity Delivery covers west and north texas with cities like Dallas, Fort Worth, Irving, Plano, Arlington, Beeville, Midland, Odessa, Killeen and serves more than 13M Texans.

CenterPoint Energy : CenterPoint Energy primarily services the Houston area and surrounding areas.

Texas-New Mexico Power : Texas-New Mexico Power covers North Central Texas, Gulf Coast and West Texas including cities like Alvin, Clifton, Lewisville, Pecos, Fort Stockton, and League City.

What are the different types of electric plans that Direct Energy offers?

Their plans include:

Fixed-rate plans: With fixed-rate plans, you'll be paying the same rate for every kilowatt-hour of power you use during your electricity contract. It's a straightforward and predictable way to manage your energy costs. Contracts usually range from one to three years. So, here's the deal: if you decide to cancel your plan before your contract is up, you might end up having to pay something called an early termination fee (ETF). One great thing about fixed-rate plans is that the price you pay for energy stays the same, which means you don't have to worry about sudden increases in the market.

Bill credit plans: Bill credit plans are a type of electricity plan where customers receive a credit on their bill after using a certain amount of electricity. This credit can be applied to future bills or can be paid out in cash. Bill credit plans are a great way to save money on your electricity bill, especially if you use a lot of electricity. Some companies offer bill credit plans as an incentive to get customers to sign up for their services.

How to sign up for service with Direct Energy

You can sign up for any Direct Energy plan through Gatby in less than five minutes. Once you have picked the plan that makes the most sense for your house, Gatby will submit the order through our integration to Direct Energy. While they would prefer a three day notice, Direct Energy can do same-day service start dates. Direct Energy and the local utility (TDSP) will coordinate to make sure service is started when you need it!

Direct Energy | FAQs

Signing Up for Electricity Service With Direct Energy.
How do I switch to a Direct Energy plan?
Switching to a Direct Energy plan is simple with Gatby. Just enter your address on the Gatby marketplace, find Direct Energy in the list of available providers, and select the plan that best fits your needs. After completing enrollment, [object Object] will handle the switch, and service will begin shortly after.
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Do I have to pay a fee if I switch to a Direct Energy plan?
In most cases, there are no fees for switching to a Direct Energy Energy plan, especially if your current contract has ended. However, if you’re switching before your existing contract is up, your current provider may charge an early termination fee. Check the terms of your existing plan on Gatby before making the switch. If you are moving, it’s important to note that you will not be required to pay an early termination fee whether your contract is up or not. Read more about this here.
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Is Direct Energy a reliable electricity provider?
Direct Energy is a reliable electricity provider with a strong reputation for competitive rates and solid customer service. With years of experience in the industry, Direct Energy offers dependable service across deregulated areas of Texas. Gatby has vetted all providers to align with our mission of making your electricity shopping experience hassle-free while saving you time and money.
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Does Direct Energy run your credit?
Yes, Direct Energy may run a credit check as part of the enrollment process. Depending on your credit score, they may require a deposit, but options are available for those looking for deposit-free plans. You can check Gatby for more information on this.
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How long does it take to connect Direct Energy in Texas?
The connection with Direct Energy begins on the service start date you choose during enrollment. If you have a smart meter, the activation is often very fast and could be completed within hours of your requested start date. Without a smart meter, it may take 1-3 business days.
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Is Direct Energy a trustworthy provider?
Yes, Direct Energy is a trustworthy provider with a reputation for transparency, competitive pricing, and reliable service. Gatby features Direct Energy as a dependable choice for electricity in Texas.
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How much is the early termination fee for Direct Energy?
Direct Energy’s early termination fee (ETF) depends on the specific plan but typically ranges from $208.00. Check the details of your plan on Gatby to avoid early termination fees if you decide to switch.
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What is the average monthly billing with Direct Energy?
The average monthly bill with Direct Energy depends on your electricity usage and the plan you choose. For customers using about 1000 kWh per month, the average bill is around $149. Gatby’s marketplace allows you to compare plans and estimate your monthly bill based on your actual usage.
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