• Get Started
  • No-Deposit Electricity
  • Business Electricity
  • Answers
  • Resources
    • Search our Learning Center
    • Switch Electricity Companies
    • Business Electricity Rates
    • No-Deposit Electricity
    • 57,000+ Customer Reviews
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Partner Inquiries
    • Careers at ComparePower
  • Get Started
  • No-Deposit Electricity
  • Business Electricity
  • Resources
    • Business Electricity Rates
    • Answers
    • No-Deposit Electricity
    • How this Works
    • Learning Center
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Partner Inquiries

Free Power Weekends

Find out if Direct Energy Free Power Weekends is right for you.

  • Compare Power
  • Direct Energy Free Power Weekends 
compare power author
Author

Graham Griffin

✉️ Get in touch
Compare Power Reviews

Any product or company names, marks, or logos shown on this page are the property of their respective owners. ComparePower is an unaffiliated, independent marketplace.

Direct Energy Free Power Weekends 

Direct Energy Free Power Weekends is one of two offers from Direct Energy advertising free electricity during certain times of the week. 

If you’re reading this, you probably heard or saw an ad from Direct Energy promoting this plan and are wondering if it is right for your home. 

We broke down the details and have some tips to help you make an informed energy decision for your household. 

Table of Contents
  • Is Direct Energy Free Power Weekends right for me? 
  • What is Direct Energy Free Power Weekends?
  • How does Direct Energy Free Power Weekends work?
  • How much does Direct Energy Free Power Weekends cost?
  • Direct Energy Free Power Weekends alternatives

Is Direct Energy Free Power Weekends right for me? 

For most people, “free-time” electricity plans don’t make sense because they cost more yearly than standard fixed-rate plans.

With energy at high prices, Direct Energy Free Power Weekends could save you money with a shift in your usage.

If you can hold off until the weekend for things like laundry that consume high electricity, this plan is designed to save you money each week.

Important: Direct Energy includes the free weekend usage discount in the advertised rate for this plan. You will NOT see an added discount on your electricity usage and MUST shift at least 31% of your usage to the weekend to get the advertised rate.

Free electricity could help your bills, but you need to shop with your home’s actual electricity usage to make sure Direct Energy Free Power Weekends is a good choice for you.

Before buying into the advertising hype, input your electricity usage here on ComparePower, and we’ll show you a detailed pricing breakdown for every plan.

Compare Direct Energy Free Power Weekends pricing with fixed-rate plans, so you know which will help you save the most on electricity throughout the year.

The #1 most important thing to know is your home's energy usage. 

This 2-minute video explains why shopping with your usage is so important ⤵️ 

Quickly determine if Direct Energy Free Power Weekends is right for your home with your kilowatt-hour usage👇🏽

Note: The easiest way to get 12 months of usage history is to log into your provider dashboard. You can also create an account with Smart Meter Texas to get usage readings for your home in 15-minute intervals.

Moving or Switching?
1 of 5

Are you moving in, or are you just looking to switch to a new electric company?

House or Apartment?
2 of 5

Is this for a House or an Apartment?

What’s your usage?
3 of 5

Choose your home type or enter your monthly usage to shop total monthly cost:

Small Home
500-1200 square feet,
~500kWh usage
Medium Home
1200-2000 square feet,
~1000kWh usage
Large Home
2000-3000 square feet,
~1500kWh usage
x-Large Home
3000+ square feet,
~2000kWh usage
Your own average
Enter your monthly kWh average
Enter your past usage history

Enter your own monthly usage history:

Some plans have different discounts, fees, and pricing tiers that may or may not apply each month depending on your usage.

ComparePower will calculate each month’s bill for every plan and show total cost for all bills combined.

Click on each month above to input as much usage data as you have. Then press the “next” button.

January
kWh
February
kWh
March
kWh
April
kWh
May
kWh
June
kWh
July
kWh
August
kWh
September
kWh
October
kWh
November
kWh
December
kWh

Things to consider...

Why is comparing monthly plan cost based on your usage so important?

Electricity companies advertise their best “price per kWh” rates based on an exact monthly usage (usually 1000 or 2000 kWh). But you don’t use exactly 1000 kWh or exactly 2000 kWh. No one does.

This advertised “price per kWh” doesn’t apply the same in different households that use different amounts of energy. It’s not the same as gasoline pricing where the “price per gallon” applies to every gallon.

Buy 1 gallon or 10, it’s all the same price per gallon.

This is simply not the case with electricity. Every plan has a different equation used to calculate your monthly bill. The math is complicated.

At ComparePower, that math has already been done for you for every plan. We show you total monthly energy costs for all the plans based on your expected monthly usage.

This way you can be confident you aren’t signing up for a low advertised rate but instead choose a rate based on costs for your usage. That’s real power.

How can I find out how much I expect to use?

Moving?

  • choose a usage based on home size, or
  • Not sure? Click here use our estimator tool

Switching?

  • look at your past bills and click here to enter your estimated monthly usage or
  • Have your usage history for past bills? Click here to leverage our most powerful tool and shop based on your usage history.

Terms / Contracts
4 of 5

What contact terms interest you?

IMPORTANT NOTE:

If you move out before your fixed-rate contract is up, don’t worry. You will NOT be charged an early termination fee if you cancel your service because you are moving. Texas law!

Things to consider...

Will I be charged a fee if I move out or cancel service before the end of my contract?

Texas law states that in the event of a move out, energy companies cannot charge a contract “early termination fee”.

This enables you to choose any term contract you like without fear of being charged a large fee if you have to move.

If you enter into a contract and switch providers (not move, but switch providers at the same address) more than 14 days early of your contract’s expiration, you will be charged an early termination fee.

So, don’t worry about your lease length or if you have to move. Just be sure to not switch providers before 14 days early of your contract expiration. You can determine you expiration date by calling your provider, or it may be printed on your bill.

How important is “Going Green”?
5 of 5

Green Energy is energy generated from renewable resource like wind and solar.

Things to consider...

What is “Going Green” with energy?

Green Energy, also called Renewable Energy or Renewable Energy Content, is energy generated by Wind, Hydroelectric Dams, Solar Panels, etc.

As opposed to Coal or Nuclear processes, these Green Resources are easily replenished and take less of a toll on Earth’s ecosystem.

How does my choice make an impact?

When you elect to purchase 100% Green Energy the amount of energy your home uses is added back into the Energy Grid by renewable resources only (Wind, Hyrdoelectric, Solar, etc.)

The electricity itself is the same, you are just ensuring that the method used to generate it takes less of a toll on our natural resources.

Estimator Tool

1. Size of home:

2. Number of residents:

3. Your energy habits:

Approximate monthly kWh usage:

690 kWh

Disclaimer: This tool is for approximation purposes only. Accuracy is not guaranteed or implied.

The approximated monthly usage is based on an average over 12 months. Air conditioning and heating costs can vary and often account for up to 50 percent of your home’s energy use during different seasons.

Factors such as size of your home, weather, construction, heating and cooling equipment type, insulation, and family living habits will influence your actual usage.

What is Direct Energy Free Power Weekends?

Direct Energy Free Power Weekends is a “time-of-use” plan. With time-of-use plans, you get a discount, or even free electricity, during certain times of the day or year.

These discounts can stack up to actual savings, but only if you can shift your usage to the times when you are getting a discount.

With Free Power Weekends, Direct Energy offers free electricity on the weekends. From Friday at 6 pm through Sunday at 11:59 pm, the energy charge on your bill is discounted to zero.

You can use as much electricity as you want, without worrying about a high electric bill at the end of the month.

Direct Energy offers both a 12-month and 24-month contract to get free electricity on the weekends for an extended period.

With the 12-month contract, Direct Energy offers a discount on your energy charge if you sign up for autopay.

How does Direct Energy Free Power Weekends work?

Direct Energy Free Power Weekends is a time-of-use plan, meaning you get discount electricity during certain times throughout the year.

Free Power Weekends was created to give you free electricity on the weekends to help you budget for electricity and cut down on your bills.

Weekend discount 

From 6 pm on Friday through 11:59 pm on Sunday, Direct Energy discounts your electricity. 

Important: This discount only applies to the energy charge on your bill. 

On the weekends, Direct Energy cuts the energy charge of your bill to zero, and the TDU charges are not passed on to you. 

How much does Direct Energy Free Power Weekends cost?

At the time of writing, Direct Energy listed Free Power Weekends at 26.3 cents per kWh at 1000 kWh monthly usage in the Oncor service area, which includes the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

This price includes a 0.5 cent per kWh discount for signing up for autopay. If you do not sign up for autopay, Direct Energy advertises Free Power Weekends at 26.5 cents per kWh at 1000 kWh monthly usage.

A base fee of $4.95 is charged monthly regardless of your electricity usage.

Important: Direct Energy includes the discounts in the advertised 26.3 cents per kWh price for the Oncor area. You will NOT see an additional discount on your electricity usage.

No one uses 1000 kWh every month, and your usage will vary, affecting the rate you pay.

If you are considering signing up for Direct Energy Free Power Weekends, make sure you shop with your home’s actual usage to see if you will benefit from the discount.

Average Texan 

Are you similar to the average Texan? According to eia.gov, the average Texan paid 12.8 cents per kWh for electricity in 2021. 

With average usage of 1,132 kWh per month, the average Texas electricity bill would be right around $144.90 each month. 

With the weather in Texas swinging each season, your usage and electricity bill can change as quickly as the weather. 

Remember that these average numbers are taken from statewide data and that your usage could be drastically different based on the size and age of your home, your appliances, and your electricity usage habits. 

Free Power Weekends

Compared to the Texas average, Direct Energy Free Power Weekends is more expensive at 26.3 cents per kWh advertised at 1000 kWh usage. 

At 1,132 kWh of usage, your average monthly bill with Direct Energy Free Power Weekends would be $296.93. 

That’s almost 105% more than the average Texan paid last year for their electricity bills. 

Your electricity bill could be even more expensive, especially if you can’t shift at least 31% of your electricity usage to the weekend. 

Other fees

You’ll find a Base and TDU delivery charge alongside your energy charge on your bill.  

Direct Energy collects a base charge of $4.95 regardless of your monthly electricity usage. 

The TDU charge depends on which company services the area that you live in. The TDU charge for the Oncor area, covering the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, is currently 3.89 cents per kWh. Oncor also collects a base charge of $3.42 each month. 

Direct Energy Free Power Weekends also has an early termination fee of $150 for the 12-month contract and $295 for the 24-month contract. 

Before signing up, make sure you shop with your home’s unique usage profile to avoid high bills and the need to end your contract early. 

Digging into the Terms of Service, Direct Energy lists additional fees for late payments, returned payments, collection recovery, disconnect recovery, and any payments made with the help of customer support agents. 

If you regularly need help with payments, you might consider a different electricity plan to avoid these fees. 

Are you getting free electricity?

You might wonder if there is any catch for getting the weekends free with Direct Energy Free Power Weekends.

Most providers offer free electricity plans and pass on TDU charges to you for that time. It seems like you are getting that electricity for free, but you still end up paying for your usage during the free periods.

Compared to other free nights and weekends plans, Direct Energy’s Free Power Weekends stands out because the electricity is actually free on the weekends. 

Direct Energy discounts your energy charge to zero during the weekends and does not pass on TDU charges. 

Direct Energy does charge a base fee of $4.95 each month, so even if all your usage was during your free time, you would still have to pay a small amount. 

Overall, Direct Energy Free Power Weekends is one of the few free nights and weekends plans that offers up truly free electricity usage during the weekends. 

Direct Energy Free Power Weekends alternatives

Best Free Nights & Weekends Energy Plans

Get free electricity every night or every weekend. You have a choice when it comes to your electricity provider. We’re here to make that choice easy with the best in service, plans, prices, and perks, like free power. The energy plans on this page offer free electricity during certain times of the day or week….
Read More Best Free Nights & Weekends Energy Plans

Is this information helpful?

Does this page help you make a more informed energy decision?

User Feedback


Energy_Bill_Usage_kWh
Learn | Savvy Saver

Kilowatt-hour Calculator

Electricity usage calculator Each home and apartment has its unique usage profile, so the best way to shop for electricity is with your exact usage. Enter your home size, occupants, and energy usage habits below, and we’ll give you a rough idea of the amount of electricity in kWh you will see on your monthly…
Read More Kilowatt-hour Calculator
lower electricity bill texas
Learn | Switching

How to Lower Your High Electricity Bill

Say bye-bye to surprise electricity bills If your electricity bill is higher than average, you may be on the wrong plan. You can save money by switching to a new plan that better fits your usage. Learn how to switch & save 👉 In Texas, you can choose an electricity plan that fits your lifestyle…
Read More How to Lower Your High Electricity Bill
switch electricity providers
Learn | Switching

Switch Electricity Companies

Switch to savings There is no one-size-fits-all when finding the right energy plan for your home in Texas. Your best energy plan will depend on your specific needs, preferences, and monthly energy usage. We’ll show you how to make an informed decision when choosing the best energy company plan for your home.  Switch & save…
Read More Switch Electricity Companies
electricity contract renewals
Learn | Switching

How Electricity Contract Renewals Work in Texas

How electricity contract renewals work in Texas You do not have to renew your energy contract with your electricity provider. You can choose another provider and switch to a cheaper rate. We’ll show you how in this short guide. If your electricity contract is about to expire, shop the market before renewing your contract. Rates…
Read More How Electricity Contract Renewals Work in Texas
Same-day electricity service
Learn | Moving

Start Electricity Service

Start electricity service with ComparePower. Get your service when you need it. Follow these steps to start electric service when moving to a new house, apartment, condo, etc. in Texas.
Read More Start Electricity Service
SameDay Electric Service
Learn | Moving

Get Power ON Today

Get power on today Same-day electricity service can be an excellent option for those who need power immediately. We’ll help you get power on today at a great price. In a rush? Start with your zip code to compare plans and rates in your area. Pick a plan. Choose your service start date at checkout…
Read More Get Power ON Today
apartment electricity
Moving

Apartment Electricity

Before you move in, make sure you have an electricity account number. You won’t be allowed to move into your apartment complex until you set up electric service in your name. With ComparePower, you can find an electricity plan for your apartment and sign up in five minutes, confident you’ve made the right choice.
Read More Apartment Electricity
fixed vs. variable rate electricity
Learn

Fixed-Rate vs. Variable-Rate Electricity

Which is better: Fixed-rate or variable-rate electricity? Those who have lived in Texas for more than a year may recall when winter storm Uri hit the state over Valentine’s Day weekend in 2021. Millions of people in Texas were left without power by a storm that brought freezing temperatures and widespread outages, causing billions of…
Read More Fixed-Rate vs. Variable-Rate Electricity
power wizard
Companies | Reviews

Power Wizard: Everything You Need To Know

Power Wizard Power Wizard charges you $89 a year, or $14.95 for one-time access to their results, using the same information you’ll find on the state-run electricity choice website power to choose for free. Instead of paying for publicly available information, spend 10 minutes shopping with your home’s unique usage profile to find the best…
Read More Power Wizard: Everything You Need To Know
electricity contracts
Energy Made Easy | Learn

Electricity Contracts: Know the Facts Before You Sign

Electricity contracts: Know the facts before you sign If you’re shopping for an electricity plan in Texas, it’s essential to know how to read an electricity contract.  When choosing the right energy plan for your household, you can consider various options, including long-term, short-term, fixed-rate, and variable-rate contracts. You are entering into a legal agreement….
Read More Electricity Contracts: Know the Facts Before You Sign
energy ogre 1
Companies | Reviews

Energy Ogre: Know Before You Buy

Energy Ogre Energy Ogre charges you $120 for something you could do yourself in 10 minutes or less on ComparePower with your usage history. How does that sound? The alternative to paying energy Ogre $120 is spending ten minutes shopping with YOUR home’s usage on ComparePower, saving time and money.  The good, the bad, and…
Read More Energy Ogre: Know Before You Buy
best power to choose alternative in Texas
Companies | Reviews

The Best Power to Choose Alternative

Power to Choose alternative We all have to shop for electricity; let’s be honest, it can be a pain. In Texas, more than 60 energy companies offer hundreds of plans and rates, so how do you pick the right one for you? Texas residents who are unaware of better choices turn to powertochoose.org. The truth…
Read More The Best Power to Choose Alternative
TXU energy Season Pass Free Nights Solar Days
Plans | Reviews

TXU Energy Ultimate Summer Pass 

TXU Energy Ultimate Summer Pass  The Ultimate Summer Pass is TXU’s latest energy offering in a long line of energy plans featuring free electricity. If you’re reading this, you probably heard or saw an ad from TXU promoting its latest plan and wonder if it is right for your home. We’ll break down the details…
Read More TXU Energy Ultimate Summer Pass 
Gexa Energy Rates, Prices, Plans, and Reviews
Plans | Reviews

Gexa Energy Saver

Before buying into the advertising hype, enter your electricity usage, and we’ll show you a detailed pricing breakdown for every plan. Charges breakdown The Energy Saver 24 plan is advertised at 17.6 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) at 1000 kWh usage for the Oncor service area. On the Electricity Facts Label (EFL), Gexa Energy lists the…
Read More Gexa Energy Saver
texas energy
Learn | Moving

Moving to Texas? Start here…

New to Texas? Start here… They say Texas has two seasons: winter and summer. Usually, they alternate days within the same week. Finding the right energy plan can be about as challenging as predicting the Texas weather. That’s where we come in. We have been helping Texans save money on their energy bills for over…
Read More Moving to Texas? Start here…
Compare rates and instantly choose the best energy plan for your home:
No Deposit? Poor Credit?

Get your electricity on today with no deposit.

User Reviews for ComparePower

Compare Power Reviews

Compare Power

ComparePower
1920 McKinney Ave 7th Floor
Dallas, TX 75201
(469) 298-8045

Rated 4.9 / 5 stars based on 57409 reviews from Shopper Approved

TX Broker Registration BR190020

Electricity Information

Texas Electricity Rates

Texas Electricity Companies

Texas Electric Utilities

No Deposit Electricity (No Credit Check)

Business Electricity

RESOURCES & QUICK LINKS

Search our Learning Center

57,000 + Real Customer Reviews for ComparePower

Stuck in an electricity contract?

Switch Electricity Companies

How Deregulation Works

About Us

Careers at ComparePower

Contact Us

Editorial Team

Partner with Us

BLOG/NEWS

Electricity Contracts: Know the Facts Before You Sign

How to Read Your Electricity Facts Label

Get Power ON Today

How Electricity Contract Renewals Work in Texas

How to Read Your Electricity Bill in Texas

How to Lower Your High Electricity Bill

Moving? Transfer Electricity Service or Shop and Save

Switch Electricity Companies

Kilowatt-hour Calculator

© 2009-2023 Compare Power, LLC. All rights reserved. ComparePower® is a registered trademark of Compare Power, LLC. Privacy Policy | Terms
Power to Choose - Compare Electric Rates and Energy Companies