Direct Energy Customers Praise Prepaid Service for Its Convenience, Savings

HOUSTON, June 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Summer brings some of the best things in life – brighter days, summer vacations, hours at the beach or pool. It also brings higher temperatures and with it higher electricity bills as consumption increases.

"With pay-as-you-go, you know each day what you spend," said Tonie Page*. "You can remember what you did yesterday versus what you did a month ago. It took all the guesswork out of what my bill was going to be. I love the program."

Direct Energy offers a new way to pay designed to help Texans regain control of their electricity usage and budget just in time for the official, first day of summer, June 21. With the Power-To-Go(SM) electricity payment plan Direct Energy sends a text or email daily to customers notifying them of their electricity usage and their account balance, taking the guesswork out of it.

"Summertime doesn't have to mean higher electricity bills," said Jim Steffes, vice president and general manager of Direct Energy. "By implementing some simple tips and using a plan designed for the budget-conscience consumer, people can get control over their electricity bills. Prepaid service allows customers to choose when they pay, how they pay and what they pay."

The prepaid service doesn't require a credit check or deposit. It offers convenient payment options with no hidden fees. Best of all, the daily updates encourage customers to monitor and change their energy-consumption habits. Customers may also be more conscious of the environmental and budget impact of those changes.

"My prepaid electricity has been running $25 to $30 a month whereas my bill used to be somewhere between $100 and $180," said Marilyn Evans*. "I think it is a lot, lot better to give people not having a lot of money the control over what they're getting in electricity."

Direct Energy was the first of the three largest retail electric providers in Texas to offer consumers the choice of a hassle-free way to pay for their electricity, as and when they need it. Consumers now can be in control – simply paying for what they use and the flexibility to pay for more electricity when it meets their needs.

"I've recommended it to my father, two of my coworkers and my best friend," said Tonie. "They were very impressed."

With Direct Energy's strong financial status and on-going focus on a positive customer experience, consumers can be confident that they are dealing with a company that will work every day as their long-term energy partner.  

Potential customers may learn more about the product and may enroll by calling 1-866-274-0183 or visiting www.directenergy.com/prepaid.

* Customer quotes taken from actual Direct Energy prepaid customers during taped interviews in May 2011.

About Direct Energy

Direct Energy is one of North America's largest energy and energy-related services providers with over 6 million residential and commercial customer relationships. Through its Direct Energy, CPL Retail Energy and WTU Retail Energy brands, the company is the third-largest retail electricity provider in Texas. It owns three power generation facilities and a series of energy-related services companies - including Wendland Air Conditioning and Heating serving the Coastal Bend. Direct Energy provides customers with choice and support in managing their energy costs through a portfolio of innovative products and services. A subsidiary of Centrica plc (LSE: CNA), one of the world's leading integrated energy companies, Direct Energy operates in 46 states and 10 provinces in Canada. To learn more about Direct Energy, visit www.directenergy.com/Texas.  Direct Energy, LP (PUCT#10040)

SOURCE Direct Energy