Direct Energy is a Texas electricity provider with two main kinds of plans: fixed-rate Autopay Texas plans and “free time” plans that give you free electricity during set hours. It also lets you switch to a different Direct Energy plan within 90 days without paying an early termination fee.
Direct Energy at a glance
| Plan types | Fixed-rate plans (8 to 24 months); Free Days, Free Weekends and Free Nights plans |
| Service areas | Texas areas open to competition |
| Standout feature | Switch plans within 90 days with no early termination fee |
| PUC complaint rating | 4 out of 5 (lower-than-average complaint rate) |
| Complaints (May–Oct 2026) | 122 |
| Company | Direct Energy, LP (brands also include Direct Energy Business Services, Direct Energy Multi-Family and New Leaf Energy) |
| Customer service | 1-844-726-3398 |
Free-time plans and the 90-day switch
Direct Energy’s website promotes three plans built around free hours:
- Free Days: free electricity from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day.
- Free Weekends: free electricity from 6 p.m. Friday to 11:59 p.m. Sunday.
- Free Nights: free electricity from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.
The free hours only help if you can shift a good share of your use into them.
Direct Energy also lets you switch to a different Direct Energy plan within 90 days with no early termination fee (the charge for leaving a contract early). Other extras include Vivint smart home offers, an app and online account manager, and 24/7 support.
Our take: a free-time plan can work well if your household is home and using power during the free window. If you’re away during free days or can’t move laundry and dishes to free nights, a simple fixed-rate plan may cost less. The 90-day switch gives you a little room to change your mind.
Compare rates in your area
Rates change often and depend on your address and how much electricity you use. Enter your ZIP code at the bottom of this page to see current plans and prices for your address.
Direct Energy plans
The fixed-rate plans and prices below are from Power to Choose for the Oncor (Dallas–Fort Worth) area in November 2026. The free-time plans come from Direct Energy’s website, which didn’t list their terms or prices. Plan lineups change over time, and not every plan is offered in every area.
| Plan | Contract length | Price at 1,000 kWh (Oncor) | Cancellation fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autopay Texas 8 | 8 months | 14.3¢ per kWh | $75 |
| Autopay Texas 11 | 11 months | 15.2¢ per kWh | $95 |
| Autopay Texas 12 | 12 months | 15.2¢ per kWh | $150 |
| Autopay Texas 13 | 13 months | 15.1¢ per kWh | $150 |
| Autopay Texas 24 | 24 months | 15.3¢ per kWh | $295 |
| Free Days | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Free Weekends | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Free Nights | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
Tip: before you sign up for any plan, read its Electricity Facts Label. It shows the actual price at 500, 1,000 and 2,000 kWh, plus any base fees, credits or free-hour rules.
What customers say: complaints and ratings
Texas PUC complaint rating: 4 out of 5
The Public Utility Commission of Texas rates providers on how many complaints they get per 1,000 customers. Direct Energy scores a 4 out of 5, meaning a lower-than-average complaint rate, on the scorecard shown on Power to Choose in November 2026.
The PUC counts complaints for Direct Energy LP, which covers its Direct Energy, Direct Energy Business Services, Direct Energy Multi-Family and New Leaf Energy brands. Direct Energy Business LLC is reported separately.
From May through October 2026, the company received 122 complaints:
| Complaint type | Count |
|---|---|
| Billing | 60 |
| Disconnection of service | 26 |
| Starting or moving service | 22 |
| Switching without permission (“slamming”) | 12 |
| Other | 2 |
| Unauthorized charges (“cramming”) | 0 |
| Service quality | 0 |
| Total | 122 |
What stands out: about half of complaints were about billing. If you sign up, check your first couple of bills against your plan’s Electricity Facts Label, especially on a free-time plan where the hours matter.
Is Direct Energy a good fit for you?
Direct Energy may be a good choice if:
- You can move a lot of your electricity use into free hours during the day, on weekends or at night.
- You’d like the option to change plans within 90 days without a fee.
- You want a provider with a better-than-average complaint rating.
You might look elsewhere if:
- You may need to leave early. Cancellation fees run from $75 to $295.
- You want the lowest price. Compare Direct Energy’s plans against other providers at your actual usage.
Contact Direct Energy
Direct Energy, LP is licensed by the PUC under certificate #10040.
- Customer service: 1-844-726-3398
- New orders: 1-855-461-1926
- Existing service: 1-888-305-3828
- Enrollment line listed on Power to Choose: (833) 894-5580
- Website: directenergy.com
Compare before you sign
Direct Energy’s free-time plans can pay off for the right household, but the best plan for your home depends on your address and usage. Enter your ZIP code to compare Direct Energy against every provider in your area.
Related resources
Sources: Direct Energy · Power to Choose · Power to Choose plan export · PUC complaint scorecard · PUC complaint statistics