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Enrollment Questions
If I am switching providers, how long does it take to get Direct Energy electricity service in Texas?
If you want to switch from your current provider to Direct Energy and if the power at your address is in your name or your spouse’s name, service can begin in approximately 7 business days (or sooner if your service address has a smart meter).
For billed products:
Before Direct Energy service can begin at your residence, you must pay your security deposit or send us documentation showing that your deposit can be waived. Please note: if a security deposit is required, Direct Energy must receive the deposit payment prior to the requested service date in order to turn on the electricity.
Don’t want to pay the deposit? Check out Direct Energy Power-To-GoSM!
See Direct Energy’s plans and prices!
If I am moving to a new residence, how long does it take to get Direct Energy electricity service in Texas?
If you're starting Direct Energy service at a new residence, your service can begin a minimum of three business days after you sign up. If you are moving into a residence without power, or if the service is not in your name or your spouse’s name, service can begin in approximately three business days.
If you require an expedited move in fewer than three days, please call 1-888-956-9034. There will be an additional cost for an expedited move.
For billed products:
Before Direct Energy service can begin at your residence, you must pay your security deposit or send us documentation showing that your deposit can be waived. Please note: if a security deposit is required, Direct Energy must receive the deposit payment prior to the requested service date in order to turn on the electricity.
Don’t want to pay the deposit? Check out Direct Energy Power-To-GoSM!
See Direct Energy’s plans and prices!
How do I transfer my Direct Energy electricity service to my new home if I’m moving somewhere in Texas?
We can power your home as long as you remain in Direct Energy’s service area. You can transfer your service in one of the following ways:
- Transfer online. Be sure to have your new service address and the dates for stopping service at your old location and beginning Direct Energy service at your new location.
- Call us toll-free at 1-888-305-3828.
How much does it cost to switch to Direct Energy in Texas?
Direct Energy does not charge an enrollment fee, but the local Transmission and Distribution Utility (TDU) may charge a one-time fee for initial service connections. This one-time fee, or non-recurring fee, will appear on your electricity bill on behalf of the TDU approximately 30 days later.
What do I need to provide when I sign up with Direct Energy?
You'll need a valid form of personal identification to verify that service is being established in your name. We will also perform a credit check.
Why do you need a credit check?
We check your credit to determine if you need to pay a deposit when you sign up with Direct Energy. The credit check searches utility payment information, which reviews your history of making payments on your utility services, such as electric and natural gas.
What do you consider when you assess a deposit?
The deposit is based on the results of the credit check that Direct Energy performs when you sign up. The credit check searches utility payment information, and many elements are taken into consideration. Direct Energy may require a deposit if you do not meet the company’s credit requirements. The deposit that you pay is returned to you with interest after twelve consecutive on-time payments. If you leave Direct Energy, the deposit with interest, minus any outstanding balance, will be returned to you.
What is my deposit? How much will I be required to pay as a deposit?
The deposit is an amount that you must pay if you do not meet Direct Energy’s credit requirements, which is determined by the credit check that we perform when you sign up. The deposit amount will not exceed the sum of your next two month’s estimated bills or one-fifth (1/5) of your estimated annual billings. If a deposit is due, we must receive it as soon as possible in order to process your request for service.
Do you waive the deposit?
WYou may be eligible to have Direct Energy waive the deposit requirement if you meet one of the following criteria:
62 or older
If you are 62 years of age or older, please send us a copy of your or your spouse’s driver's license or state ID. You must not have any overdue electricity payments
Victim of domestic violence
If you are a victim of domestic violence as recognized by the Texas Council on Family Violence, you can send us a completed and signed certification letter from the Texas Council on Family Violence to confirm your status.
Letter of credit
If you have been a residential customer of any retail electric provider or an electric utility within the last two years and were not late paying a bill more than once in the last 12 months, please contact your current electricity provider to provide a letter of credit on your behalf.
Letter of guarantee
A letter of guarantee is a letter from someone who is already a current Direct Energy customer in good standing and who will act as a guarantor for your Direct Energy account.
Medically indigent
If you are considered medically indigent as certified by a government entity or government-funded energy assistance program provider and physician, please provide us with documentation.
For any of the situations above, you can send us your information by:
- Fax at 1-866-791-4331, Attn. Deposit Waiver
- Mail at
Attn. Deposit Waiver
P.O. Box 180
Tulsa, OK 74101-0180, United States
Once we receive your documentation, we’ll let you know that we’ve sent a request for your Direct Energy service to begin. Remember, we cannot send the order to start your electric service until we confirm your status, so please send us the forms as soon as you can. We will hold your enrollment for 30 days or until this information is received, whichever comes first.
Does Direct Energy have a lower deposit amount for low-income customers?
Unfortunately not, but we can split the deposit into two equal installments if you are a qualified, low-income customer. To have your deposit split, your credit check must show that you need to pay the full deposit amount, and we need to receive and validate your documentation of low-income eligibility.
Please send us one of the following documents as proof of low-income eligibility:
- A copy of a state-issued statement of benefits for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, Low-Income Medicare, Texas Aid to Needy Families or SNAP food benefits (formerly known as food stamps)
- A bill from another retail electric provider showing that you have received a low-income discount within the past six months
- A letter from your current provider confirming that you are an eligible low-income customer.
Send us your documents in one of the following ways:
- Fax 1-866-791-4331, Attn. Low Income
- Mail
Attn. Low Income
P.O. Box 180
Tulsa, OK 74101-0180, United States
We need to receive your first installment at least three days prior to your service request date. The order to start your electric service with Direct Energy will not be sent until we confirm your status and you pay any deposit you owe. We will hold your enrollment for 30 days until this information is received or the deposit payment posts to your account, whichever comes first.
Does Direct Energy permanently keep my deposit?
Your deposit will be returned to you with interest after 12 consecutive months of on-time payments. If you leave Direct Energy, the deposit with interest, minus any outstanding balance, will be returned to you.
What if I can’t pay the required deposit right now?
We have other options for you to pay the deposit. If you cannot pay your deposit at the time of your enrollment, we will hold your enrollment for 30 days or until the deposit is received, whichever comes first. The order to start your electric service will be sent for a date three days after your deposit payment posts to your account.
Don’t want to pay the deposit? Check out Direct Energy Power-To-GoSM!
See Direct Energy’s plans and prices!
