Free nights + solar + Powerwalls has kept my electric bill $33
Figured I’d share this for anyone in Texas with solar/batteries who is shopping electricity plans.
I’m on Direct Energy’s Twelve Hour Power plan. My free period is 9 PM–9 AM, and my EFL specifically states that both the energy charge and TDU delivery charges are $0 during those 12 hours.
For some context, we’re a family of 5 in a ~3,200 sq. ft. home, and we are definitely not energy-conscious. Almost everything in the house is electric except the stove. We run the AC normally, charge EVs, run appliances, etc. I shift the loads I can into the free period.
I’ve had free nights for about a year and haven’t had an electric bill over $33. In one recent 32-day period, I used roughly 1,570 kWh just during the free hours.
Most of what I actually end up paying for is usage that falls outside the free window, particularly when our routine changes on weekends. During the week, I try to let the solar + Powerwalls handle as much of the paid period as possible.
Obviously, this won’t produce a $33 bill for everyone. The daytime rate is expensive, so you need to look at your own usage and read the EFL. But if you have solar/batteries or can shift a large percentage of your consumption into the free window, your bill can potentially be extremely cheap.
If anyone wants to check it out, Direct has a Refer-A-Friend program where we both receive a $50 bill credit. Full disclosure: I get $50 as well if you use my referral.
Referral code: LXO4MIG