Direct Energy – Twelve Hours Power Plan
Twelve Hour Power 18 Auto Pay
Free Hours (Day/Night)
Term:
18 months
Last update:
April 29, 2026
Advertised average rates
1,000 kWh
16.10¢
500 kWh
17.30¢
2,000 kWh
15.50¢
Advertised average rates
1,000 kWh
16.10¢
500 kWh
17.30¢
2,000 kWh
15.50¢
This plan from Direct Energy is one of the most well-known free-night plans in the market. It offers 12 hours of free electricity, and very few companies provide such a wide free window. It is especially popular among households with solar panels. This is a truly free-night plan, meaning your electricity usage is fully free during the free-hours window.
There are, however, several drawbacks to this plan. First, it comes with a relatively high base charge, so you pay around $10 per month no matter what. Also, the energy rate during the paid window is high. It is not outrageous, but it is definitely on the high side.
Atlantex Power – Luminous Night Plan
Luminous Nights
Free Hours (Day/Night)
Term:
12 months
Last update:
April 16, 2026
Advertised average rates
1,000 kWh
13.20¢
500 kWh
13.70¢
2,000 kWh
13.00¢
Advertised average rates
1,000 kWh
13.20¢
500 kWh
13.70¢
2,000 kWh
13.00¢
Along with Direct Energy, Atlantex Power is one of the few providers offering a 12-hour free-night plan. Even though this plan is marketed as “free,” it is not completely free of charge. You still have to pay TDU delivery charges during the free-hours window. To compensate for that, Atlantex offers a lower energy rate during the paid window than many other free-night plans.
Key Difference Between Both Plans
Even though both plans offer a 12-hour free window, they differ in how TDU charges apply during those hours. Fortunately, we found a way to graph and present the comparison so you can evaluate these plans accurately and decide whether either one fits your household.
The source of the Direct Energy data is the Direct Energy website. On the other hand, Clear Energy Facts has an exclusive rate with Atlantex Power, and the rate used in this comparison is only available if you use the promo code CLEARENERGYFACTS on the Atlantex Power website.
This comparison reflects rates for the Dallas (Oncor) area for terms between 12 and 24 months. The price gap between these two plans remains relatively consistent across other term lengths and service areas.
Direct vs Atlantex (Free Window %)
This chart is dynamic, and you can change the usage filter in the top-right corner. For the filter selection, use 500 kWh or 1,000 kWh if you live in an apartment. Use 1,000 kWh and 2,000 kWh for medium to large houses, and 2,000 kWh to 3,000 kWh for very large houses.
- This graph shows the effective rate you would pay under each plan depending on what percentage of your electricity usage you are able to shift into the free-hours window. The graph takes into account all costs during both the free and paid windows, so it provides a true apples-to-apples comparison.
- These two plans share the same free-electricity window, from 9:00 PM to 8:59 AM. To compare them properly, you first need to estimate how much electricity your household uses. You will notice that the graph above includes a filter for 500 / 1000 / 2000 / 3000 kWh, and the point at which each plan becomes the better option changes depending on that usage level.
Bill Estimation Based on Your Free-Window Usage
Similar to the chart above, the table below shows your estimated bill based on two parameters: the percentage of your usage that falls within the free window, and your total usage (you can change this with the filter at the top right). These two parameters allow you to make a fair comparison between the two plans, even though they differ in how they charge during the free window. For an apartment or a medium-sized house, the fairest filter to use is 1,000 kWh, as explained in the chart.
Direct vs Atlantex (Rate Table)
Monthly bill by free-window usage percentage
Best Household for Atlantex Power
- This exclusive Clear Energy Facts offer works well for most households, as long as you can keep around 50% of your usage inside the free window.
- The real advantage appears when you are able to shift 55% or more of your usage into the free window. At that point, this plan can outperform some of the most competitive true fixed plans in the market.
- Small apartments can benefit especially well from this plan. Since consumption is lower and there is no base charge, you reduce the risk of overpaying if you fail to shift enough usage into the free window. You also avoid the extra $10 monthly base charge found on the Direct Energy plan.
Best Household for Direct Energy’s Plan
- Direct Energy’s plan can be a strong choice for large homes where you are confident you can shift 65% or more of your electricity use into the free window.
- If you can consistently do that, this plan can become extremely competitive and may even beat the best true fixed plans.
- In practice, however, shifting 65% to 70% of your electricity usage between 9:00 PM and 9:00 AM is not easy.
- For households with solar panels, this target may be easier to achieve, which can make Direct Energy a very attractive option.
- Always confirm with Direct Energy whether they currently accept solar customers, since those requirements can change over time.
Recommendations for Both Plans
Remember: nothing in this market is truly free. Both companies compensate for the free hours by charging higher rates during the daytime. To make either plan work well, you need to adjust your habits and shift as much usage as possible into the free window.
Here are a few practical ways to do that:
- Keep your thermostat as high as comfortably possible between 9:00 AM and 9:00 PM. For many households, 76°F is a reasonable daytime setting.
- Between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM, you can lower the temperature more aggressively so your HVAC system takes longer to kick back on once the paid window begins.
- Do laundry after 9:00 PM or before 9:00 AM. One advantage of these 12-hour plans is that the free period covers hours when most people are still awake.
- The same idea applies to electric water heating. If possible, showers and other high hot-water usage should also happen during the free window.
Final Summary
In summary, both plans can work well for certain households. However, Atlantex Power has the advantage of being a better fit for a wider range of users because its daytime rate structure is more forgiving.
- For apartments and medium-to-large homes without solar, Atlantex Power is usually the safer choice.
- For large homes with strong usage-shifting habits, or for homes with solar, Direct Energy may offer the biggest upside.