Is Direct Energy a licensed Ohio electricity supplier?

Yes. Direct Energy is licensed by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio under license number N/A.

Which Ohio utilities can I use Direct Energy with?

Direct Energy serves customers across Ohio's major utility territories.

Will my utility change if I sign up with Direct Energy?

No. Your distribution utility continues to deliver your electricity. Direct Energy supplies the generation portion only.

How do I compare Direct Energy to my utility's default rate?

Check your utility bill for the "Price to Compare" (PTC). Any supplier rate below that number saves you money on the supply portion.

PUCO-licensed electricity supplier

Direct Energy plans & rates in Ohio

From 8.99¢/kWh fixed30 active OH plans• Rates verified Jun 29, 2026

Direct Energy is a subsidiary of NRG and a PUCO-licensed electricity supplier serving residential customers throughout Ohio. This is an independent comparison, not Direct Energy's official site.

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission if you sign up through our links. Learn more

Reviewed by John Spencer

Updated June 2026 • PUCO License: N/A

See Direct Energy's plans at your address

EIA-cited dataPUCO-sourced90 OH suppliersUpdated June 2026Independent comparison

Our honest take

Is Direct Energy a good choice in Ohio?

Direct Energy is one of Ohio's largest and most established retail electricity providers (part of NRG), with reliable service and a broad range of plans across every major TX utility territory. The honest catch: it's usually not the cheapest.

Direct Energy's cheapest clean fixed rate is 8.99¢/kWh, while the lowest fixed rate available in the same Ohio territories runs about 7.19¢/kWh. You're paying a premium for the brand — fine if service and name recognition matter most to you, but you can often find a lower rate.

Already a Direct Energy customer looking for login, bill pay, or support? Visit directenergy.com. This page is an independent comparison for shoppers.

Volt Butler verdict

Proceed with caution

3.6/5

Cheapest fixed: 8.99¢/kWh
Active TX plans: 30
Bill-credit plans: None
Parent: NRG

Direct Energypros & cons

Pros

One of the largest, most-established retail energy brands (NRG)
Clean, gimmick-free fixed plans — no bill-credit fine print
Dependable service and account tools
Broad utility coverage across deregulated markets

Cons

Its cheapest clean fixed rate typically runs above the market's lowest
A modest premium for the brand
Not the value pick for price-first shoppers

Direct Energy reviews: what people say

Our editorial read of the consensus — not customer quotes or a rating we can't source.

Direct Energy is one of North America's largest and longest-running retail energy brands — an NRG company with broad reach across deregulated markets, dependable service, and clean, gimmick-free plan structures (no bill-credit fine print). Its rates typically aren't the cheapest in a given market — you'll usually find a lower headline number elsewhere — but you're getting a well-established operator with straightforward pricing. A solid, reliable choice that's honest about what it charges; just not the value leader.

Consistently praised for

Large, established, reliable operator
Clean fixed plans with no bill-credit gimmicks
Broad coverage and solid service and tools

Common complaints

Rates typically above the cheapest available
A premium for the brand

What is Direct Energy best for?

Where Direct Energy genuinely stands out — based on the plans it actually offers.

A clean, no-gimmick plan from a major brand

Direct Energy's plans are straight fixed rates with no bill-credit fine print, from one of the most established names in the business — reliability over rock-bottom price.

Locking a straightforward fixed rate

If you want a simple, predictable fixed rate from a big operator and don't mind paying a little above the floor, it fits.

Direct Energy in Ohio

N/A

PUCO License

NRG

Parent company

Electric Generator Supplier

Service type

About Direct Energy in Ohio

Direct Energy is a Public Utilities Commission of Ohio-licensed Electric Generator Supplier serving residential and commercial customers throughout the state. Founded 1986 in Toronto, the company has grown to serve 4+ million across North America.

Acquired by NRG Energy in January 2021, Direct Energy now operates in 50 US states, DC, and 8 Canadian provinces as an NRG subsidiary.

Direct Energy at a glance

Founded: 1986 in Toronto
Parent company: NRG
Current HQ: Houston, TX (NRG HQ)
Customers: 4+ million across North America
Company type: Electric Generator Supplier
Website: directenergy.com

As a competitive retail supplier, Direct Energy competes with other licensed suppliers to provide the generation portion of your electricity bill. Your local utility continues to handle delivery, maintenance, and outage response regardless of which supplier you choose.

Visit directenergy.com to learn more about their current plans and offers.

Direct Energy electricity plans in Ohio

Direct Energy currently offers 30 residential electricity plans across OH utility territories. Rates range from 8.99¢ to 13.89¢/kWh.

Plan Name	Rate	Term	Type	Utility	Action
6mo fixed0	8.99¢/kWh	6 mo	Fixed	Duke Energy Ohio	View
6mo fixed0	8.99¢/kWh	6 mo	Fixed	Ohio Edison	View
6mo fixed0	8.99¢/kWh	6 mo	Fixed	AEP Ohio	View
6mo fixed0	9.09¢/kWh	6 mo	Fixed	The Illuminating Company	View
6mo fixed0	9.09¢/kWh	6 mo	Fixed	Toledo Edison	View
6mo fixed0	9.49¢/kWh	6 mo	Fixed	AES Ohio	View
12mo fixed0	11.19¢/kWh	12 mo	Fixed	Toledo Edison	View
12mo fixed0	11.39¢/kWh	12 mo	Fixed	The Illuminating Company	View
12mo fixed0	11.39¢/kWh	12 mo	Fixed	Ohio Edison	View
12mo fixed0	11.39¢/kWh	12 mo	Fixed	AEP Ohio	View
12mo fixed0	11.49¢/kWh	12 mo	Fixed	AES Ohio	View
18mo fixed0	11.69¢/kWh	18 mo	Fixed	AEP Ohio	View
24mo fixed 100% renewable100% green	11.69¢/kWh	24 mo	Fixed	AEP Ohio	View
18mo fixed0	11.69¢/kWh	18 mo	Fixed	Ohio Edison	View
18mo fixed0	11.79¢/kWh	18 mo	Fixed	Toledo Edison	View
18mo fixed0	11.79¢/kWh	18 mo	Fixed	AES Ohio	View
24mo fixed 100% renewable100% green	11.79¢/kWh	24 mo	Fixed	AES Ohio	View
24mo fixed 100% renewable100% green	11.79¢/kWh	24 mo	Fixed	Ohio Edison	View
24mo fixed 100% renewable100% green	11.79¢/kWh	24 mo	Fixed	Toledo Edison	View
12mo fixed0	11.89¢/kWh	12 mo	Fixed	Duke Energy Ohio	View
18mo fixed0	11.89¢/kWh	18 mo	Fixed	The Illuminating Company	View
24mo fixed0	11.99¢/kWh	24 mo	Fixed	The Illuminating Company	View
18mo fixed0	12.19¢/kWh	18 mo	Fixed	Duke Energy Ohio	View
24mo fixed 100% renewable100% green	12.19¢/kWh	24 mo	Fixed	Duke Energy Ohio	View
24mo fixed0	13.39¢/kWh	24 mo	Fixed	AEP Ohio	View
24mo fixed0	13.49¢/kWh	24 mo	Fixed	Toledo Edison	View
24mo fixed0	13.49¢/kWh	24 mo	Fixed	AES Ohio	View
24mo fixed0	13.49¢/kWh	24 mo	Fixed	Ohio Edison	View
24mo fixed 100% renewable100% green	13.59¢/kWh	24 mo	Fixed	The Illuminating Company	View
24mo fixed0	13.89¢/kWh	24 mo	Fixed	Duke Energy Ohio	View

Rates last verified Jun 29, 2026. Actual rates may vary by utility territory. Enter your ZIP code for personalized rates.

Direct Energy estimated bill by usage

Estimated monthly supply cost using Direct Energy's lowest available rate (8.99¢/kWh). Find your typical kWh usage on your utility bill.

Light

$45/mo

500 kWh/month

Apartment, 1-2 people

Average

$90/mo

1000 kWh/month

Small home, 2-3 people

Medium

$135/mo

1500 kWh/month

Mid-size home, 3-4 people

High

$180/mo

2000 kWh/month

Large home, 4+ people

Supply cost only. Your total bill also includes delivery charges from your utility, which vary by territory.

How Direct Energy compares to other OH suppliers

Ohio has 90+ PUCO-licensed residential suppliers. Here's how Direct Energy fits in the landscape:

How to enroll with Direct Energy in OH

Compare rates

Visit directenergy.com or use our ZIP submit to see what plans are currently offered for your area.

Check your PTC

Compare Direct Energy's rate against your utility's default service rate. This is listed on your bill as " Price to Compare."

Enroll directly

Direct Energy also enrolls customers through Apples to Apples and licensed brokers.

Frequently asked questions

Is Direct Energy a licensed OH electricity supplier?: Yes. Direct Energy is licensed by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio under license number N/A.
Which OH utilities can I use Direct Energy with?: Direct Energy serves customers across Ohio's major utility territories.
Will my utility change if I sign up with Direct Energy?: No. Your distribution utility continues to deliver your electricity. Direct Energy supplies the generation portion only. You'll see both charges on your utility bill.
How do I compare Direct Energyto my utility's default rate?: Check your utility bill for the "Price to Compare" (PTC). Any supplier rate below that number saves you money on the supply portion of your bill.
Are Direct Energy's rates competitive?: Not the lowest. Direct Energy's cheapest fixed rate is about 8.99¢/kWh, versus roughly 7.19¢/kWh for the cheapest Ohio fixed plan. You pay a premium for the brand.
How do I switch to Direct Energy?: Enter your ZIP to see Direct Energy's current plans for your address, pick one, and enroll. Your OHdelivery utility stays the same and your power isn't interrupted — only the supplier on your bill changes, typically by your next meter read.