[X]
Write ReviewJump to 
10
Helpful
Votes
Votes
Direct Energy Complaint - Do not use Direct Energy - Electricity Provider
Electricity Provider - Complaint
DALLAS, TEXAS -- Direct Energy was my service provider for 2 years. Over the course of the 2 years I steadily saw my bills increase from $200 per month to a hefty $600 per month. At first, I thought the increases were due to increasing gas and oil prices.
When I started receiving bills near $400 a month, I called and asked to have my meter checked. It was supposedly checked and they maintained it was functioning properly.
Suddenly, after my meter was checked the bills jumped back down to around $250. Then slowly they began to rise again. The changes in my bills did not correlate with weather changes.
This past February we had very nice springlike weather here in Texas. I did not turn on my heat or AC for 6 weeks. I used my lights and other electrical devices very sparingly, making an effort to use a minimal amount of electricity. It was almost as if I was playing a game to see how little electricity I could use. I even used candles after the sun went down to see how low I could get my usage.
Imagine the extreme horror I felt when I received the bill for February. It was $587!!!
I have switched providers now. Direct Energy persisted in stating that I must have a problem in my home that is causing the high bills.
I am delighted to report that I have now received two bills from my new provider. The first bill was $180. The second was $197. Please note... the $197 was me returning to the comforts I should be able to enjoy in my own home, such as lighting, having my TV on in the background and , yes, temperature control. Now my bills are comparable with my neighbors and family living in similar sized homes.
Direct Energy almost put me into financial ruin. It makes me sick to think of all of the money they scammed me out of in two short years!
Bottom line... DO NOT USE DIRECT ENERGY, unless you want to throw your money away!
When I started receiving bills near $400 a month, I called and asked to have my meter checked. It was supposedly checked and they maintained it was functioning properly.
Suddenly, after my meter was checked the bills jumped back down to around $250. Then slowly they began to rise again. The changes in my bills did not correlate with weather changes.
This past February we had very nice springlike weather here in Texas. I did not turn on my heat or AC for 6 weeks. I used my lights and other electrical devices very sparingly, making an effort to use a minimal amount of electricity. It was almost as if I was playing a game to see how little electricity I could use. I even used candles after the sun went down to see how low I could get my usage.
Imagine the extreme horror I felt when I received the bill for February. It was $587!!!
I have switched providers now. Direct Energy persisted in stating that I must have a problem in my home that is causing the high bills.
I am delighted to report that I have now received two bills from my new provider. The first bill was $180. The second was $197. Please note... the $197 was me returning to the comforts I should be able to enjoy in my own home, such as lighting, having my TV on in the background and , yes, temperature control. Now my bills are comparable with my neighbors and family living in similar sized homes.
Direct Energy almost put me into financial ruin. It makes me sick to think of all of the money they scammed me out of in two short years!
Bottom line... DO NOT USE DIRECT ENERGY, unless you want to throw your money away!
Comments:
Posted by Jop on 2007-06-10:
Who is your provider now?
Posted by forcomplaintsonly on 2008-03-21:
I know with our electric provider(First Energy), they put the amount towards tht bottom on how much each kilowatt cost. The funny thing, they say they re-evuate you every 3 months, I know why they do this, it is so that they can keep the same money coming in, if they only evuated you once a year and you conserve electric so your bill would go down, then they would not be getting as much money, so they re-evuate you, every 3 months, that way, if you are conserving and they see that you are using less kilowatts, then they raise the cost, that way they still have the same money coming in. This is trickery and probably no way to really prove it, but come people, common sense plays a big role and I know how they operate.
Posted by MadTexan on 2008-06-22:
Really. Who IS your provider now?
Direct Energy did the same thing to us. I can PROVE they didn't read my meter for at least 6 months as it was broken from November to April/May. They would have caught it if they HAD been reading my meter. Then when they said they installed a new meter, they said we owed almost $4,000 for the months the meter was broken even though I had been paying on the balanced billing...almost $400 a month!! There is NO WAY we used that amount of electricity, especially as we had been paying all along!! I've written a review posting the details. Unfortunately I can't change providers yet as you must not owe anything in order to be able to change to another company. We are on a fixed income and we've had to cut down on food etc. to try and come up with the additional money to pay Direct Energy. Wonder how many elderly people will die this summer because of Direct Energy's over charging?? People on fixed incomes with Direct Enegy cannot afford to use their A/C's.
Direct Energy did the same thing to us. I can PROVE they didn't read my meter for at least 6 months as it was broken from November to April/May. They would have caught it if they HAD been reading my meter. Then when they said they installed a new meter, they said we owed almost $4,000 for the months the meter was broken even though I had been paying on the balanced billing...almost $400 a month!! There is NO WAY we used that amount of electricity, especially as we had been paying all along!! I've written a review posting the details. Unfortunately I can't change providers yet as you must not owe anything in order to be able to change to another company. We are on a fixed income and we've had to cut down on food etc. to try and come up with the additional money to pay Direct Energy. Wonder how many elderly people will die this summer because of Direct Energy's over charging?? People on fixed incomes with Direct Enegy cannot afford to use their A/C's.
Posted by dcammy on 2012-03-22:
what engery company are you using now? that your bill has decreased dramatically?
Note: All comments are reviewed by a moderator before being published. Please be sure to read our guidelines before commenting.
Company Reps: Post your company response!
Recently Discussed:
More Reviews on Direct Energy:
- Poor Customer Service....A month later....no power! - Electricity for Commercial Building
- Horrible Workmanship and Service - Changing a Hot Water Tank
- Rip off - Electricity
- Avoid Direct Energy - Electricity
- Direct Energy overcharges and returns your money to the state!!!!!! - Electric Service in Houston Texas