We combine our user submitted reviews along with other reviews from Google, Facebook, Yelp, and the Public Utility Commission to grade providers.
Direct Energy is a subsidiary of NRG Energy who purchased the company for a little of 3 billion dollars in early 2021. Yep, billion with a B.
Direct Energy has good customer support grades but typically has higher than average rates. Some people find paying a little extra for an established brand and customer support woth while. But, if you are looking for the best rate availabel for your home you will likely find better options available.
My bill has gone down, they are very pleasant to work with. They are knowledgeable about their services they provide and give prompt answers to my questions.
Extremely satisfied. Have been with them for a while. Saved a lot of money especially last year when electricity skyrocketed. The feature of their no sign up fee and no cancellation fee is why I stay. But, one thing I need to mention is make sure you check your rate when your contract period expires or call to see what the rate it will be, prior to your contract expires. It takes a good two months for the change (if you do so) to kick in. I did find out the hard way years ago. That’s the only negative, but all the providers are doing that. I’m adding after reading another review. It coincides with my review about the end of contract. They jacked up my rate. They should be more loyal toward their existing customers. Years ago, I did opt to elsewhere for this reason.
This 5 stars review is for their customer service. I newly joined the company and every time I would chat with them I gets an amazing team member who would be so helpful, especially Erick!!
great energy provider no issues would recommend
Direct Energy is a retail electricity and natural gas provider that serves residential and business customers in the United States and Canada. The company is headquartered in Houston, Texas and is a subsidiary of Centrica, a multinational energy and services company. In January of 2021 Centrica, Direct Energy as a subsidiary were aquired by NRG Energy.
Direct Energy was founded in 1986 in Toronto, Canada, and has since expanded its operations across North America. The company provides electricity and natural gas services to over 4 million customers, making it one of the largest retail energy providers in North America.
Direct Energy offers a range of energy plans to meet the needs of its customers, including fixed-rate plans, variable-rate plans, and green energy options. The company is committed to providing reliable and affordable energy to its customers, while also promoting energy efficiency and sustainability.
Direct Energy offers a range of products and services to help customers reduce their energy consumption and lower their bills, including smart thermostats, energy-efficient appliances, and renewable energy options. The company is also actively involved in promoting renewable energy, with a focus on wind and solar power.
In addition to providing energy services, Direct Energy offers a range of home services, including heating and cooling repair, plumbing services, and home protection plans. The company is dedicated to providing its customers with exceptional customer service, and has won numerous awards for its customer satisfaction and customer service.
Our mission is to provide accurate and helpful data and content to help you make an informed decision when comparing energy providers.
Plans and Rates:
We review all available plans from every licensed energy provider. Then we rank the lowest available rate from each provider. Providers then receive a rating based on what percentile their lowest plan ranks.
For example, Provider A has the 3rd lowest-priced plan, while Provider B has the 45th lowest-priced plan out of 46 providers who submitted plans to PUC. Provider A will have a rating of 5, while Provider B will have a rating of 1.
Customer Service:
We scrape online reviews from Google, Yelp, BBB, and Trust Pilot to determine what customers are saying about the provider. The rating reflects the aggregate of all online reviews.
Renewable Options:
The rating system is based on the availability of renewable energy options. A 5-star rating is awarded to entities that offer a fully renewable option, signifying 100% renewable energy usage. A 4-star rating is given to those that provide a mix of energy sources, with more than 50% coming from renewable sources. Entities with renewable energy options exceeding the state average of 31.1% receive a 3-star rating, while those offering less than 31.1% renewable options are rated with 2 stars. Lastly, a 1-star rating is assigned to those with no renewable energy options, indicating a lack of commitment to sustainable energy practices.
PUC Rating:
The Public Utility Commission publishes a rating for each provider based on the number of formal complaints filed against the provider in comparison to how many customers they have.
For example, a provider with 10 formal complaints out of 10,000 customers would have a 1-star rating whereas a provider with 10 complaints and 1,000,000 customers would have a 5-star rating.
The GridHacker rating uses a weighted average that prioritizes rates and customer service over renewable options and PUC rating. We do this because we feel that for most customers price and service are the two most important factors when they are shopping for an electricity plan.
