Frequently Asked Questions

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• Sign Up with Direct Energy

  • What happens to my service after I switch to Direct Energy?

    If you do choose to switch your service away from your local utility company to Direct Energy, your local utility company will continue to deliver your electricity and/or natural gas to your home, read your meter, send you bills,...

  • What is the cost to switch to Direct Energy?

    Direct Energy does not charge an enrollment fee. However, your current energy supplier may assess a cancellation fee if you're switching providers within your contract term. Your current supplier can confirm what those costs (if...

  • How can I become an authorized account user on a Direct Energy account?

    To become an authorized account user on a Direct Energy account, the current account holder must make this request by contacting our Customer Care center at 1-855-461-1926 and providing your name to be added to the account.

  • When will my service with Direct Energy begin?

    Your service will begin when your local utility company conducts your next meter read date after your switch to Direct Energy has been processed by the utility company. This change will be reflected on your bill within 1 to 2...

  • What if I am tax exempt?

    You should fax your completed tax exemption certificate to our Customer Care Center at 1-800-457-9686 or mail us a copy of the certificate to the following address in order to process your exemption: Direct Energy PMB #51,...

• General Questions

  • What is the role of my local utility company?

    Your local utility company delivers the electricity that flows into your home. The utility company is responsible for the lines, poles, pipes, meters, power outages, repairs, and other issues with how energy gets to your home....

  • What is the difference between Direct Energy and my local utility company?

    Direct Energy and your utility work together to provide services for your specific area. Direct Energy is a retail, or competitive, electric and natural gas provider. If you live in a deregulated area, you are able to shop for...

  • If I switch electricity suppliers, will my reliability be affected?

    By law, the local utility company is not allowed to provide different care levels to customers who have chosen an alternate supplier. You will continue to receive the same level of delivery quality, emergency response, and meter...

• What to Know As a Customer

  • Will I save money by signing up with Direct Energy?

    Future savings depend on the direction of commodity prices, which can be very volatile; however, you are not guaranteed savings. Historically, Direct Energy's rates have been very competitive. Our fixed-rate products offer...

• Glossary

  • What does kWh mean?

    The term "kWh" stands for kilowatt-hour and is the unit of measurement for your electricity use over time.

  • What is a Therm?

    The term "Therm" is the unit of measurement for your natural gas use over time. In most areas, this is the unit visible on your utility bill for your natural gas usage on any given billing cycle.

  • What are transmission charges?

    These are charges assessed by your local utility company on your bill for the cost of moving high voltage electricity from the facility that generates that electricity through the distribution lines of your electric distribution...

  • What are distribution charges?

    These are the fees that your local utility company charges you to deliver the electricity or gas supply to your location .These charges are assessed in addition to the cost of electric or gas generation service. Your utility company...

  • What is a non-recurring fee?

    Non-recurring fees are charges from your local utility company, also known as the Transmission and Distribution Service Provider (TDSP) or Transmission and Distribution Utility (TDU), and may include items such as a new service...