Direct Energy Free Nights + Amazon Prime Review: Is It Worth It in Texas?

Is Direct Energy’s Free Nights + Amazon Prime plan a steal or a bust? We’ve all heard the catchy commercials and hummed the tune, but does this Texas electricity plan—aka the ‘On Us’ plan—really save you money? We’ve crunched the numbers against a no-frills plan to find out—spoiler: it might cost more than you think! In this Direct Energy Free Nights review for Texas, we’ll break down the costs, perks, and real-world value to see if it’s worth the hype.

What’s the Free Nights + Amazon Prime Plan?

• Free Hours: 9 PM – 9 AM (0¢/kWh)

• Peak Rate: 28¢/kWh

• Base Fee: $9.95/month

• Bonus: 2 years of Amazon Prime ($280) or $15/month gift cards ($360).

Watch the ad to see Direct Energy’s pitch—then let’s dig into the real costs.

How Does the Free Nights Plan Compare to a Simple Plan?

Direct Energy’s Free Nights Plan costs $89 more per month and $1,800 more over the 24-month term compared to a simple, straightforward plan.

Direct Energy Free Nights

$231/mo

@ 1000 kWh

Simple, Straightforward Plan

$142/mo

@ 1000 kWh

For these examples, we’re using plans for the utility supplier Oncor. The exact numbers may vary slightly across different suppliers, the concept remains the same.

Additionally, we’re not endorsing any specific provider or plan. Our goal is simply to illustrate how this plan compares to a simple, straightforward electricity plan.

Direct Energy's Plan Details

• Energy Charge: 28.0409¢ per kWh

• Base Charge: $9.95/mo

• Discounted Time: 9:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.

• Discounted Rate: 0¢ per kWh

• Assumed Discounted Usage: 45%

• Advertised Prices

• 500 kWh = 20.8¢ and $104/mo

• 1000 kWh = 19.6¢ and $196/mo

• 2000 kWh = 18.9¢ and $378/mo

Note: We show how to find these later in the article

Compared to a Simple Plan

• Energy Charge: 8.5722¢ per kWh

• Base Charge: $0.00/mo

• Advertised Prices

• 500 kWh = 14.7¢ and $73/mo

• 1000 kWh = 14.3¢ and $142/mo

• 2000 kWh = 14.1¢ and $279/mo

This plan is considered: Simple, Straightforward, No Gimmick.

Cost Difference Between Plans

@ 500 kWh = +$33 for the Direct Energy Plan

@ 1000 kWh = +$55 for the Direct Energy Plan

@ 2000 kWh = +$100 for the Direct Energy Plan

*Keep in mind this is for each month.

Is the Amazon Prime Perk Worth the Cost?

Prime’s $280 value sounds nice, but at $55 extra/month @ 1000 kWh, you’d spend $1,320 over 24 months—way more than Prime’s worth. Even with $360 in gift cards, you’re still out $1,040. A simple plan saves enough to buy Prime and more!

With 2-Year Amazon Prime Membership - $280 Value

With $15 Amazon Gift Cards for Existing Members - $360 Value

Real-World Usage: What You’ll Actually Pay

Direct Energy’s Free Nights plan promises big savings, but its advertised numbers—like a 45% usage assumption from 9 PM to 9 AM—don’t match real Texas household energy usage. Most folks use closer to 35% during those free hours, not 45%. That gap means higher bills than you’d expect—let’s dive into real-world numbers to see how much more you might pay compared to a simple plan.

Typical Texas Household Electricity Usage

Curious why the 45% assumption flops? Check out the charts below for a typical Texas household’s daily electricity usage. Most folks use far less than 45% of their power between 9 PM and 9 AM—closer to 33%—since we’re asleep or out for half that time. Usage varies seasonally, but the daily pattern stays steady, showing why this plan’s savings are overhyped.

Real Costs: Free Nights vs. Simple Plan at Typical Usage

Real Cost Gap: Free Nights at 33% Usage vs. Simple Plan

Using the real 33% of Texas electricity usage from 9 PM to 9 AM—not Direct Energy’s 45% dream—here’s how much extra you’d pay with the Free Nights plan over a simple one. These updated diffs show the true sting at 500, 1000, and 2000 kWh—no Prime perk can hide this gap!

@ 500 kWh = +$50 for the Direct Energy Plan

@ 1000 kWh = +$89 for the Direct Energy Plan

@ 2000 kWh = +$169 for the Direct Energy Plan

*Again, this is for each month.

Direct Energy Free Nights vs. Simple Plan: Yearly Costs with $280 Prime Value

Direct Energy Free Nights vs. Simple Plan: Yearly Costs with $360 Gift Card Value

These tables hammer home the truth: a realistic 33% usage from 9 PM to 9 AM—way below Direct Energy’s 45% dream—blows up the Texas electricity costs of their Free Nights plan. Over 2 years, you’re shelling out hundreds (or thousands!) more than a simple plan, even with Prime or gift cards. Ready to see if it’s worth it? Our final verdict’s next.

Our Review: Is Direct Energy’s Free Nights + Amazon Prime Plan Worth It?

After crunching the numbers, Direct Energy’s Free Nights + Amazon Prime plan doesn’t deliver for most Texans. Unlike typical Time-of-Use (TOU) plans, its savings hinge on an unrealistic 45% usage between 9 PM and 9 AM—while real Texas households average closer to 33-35%. To break even, you’d need to shift 60-65% of your usage to those free hours, a tall order for anyone not living nocturnally.

Even with the Amazon Prime perk ($280) or gift cards ($360), the steep 28¢/kWh peak rate and $9.95 monthly fee pile on costs—hundreds or thousands more over two years compared to a no-frills fixed-rate plan. Unless you’re a rare bird using most power at night (and none during the day), this plan’s a bust. For real savings in Texas, skip the gimmicks and stick to a simple, transparent plan.

Texans can save hundreds yearly with a simple electricity plan

No Gimmicks Needed

Find affordable options in your area now

About Direct Energy in Texas

Direct Energy is a major player in Texas’s deregulated electricity market, serving homes and businesses since 1986. Acquired by NRG Energy in 2021, it joins brands like Reliant and Green Mountain under the same roof. Known for diverse plans—fixed-rate, variable-rate, and time-of-use options like the Free Nights “On Us” plan—Direct Energy also throws in perks like Amazon Prime or smart home tools. But as our review shows, not all plans deliver the savings they promise.

Direct Energy Customer Reviews: What Texans Say

Direct Energy gets a mixed bag from Texas customers. Some praise its plan options and online tools, but others flag billing surprises, rate hikes, and spotty service—issues that can sting with complex plans like Free Nights. Our take? Dig into the Electricity Facts Label (EFL) before signing up, or skip the hassle with a simpler plan tailored to your zip code.

Direct Energy’s Free Nights Plan: By the Numbers

Wondering where our numbers come from? We pulled them straight from the plan’s Electricity Facts Label (EFL) for the Oncor service area, current as of April 2025. The EFL is your go-to for any Texas electricity plan’s real costs—we recommend checking it out yourself before signing up for any electricity plan.

For this breakdown, we’re focusing solely on Direct Energy’s charges (not TDU fees, which are the same across providers in Oncor’s zone).

Here’s what drives the Free Nights plan’s costs:

Key Plan Details:

Energy Charge: 28.0409¢ per kWh

Base Charge: $9.95/mo

Discounted Time: 9:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Discounted Rate: 0¢ per kWh

Assumed Discounted Usage: 45%

What it Means:

• Energy Charge: Your rate outside the free 9 PM – 9 AM window.

• Base Charge: A flat fee regardless of usage. Typical range is $0 to $10.

• Discounted Time: Window of time when the discount rate applies.

• Discounted Rate: How much you pay during the Discounted Time.

• Assumed Discounted Usage: How much electricity the provider assumes will be during the Discounted Time.

*Direct Energy bets 45% of your power hits those free hours. (Spoiler: Most Texans don’t.)

Direct Energy Free Nights Plus Prime—Red Flags

This plan’s perks sound tempting, but dig deeper, and red flags pop up fast. Here’s what we found—and why it might cost you more than you save.

Advertised Prices

The advertised price screams trouble: 18.9¢/kWh at 2000 kWh for Direct Energy’s Free Nights plan vs. 14.1¢/kWh for a simple 24-month plan—a 4.8¢/kWh gap. That’s $48 extra monthly at 1000 kWh, or $1,152 over 24 months—way beyond the $280 Prime or $360 gift card value. Most TOU plans are a lot closer to fixed-rate pricing, so this raises a red flag.

Check the plan cards below:

Free Nights + Amazon Prime

Simple 24-Month Plan

The Free Nights + Amazon Prime plan tosses in two years of Prime ($280) or $360 in gift cards, so a slightly higher price makes sense—until you run the numbers. That 4.8¢/kWh gap (18.9¢ vs. 14.1¢) adds $48 monthly at 1000 kWh—$1,152 over 24 months. Prime’s nice, but not $1,152 nice.

Provider's Energy Charge

The energy charge—28.0409¢/kWh—is a budget buster. Found in the EFL, this is what you pay per kWh before discounts or fees. Simple plans often sit around 9¢/kWh—three times lower—while TOU plans jack it up to offset free hours. Trouble is, most folks won’t max out those hours, leaving you stuck with a sky-high rate.

See for yourself:

Assumed Discounted Usage Amount

Direct Energy assumes 45% of your usage hits the free 9 PM – 9 AM window—half the day, sure, but half that time you’re asleep. Most TOU plans peg off-peak use at 35-40%, yet real Texas households average 33-35%. That 10% gap inflates savings claims—and your bill.

Spot it in the EFL’s fine print:

Direct Energy Reviews: What Customers Say

Direct Energy’s reputation in Texas is a mixed bag—praise for pricing meets gripes about service and billing. Wescoured the web (including Google Reviews and BBB) to sum up the chatter:

Top Positive Feedback

• Friendly Service: Some Texans call reps helpful and quick to assist.

• COVID Support: A few cheered flexible options during the pandemic.

• Initial Rates: Competitive starting prices win fans—before renewals hit.

Top Complaints

• Rate Hikes: Unexpected jumps after promo periods sting.

• Billing Woes: Errors pop up often—a common headache across providers.

• Cancel Struggles: Ending service can feel like a maze.

• Promo Missteps: Customers feel duped by overhyped deals (sound familiar?).

• Service Delays: Long hold times frustrate many.

• BBB F Rating: The Better Business Bureau slams Direct Energy with an F, citing unresolved complaints—over 1,000 filed in recent years.

What It Means for You

Some love Direct Energy’s deals, but billing snags and spotty support raise flags—echoing our Free Nights critique. Our take? Dig into reviews and compare plans yourself. That’s where we come in—find a better fit with our zip code tool below.

Direct Energy FAQ

Got questions about Direct Energy? Here’s the quick scoop:

Who is Direct Energy?

A big Texas electricity provider under NRG Energy (Reliant) since 2021.

To learn more about us, visit their About Us page.

How do I enroll in Paperless Billing?

The best time to sign up for Paperless Billing is at the time of enrollment. Current customers can log in to their Online Account Manager and enroll in Paperless Billing. The change may take one to two billing cycles to go into effect—saves trees, not always money.

Customers not enrolled in Paperless Billing will still receive a courtesy e-mail the day a new bill is generated.

How do I view my bill?

To view your bill and usage details and make a payment, log in to your Direct Energy Online Account Manager, hover over the Billing and Payments icon in the top navigation bar, and select the appropriate link for the action you want to take—watch for those sneaky rate hikes.

What is Average Monthly Billing?

It evens out your payments over 12 months based on past usage—handy for budgeting, less so for TOU plans.

Where can I find info on fees and charges?

The Electricity Facts Label (EFL) spills it all—dig there first. Direct Energy has also created a simple guide to walk you through the details of their various fees and charges.

Direct Energy Links & Social

Need more? Here’s where to go:

Pay your Bill – Login to your Direct Energy account to view and pay your electric bill and manage your account.

Quick Pay – May a quick payment to your Direct Energy Bill.

FAQ – Direct Energy’s full Q&A.

Contact – Got more questions? Direct Energy is here to help.

Direct Energy on Social Media

Promo Code

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