429:. In Ontario, Direct Energy previously rented water heaters to around 600,000 residential homeowners; this division was sold off in 2014 and subsequently rebranded as Enercare. Through its services division, Direct Energy installs and services heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment. It also can perform energy retrofits and other energy management projects at larger facilities. Direct Energy’s Home and Business Services division employs over 1,400 technicians providing residential customers with heating, ventilation and air conditioner (HVAC), plumbing, home improvements, water heater and electrical appliance services.
508:
from purposefully or accidentally misleading citizens about energy plans. The company was fined over $ 5,000 in penalties for the damages caused by the negligence. The
Ontario government has since passed a bill that would require energy retailers to follow up on each contract sold to ensure the customer had willingly made the purchase which should allow energy companies to ensure that customers were not swayed by unethical sales pitches.
263:. In August 2014, Direct Energy increased their ability to provide services that increase the efficiency of the American and Canadian home when it announced its partnership with SmartThings. A SmartThing's Hub allows the user to connect with a smart device, secure the home with sensors, and control certain electrical devices.
485:
Former CEO Chris Weston has given several speeches stating the need for deregulation of the energy market and the need for consumers to pay the actual price for energy rather than what he considers its current artificially low position. Weston spoke at KEMA’s 21st
Executive Forum on the benefits of a
233:
The company’s new strategy calls for increased investment in North
America, specifically to grow its upstream asset cover to 35-40%; it also plans to grow its downstream businesses in its core markets of Texas, US North East and Canada. Chris Weston became President & CEO of Direct Energy on July
507:
May 2009 - Some Direct Energy sales people failed to make it clear to customers that they were signing up for unregulated energy rates. In order to prevent this issue from continuing, Direct Energy worked with the
Service Alberta to train staff and implement practices that would prevent sales people
503:
in 2003 after investigators discovered 25 of their sales agents were forging contracts to trap
Ontario and US citizens into long-term energy contracts. After the forgeries committed by sales employees were discovered, Direct Energy president Paul Massara reported that "action deal with these issues
207:
In 2010, Direct Energy acquired
Clockwork Home Services making Direct Energy the largest energy and home services retailer in North America. Clockwork has three brands: One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing and Mister Sparky, which specialize in plumbing, electrical and
458:
Direct Energy encourages volunteerism within their organization through internal company policies, award programs, and grants. Direct Energy encourages their employees to take their first step into community involvement by offering one paid volunteer day a year. Interested employees can choose a
467:
The
Volunteer Citizen of the Year award program allows citizens to nominate individuals or organizations who have through volunteer work made their community better. The winner can choose a charity to receive $ 5000. Last year, the award went to Paul Garrett for his efforts towards cleaning his
476:
The Reduce Your Use For Good grant program was created to help organizations increase the energy efficiency of their program or products. In the past the grant has allowed various organization to increase efficiency. In the past the grant was awarded to a
Pittsburgh community food bank, Medina
532:
March 2014 - An
Alberta judge has certified a class action lawsuit against Direct Energy alleging the company violated the Criminal Code and Canada's Interest Act. The lawsuit alleges Direct Energy's late payment penalties were effectively charging customers a 91 percent interest rate on late
524:, and other water heater suppliers allegedly created contracts with high exit fees, long term contracts, and high buyout charges to make it difficult for customers to switch suppliers. The division of Direct Energy in question was subsequently sold and rebranded as Enercare.
424:
For residential customers and small business, Direct Energy offers fixed price electricity and gas plans, as an alternative to the local utility or in competition with the local competitive energy providers. In Texas, Direct Energy offers a pre-paid electricity plan,
432:
Direct Energy is a regulated gas and electricity provider in
Alberta, operating under the Direct Energy Regulated Services brand. It also offers deregulated service in the Province, operating as Direct Energy.
831:
1015:
1052:
901:
259:
to create a plan that would include a smart thermostat. The Nest smart thermostat will increase homeowners and renters ability to monitor the temperature of their homes for increased
468:
community and encouraging sustainable practices. Garret chose to give the donation to the Mechanicsburg Area School District's Trails and Trees Environmental Center.
604:
266:
In November 2015, the company acquired Israeli startup Panoramic Power, a manufacturer of circuit level wireless sensors that collect energy information, for $ 60M.
1103:
277:
entered an agreement under which NRG would acquire Direct Energy for $ 3.625 billion in an all-cash transaction. The merge was completed on January 5, 2021.
1184:
1179:
1224:
1150:
1026:
927:
Jaremko, Gordon. "Direct targets service firms: Gas marketer accelerates acquisition plans." The Edmonton Journal. 27 Aug. 2004, Edmonton ed.: F1
1060:
1214:
1082:
737:
1204:
542:
1121:
845:
1199:
215:, Bastrop Energy Center, Frontera Energy Center, Paris Energy Center, and Rockyview Energy Inc. Direct Energy has entered into long-term
712:
871:
1169:
1219:
1174:
762:
687:
547:
806:
963:
211:
Direct Energy acquired a number of upstream assets, including gas reserves and power generation facilities. These include:
608:
1209:
1189:
785:
208:
air-conditioning and heating and services, all of which have earned the Diamond Certified Award for excellent service.
520:
began looking into whether water heater rental companies were engaging in anti-competitive practices. Direct Energy,
200:
Direct Energy was founded in Toronto in 1986, as a competitive energy retailer. In 2000, the company was acquired by
21:
486:
competitive energy market and the value it has to consumers. He has also authored opinion pieces on the subject.
50:
553:
648:
558:
622:
517:
212:
661:
832:"NRG Completes Direct Energy Acquisition Forming Leading Integrated Energy and Home Services Company"
418:
237:
Direct Energy announced in January 2012 that it will move its corporate headquarters from Toronto to
216:
576:
230:
wells in Alberta, most recently acquiring natural gas assets from Suncor Energy and Shell Canada.
17:
989:
521:
46:
410:
286:
260:
140:
8:
1194:
773:
36:
674:
245:
location, where the company's residential energy and upstream business are now based.
938:
437:
252:
sold its energy services companies, Energetix and NYSEG Solutions, to Direct Energy.
126:
647:"One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning has passed all rating steps and has earned
450:
In Texas, additional brands of Direct Energy are First Choice Power, Bounce Energy.
390:
330:
774:"Direct Energy Partners with SmartThings to Bring Smart Home to Energy Customers"
500:
350:
242:
101:
763:"Nest Partners With Direct Energy to Offer Smart Home Utility Service Package"
1163:
447:
In West Texas, Direct Energy operates as WTU Retail Energy and WTU Business.
414:
342:
249:
185:
906:
441:
402:
322:
306:
373:. While not providing services to residential customers and businesses in
406:
314:
227:
660:"Benjamin Franklin Plumbing has passed all rating steps and has earned
334:
310:
270:
189:
113:
106:
590:
588:
586:
584:
964:"Direct Energy and PA Media Group seek Volunteer Citizen of the Year"
256:
220:
713:"Direct Energy Completes C$ 113.3M Acquisition of Rockyview Energy"
581:
394:
374:
370:
366:
354:
338:
318:
302:
298:
274:
201:
386:
382:
362:
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346:
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within the next 12 to 18 months. The headquarters will be in the
238:
177:
85:
73:
69:
1143:
577:
http://www.taleo.com/customers/media/pdf/CS_US-DirectEnergy.pdf
398:
181:
173:
204:, the UK-based parent of British energy retailer British Gas.
156:
872:"Direct Energy gives extra month to change water-tank policy"
477:
Creative Housing, and Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley.
378:
326:
290:
89:
1083:"Customer accuses Direct Energy of misleading sales tactics"
688:"Direct Energy completes acquisition of Paris Energy Center"
846:"Direct Energy and NRG Collaborate on EV Charging Solution"
294:
16:
For the French international electric utility company, see
673:"Mister Sparky has passed all rating steps and has earned
1122:"Class action lawsuit filed over Direct Energy late fees"
990:"Direct Energy Awards Community Food Bank $ 2,500 Grant"
377:, Direct Energy has established an Operations Center in
180:
in 1986 and now has more than four million customers in
285:
Direct Energy’s U.S. operations span 46 states and the
1016:"The Future of Retail Energy Markets in North America"
902:"Why Direct Energy is selling Ontario assets: Roseman"
226:
Direct Energy owns and operates approximately 4,600
459:charity or organization to lend their expertise.
1161:
895:
893:
533:payments. The class action is still in process.
504:and we've moved on a long way since that time."
234:1, 2009 following the retirement of Deryk King.
176:and energy services. The company was founded in
786:"Direct Energy Buys Panoramic Power for $ 60M"
738:"Direct Energy gains assets from Shell Canada"
1104:"Returning rented water heater can be tricky"
890:
499:May 2004 - Direct Energy was fined $ 157,500
381:. In Canada, Direct Energy has operations in
543:Deregulation of the Texas electricity market
255:In early 2014, Direct Energy partnered with
1185:Canadian subsidiaries of foreign companies
1180:American subsidiaries of foreign companies
807:"NRG Energy Inc. to Acquire Direct Energy"
436:In South Texas, Direct Energy operates as
1050:
939:"Creative solutions to handle food waste"
480:
280:
1225:Companies based in Harris County, Texas
899:
453:
1162:
1044:
1215:Energy companies of the United States
548:Electric Reliability Council of Texas
1205:Energy companies established in 1986
937:Bain, Jennifter (January 14, 2011).
936:
930:
605:"Direct Energy Business LLC sources"
570:
219:for 813 MW of electricity from five
188:. Direct Energy is a subsidiary of
13:
1200:Electric power companies of Canada
1013:
900:Roseman, Ellen (August 12, 2014).
594:Direct Energy Business LLC sources
14:
1236:
1135:
1051:Robertson, Grant (May 16, 2004).
834:(Press release). 5 January 2021.
788:. greentechmedia.com. 2015-11-16
623:"British company busy Clockwork"
489:
172:is a North American retailer of
1156:Special Report on Direct Energy
1114:
1096:
1075:
1007:
982:
956:
921:
864:
838:
824:
799:
778:
767:
756:
730:
1170:1986 establishments in Ontario
705:
680:
667:
654:
641:
615:
597:
1:
1220:2020 mergers and acquisitions
1175:2000 mergers and acquisitions
564:
554:Electricity policy of Ontario
512:Water Heater Rental Contracts
463:Volunteer Citizen of the Year
22:Direct Énergie (cycling team)
559:Universal Energy Corporation
20:. For the cycling team, see
7:
675:The Diamond Certified Award
662:The Diamond Certified Award
649:The Diamond Certified Award
536:
516:In November 2012, Canada's
213:Quintana Minerals Resources
10:
1241:
1210:Energy companies of Canada
1190:Companies based in Houston
627:Gulf Coast Business Review
195:
15:
1023:KEMA 21st Executive Forum
419:Newfoundland and Labrador
217:power purchase agreements
151:
112:
100:
80:
56:
42:
32:
1053:"Hit by the sales pitch"
717:Natural Gas Intelligence
495:Sales employee oversight
472:Reduce Your Use For Good
137:Home Warranty of America
692:POWERGRID International
1085:. CBC News. 2015-05-04
131:Direct Energy Business
522:Reliance Home Comfort
481:Deregulation position
281:Products and services
811:www.businesswire.com
611:on October 12, 2009.
454:Community investment
411:Prince Edward Island
287:District of Columbia
18:Total Direct Énergie
1032:on December 2, 2012
970:. February 10, 2014
852:. November 20, 2010
37:Limited partnership
29:
1063:on August 26, 2014
742:The Globe and Mail
518:Competition Bureau
134:First Choice Power
47:Electricity retail
27:
438:CPL Retail Energy
261:energy efficiency
167:
166:
141:WTU Retail Energy
127:CPL Retail Energy
1232:
1147:
1146:
1144:Official website
1130:
1129:
1118:
1112:
1111:
1110:. November 2012.
1108:The Toronto Star
1100:
1094:
1093:
1091:
1090:
1079:
1073:
1072:
1070:
1068:
1059:. Archived from
1048:
1042:
1041:
1039:
1037:
1031:
1025:. Archived from
1020:
1011:
1005:
1004:
1002:
1001:
986:
980:
979:
977:
975:
960:
954:
953:
951:
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943:The Toronto Star
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919:
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914:
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885:
883:
878:. March 14, 2012
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684:
678:
671:
665:
658:
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645:
639:
638:
636:
634:
619:
613:
612:
607:. Archived from
601:
595:
592:
579:
574:
391:British Columbia
170:Direct Energy LP
163:
160:
158:
67:
65:
51:gas distribution
30:
28:Direct Energy LP
26:
1240:
1239:
1235:
1234:
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1160:
1159:
1151:The Direct Sell
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1081:
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1014:Weston, Chris.
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850:SmartMeters.com
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744:. April 2, 2011
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735:
731:
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629:. June 10, 2010
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1187:
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1157:
1154:Calgary Herald
1148:
1137:
1136:External links
1134:
1132:
1131:
1113:
1095:
1074:
1057:Calgary Herald
1043:
1006:
996:. June 3, 2013
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876:toronto.ctv.ca
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528:Late Penalties
514:
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482:
479:
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455:
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351:North Carolina
282:
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269:In July 2020,
243:Greenway Plaza
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1128:. March 2014.
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490:Controversies
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415:New Brunswick
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343:Massachusetts
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250:Iberdrola USA
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186:United States
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159:.directenergy
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95:United States
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38:
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31:
23:
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1116:
1107:
1098:
1087:. Retrieved
1077:
1065:. Retrieved
1061:the original
1056:
1046:
1034:. Retrieved
1027:the original
1022:
1009:
998:. Retrieved
993:
984:
972:. Retrieved
967:
958:
946:. Retrieved
942:
932:
923:
911:. Retrieved
907:Toronto Star
905:
880:. Retrieved
875:
866:
854:. Retrieved
849:
840:
826:
815:. Retrieved
813:. 2020-07-24
810:
801:
790:. Retrieved
780:
769:
758:
746:. Retrieved
741:
732:
721:. Retrieved
719:. 2008-01-31
716:
707:
696:. Retrieved
694:. 2006-02-02
691:
682:
669:
656:
643:
631:. Retrieved
626:
617:
609:the original
599:
572:
531:
515:
506:
498:
484:
475:
466:
457:
449:
446:
442:CPL Business
435:
431:
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403:Saskatchewan
323:Rhode Island
307:Pennsylvania
284:
268:
265:
254:
247:
236:
232:
225:
210:
206:
199:
169:
168:
114:Subsidiaries
81:Headquarters
33:Company type
1067:February 7,
427:Power-To-Go
407:Nova Scotia
315:Connecticut
228:natural gas
1195:NRG Energy
1164:Categories
1089:2016-01-06
1000:2014-09-22
817:2020-07-24
792:2016-01-06
723:2021-07-06
698:2021-07-06
565:References
335:New Jersey
311:California
289:including
271:NRG Energy
223:in Texas.
221:wind farms
190:NRG Energy
107:NRG Energy
1036:April 12,
948:April 12,
882:March 14,
856:April 12,
748:April 12,
633:April 12,
257:Nest Labs
248:In 2012,
1126:CBC News
994:Centrica
968:Pen Live
537:See also
395:Manitoba
375:Oklahoma
371:Virginia
367:Oklahoma
355:Kentucky
339:Delaware
331:New York
319:Maryland
303:Illinois
299:Michigan
275:Centrica
202:Centrica
184:and the
76:, Canada
43:Industry
974:Aug 26,
913:May 23,
550:(ERCOT)
387:Alberta
383:Ontario
363:Alabama
359:Indiana
347:Florida
239:Houston
196:History
178:Toronto
152:Website
123:Airtron
86:Houston
74:Ontario
70:Toronto
62: (
57:Founded
417:, and
399:Quebec
182:Canada
174:energy
102:Parent
1030:(PDF)
1019:(PDF)
379:Tulsa
327:Maine
291:Texas
90:Texas
1069:2012
1038:2011
976:2014
950:2011
915:2024
884:2012
858:2011
750:2011
635:2011
440:and
369:and
295:Ohio
273:and
161:.com
64:1986
60:1986
501:CAD
157:www
68:in
1166::
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66:)
24:.
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