Learning Center

Get Chicago Electricity and Natural Gas Rates You'll Love

Make Direct Energy your electric company and natural gas supplier and trusted home protection provider.

How Do I Sign Up for Electricity and Natural Gas?

Electricity and natural gas deregulation allows customers to shop around for rates and plans so they can find the one that is perfect for their home and lifestyle. You can sign up for electricity or natural gas in just a few steps:

Create an account with your utility

If you haven't already, you'll need to create an account with your local utility. Unless you're moving, you should already have an account.

Check whether you're under contract

Check whether you are under contract with your current provider. If you are, make sure you won't be charged an early termination fee if you switch providers before your contract ends.

Have your utility bill on hand

Have a recent utility bill on hand, as you'll need your utility account information to enroll in a new plan with a competitive provider. If you're moving and haven't received a bill yet, you can contact your utility for your account number.

Shop for your perfect plan

Shop for the electricity or natural gas plan that fits your needs. After you sign up, your new provider will contact your local utility to complete the process.

Why Choose Direct Energy

Refer a Friend

Save on your electric bill and help your friends do the same! When you refer your friends to Direct Energy, you'll both get a $50 VISA^® prepaid card when they sign up with us.

Free Power

Free yourself from worry about your electricity bill with free power. Our free nights plan and free weekends plan help you save money when you're home cooking, doing laundry or binge-watching.

Track Your Usage

Our electricity usage insights tool shows you how much electricity you're using each month so you can anticipate your high-usage months.

Electricity and Natural Gas Plans

We offer a range of electricity and natural gas plans so you can find the perfect one for your home and lifestyle. Enter your zip code to see available plans in your area.

How Do I Shop for Electricity and Natural Gas?

Learn more about how you can shop for electricity and natural gas to find the best plan for you. Explore common billing terms, how to read plan documents, how to sign up and more.

Shopping for Electricity Shopping for Natural Gas

Refer Your Friends, Get Rewards

Get opportunities to earn even more rewards with our Refer-A-Friend program! When you refer your friends to Direct Energy using your unique customer referral code, you'll both get rewarded. For each friend you refer, you'll get a Direct Energy $50 Visa® Prepaid Card, and so will they! That's $50 more a month for you to spend on other things you love. It's a win for everyone.

Learn More

Manage Your Usage and Save

As a Direct Energy customer, you'll have access to our electricity usage insights tool that shows you how much electricity you're using each month so you can anticipate your high-usage periods.