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You have questions. Direct Energy is here to help. Our Learning Center provides expert knowledge on a wide range of home-related topics to help you be an informed consumer and take care of everyone under your roof.
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Home Energy Savings
Top 25 Quick & Easy Energy Saving Tips
Energy efficiency means you are using less energy to do the same jobs, reducing your home's energy waste and saving money.
How to Shop for an Energy-Efficient Water Heater
If you're in the market for a new water heater, an energy-efficient model can help reduce your heating bills.
What Uses the Most Electricity in My Home?
We explore the energy consumed by typical home systems, appliances and electronics.
3 Ways to Improve Energy Efficiency at Home
Lowering your energy bill can be accomplished easily by improving the energy efficiency of your home.
Eight Ways to Reduce Energy Use Outdoors
Don't overlook the outside of your home when it comes to lowering your energy bill.
Switch to LED Light Bulbs, Save Big on Energy
When it comes to saving energy through household upgrades, homeowners often overlook little things like light bulbs.
Seasonal Energy Savings
What Is the Difference Between Heat and Temperature?
Heat and temperature are inextricably linked concepts, but they aren't the same. Let's examine the differences.
Fall Energy Saving Tips
Autumn brings with it a whole new set of household chores, from winterizing your outdoor plumbing to raking leaves.
Energy Savings Tips for Spring
While you gear up for spring cleaning this year, don't miss the opportunity to increase your home's energy efficiency while you're at it.
Energy Efficiency Tips for Summer Savings
Summer weather can heat up your electric bill. Get tips for how to save energy and money.
Energy Efficiency For the Winter
Read our 22 cool tips to keep you warm when it's cold outside and save you money on your energy bills!
Recommended Thermostat Settings in the Summer
Save money and stay cool by following these recommended summer settings.
Recommended Thermostat Settings in the Winter
Use these tips to stay warm and comfortable while saving on your heating bills in the winter.
Winter Preparation Checklist for Safety and Efficiency
Getting your home ready for winter is crucial to controlling home heating costs and preventing potential hazards.
Energy in Your Home
How to Read Plan Documents
One resource that can make the energy shopping process easier and more straightforward is plan documents.
Why Should I Switch Away from My Utility?
Discover just how easy to switch to a new competitive supplier with a better energy rate.
What Happens to My Bill When I Switch Away from My Utility?
Learn what happens to your energy bill when you switch away from your utility.
How Do I Shop for Electricity?
When it comes to finding a power supplier for your home, shopping around is often the best way to find the lowest price and the best value.
How Do I Shop for Natural Gas?
Thanks to deregulation, it's easy to compare your provider options and start saving on your gas bill.
Understanding Your Energy Bill
Estimating your monthly cost for energy will help you decide on a plan and better budget for your utility bills.
What is a Fixed-Rate Energy Plan?
Find out why locking in a rate for electricity or natural gas for a set period of time could work for you.
What is a Variable-Rate Energy Plan?
Learn how a variable-rate plan gives you energy with plenty of flexibility.
How to Calculate Your Electric Bill
To calculate your electric bill, you’ll need to do a little math.
How to Calculate Your Natural Gas Bill
Virtually all electric companies bill their customers the same way, but natural gas companies are more varied in their approach.
What is the Average Electric Bill?
The answer depends on far more than just the rate per kilowatt hour (kWh) charged by your electricity provider.
What is the Average Gas Bill?
It all comes down to how your home is powered, how energy-efficient it is and what your energy habits are
How to Read Your Smart Meter
Smart meters provide an easy way to track your energy usage, save money and get great plan offers.
How to Read Your Meter
Reading an analog electric meter doesn't have to be a complicated process. Check out our helpful guide to get started.
How Much Energy Does A Hot Tub Use?
If soaking in a hot tub is your idea of relaxation, it's important to be aware of how much energy a hot tub uses.
How Much Electricity Does My Refrigerator Use?
Learn how much electricity a fridge uses--and when it's time for a replacement.
How Much Electricity Does My Dishwasher Use?
Get an eye-opening exploration of the question of how much electricity a dishwasher uses.
How Much Energy Does My Dryer Use?
Clothes dryers are all about saving time. But how much does that convenience cost you?
How Much Energy Does an Electric Oven and Stove Use?
Find out how much energy your oven and stovetop use and get tips on saving energy when cooking.
How Much Energy Does a Fireplace Use?
Learn how to make your room cozy by using your fireplace efficiently.
How Much Energy Does My Humidifier Use?
Humidifiers are great tools for making your home more comfortable. How much does this comfort cost you on your energy bill?
How Much Energy Does My Washing Machine Use?
Depending on the type of washing machine and how it's used, the energy consumption may be significant.
How Much Energy Does my Water Heater Use?
Find out how much electricity or gas your hot water heater uses and how to keep costs down.
How to Calculate an Appliance's Energy Usage
Learn how to calculate your home's energy consumption to make better choices about your energy use.
Energy in
What is the Difference Between a Utility and an Electricity Provider?
In states with deregulated energy, there's an important difference between utilities and suppliers or providers.
How Does The Power Grid Work?
Learn how the power grid works within the energy market to help deliver power to your home.
History of the U.S. Natural Gas Industry
Learn about how the natural gas industry got started, how it evolved to its present form and where it might take us.
We Can Learn From the History of Deregulation: US Telecommunications
What can the history of telecom communications tell us about the movement to deregulate electricity?
Prepaid Energy
How Does Prepaid Electricity Work?
Prepaid electricity is an easy way to be a Texas electricity customer.
Is a Prepaid Electricity Plan a Good Fit for You?
Find out the pros and cons of prepaid electricity to see if it is the right plan for you and your family.
Prepaid vs Contract Electricity
Learn the differences between prepaid vs. contract or postpaid electricity plans.
Can Prepaid Electricity Help Your Credit Score?
Our prepaid plans help put you in control of your monthly electricity bills.
How Does Prepaid Electricity Work with Home Meters?
Learn how smart meters work with a prepaid electricity plan.
Do Prepaid Electricity Plans Reduce Energy Usage?
If you're trying to save money on your utility bills, a prepaid electricity plan may help reduce your energy usage.
Whole-Home Maintenance
5 Home Maintenance Projects to Prepare for Spring
The thaw of spring ushers in a whole new set of energy saving habits.
Why Should I Use a Dehumidifier?
Learn why you may want to use a dehumidifier in your home and how to shop for the right one.
Give Your Home the DIY Energy Audit It Deserves
Conduct a DIY home energy audit to identify ways to make your home more energy-efficient.
Energy Savings Tips for Your Basement
When making energy efficiency upgrades, the basement is often an afterthought.
Fall Maintenance Tips Inside and Outside Your Home
The onset of autumn means more than a respite from summer heat and changing colors on the leaves.
Gas vs. Electric Appliances: Compare Cost and Efficiency
Learn some of the basic differences between electric and gas appliances.
Gas Vs. Electric Dryers: Which is Right for You?
We examine the gas vs. electric dryer's pros and cons in detail.
How Do Electric Blankets Work?
Learn how electric blankets work, their energy costs and potential safety concerns.
How to Choose the Best Generator for Your Home
But before you buy a generator, map out your needs, budget and other concerns.
How to Install a Ceiling Fan: A Step-By-Step Guide
Ceiling fans are a great way to keep cool in the summer and circulate warm air in the winter.
What Are the Benefits of a Humidifier?
Read on to discover the benefits of using a humidifier in the winter.
Inexpensive Energy-Efficient Projects to Help Defeat the Summer Heat
Home efficiency upgrades can be a rewarding pursuit in every sense of the word.
How to Insulate a Basement
Basements help your home store heat by acting as a thermal mass.
A Guide to Mold Prevention and Cleanup
We've created a mold prevention and cleanup guide to help you get rid of mold and keep it out.
Benefits of a Tankless Water Heater
Tankless water heaters use the latest in gas technology to provide an endless supply of hot water.
What Size Water Heater Do I Need for my Home?
Let's take a deeper look at what to consider when choosing the right water heater for your home.
Why is My House So Dusty?
A dusty home could be a sign your HVAC system is not trapping dust properly.
Why You Need a Home Inspector
Learn what an inspection is, the benefits of a home inspection, and how to find an inspector in your area
HVAC Maintenance & Tips
7 Spring/Summer Maintenance Tips for Your HVAC System
Your air conditioning system is a silent partner whose company you greatly enjoy on those hot days.
The Importance of Air Conditioner Installation
Investing in a new energy-efficient air conditioning system can be a complex process.
How Do I Take Care of My Air Conditioner in the Summer?
Your central air conditioner is the modern luxury that cools your family and your home when you need it most.
Key Furnace Maintenance Tips for Winter
During winter, the furnace is one of the most important components in your home.
What to Look for When Buying a New HVAC System
Americans rely on our HVAC products to maintain our homes in a livable condition year-round.
Air Conditioners and Furnaces: How Do They Work Together?
Your heating and cooling systems have many components that work together to provide optimal home comfort.
How Does My Home Heating Work?
We've put together this basic guide to the different types of home heating systems and how they work.
How Does a Furnace Work?
The furnace is one of the most important appliances in the home, yet many people have no idea how it works.
How to Maintain the Humidity of Your Home
We'll look at what you can do if the humidity level in your home is too low or too high.
How to Choose an Air Conditioner
There's much more to buying an air conditioner than simply choosing between central air and window units.
How to Fix Common AC Problems
Trouble with your AC unit doesn't always have to mean an expensive repair bill.
How to Prepare Your Furnace for Fall
One of the costliest home maintenance mistakes a homeowner can make is to neglect the furnace.
How to Stop a Wall AC Water Leak
When you start to see water running where it shouldn't, learn how to stop an AC leak to prevent further damage.
A/C: How it Works
It's important to understand how air conditioners work when making educated decisions during the purchase process.
Proper Fan Settings Put You in Control of Indoor Air Quality
Your HVAC fan setting can have big implications for your indoor air quality, comfort and energy efficiency.
Key HVAC Maintenance Tips for Fall and Winter
During those cold winter nights, your HVAC system becomes the most valuable equipment in your home.
Preventing Damage to Your Heat Exchanger
One of the most important parts of HVAC maintenance is ensuring that the heat exchanger is in good condition.
How to Shop for an Energy-Efficient Furnace
For homeowners looking to increase their homes' energy efficiency, the furnace is a natural place to start.
Signs Your Air Ducts Need Cleaning
Learn the indicators that your home's duct work might be due for a thorough cleaning.
Furnace Not Working? Try These Troubleshooting Tips
Read these troubleshooting tips for your furnace to prevent discomfort and a host of other problems in your home.
What Size Air Conditioner Do I Need for my Home?
Choosing the type and kind of central air conditioning system to install in your home is complicated.
What Size Furnace Do I Need for My Home?
You might be surprised to know that merely sizing a furnace requires some special knowledge.
What to Do When Your House is Hot Upstairs and Cold Downstairs
Is your second floor warmer than the first? You're in good company with homeowners and renters across the country.
Save Money by Air Sealing Your House
If you are looking to cut down on your energy bills, air sealing your house is an excellent place to start.
Inexpensive Tips to Improve the Energy Efficiency of Your HVAC
Use these simple tips to improve your home's heating and cooling efficiency without breaking the bank.
Plumbing
Plumbing Tips to Prepare Your Pipes for Spring and Summer
As you check off your list of spring maintenance tasks around the house and yard, don't neglect your plumbing.
Plumbing Hints and Tips That Save
When it comes to plumbing, there are certain preventive measures that can help you avoid unnecessary water (and money) loss.
What are Tap Water Impurities and How to Fix Them
Learn how impurities can find their way into your water and how to get rid of them.
How Do You Unclog a Drain?
Learn how to troubleshoot clogged drains and prevent them from clogging again.
Your Guide to Troubleshooting a Leaky Faucet
The drip, drip, drip of a leaky faucet is more than an irritation that keeps you awake at night.
Why is My Sink Gurgling?
Read our guide on what causes your sink to gurgle and how to fix it.
Why is My Toilet Draining Slowly?
Learn how toilets flush, why yours might be draining slowly and how to fix it.
Winter Plumbing Tips
Use these preventative measures to help maintain a healthy water system in winter.
Smart Home
How to Make Your Home a Smart Home
Utilizing smart devices in your home is one of the most significant new trends in digital innovation.
Building a Smart Home
As technology improves, it is only natural that people want to integrate it into their daily lives.
Take Control of Your HVAC System with Your Smartphone
Smart technology is providing new opportunities to save energy with your HVAC system.
What is the Internet of Things (and Should I Care)?
Let's take a more in-depth look at the IoT, what it is, and why it should matter to you.
Green Energy
Differences Between Wind Power and Solar Energy
Renewable sources of electricity such as wind and solar are swiftly expanding across the nation.
What are Renewable Energy Certificates?
One of the most important things that humans can do to protect the planet is to generate renewable energy.
What Are Solar Incentives and How Do They Work?
Governments and private citizens across the world are taking renewable energy more seriously.
What Is Green/Renewable Energy?
In order to be an effective consumer of green energy, it's good to know where green energy comes from.
Green Living
4 Easy Ways to Encourage Recycling at Home
When you look around, it's easy to see the increased prominence of recycling in our society.
Green Living Tips You Can Apply at Home
These tips can help you make your home more eco-friendly so you can start living green today.
Could Your Next Vacation be an Ecotourism Adventure?
Learn these ecotourism tips to make your next trip more eco-friendly.
Help Your Children to Think Green
The decisions you and your family make every day reflect your values to reduce waste and think green.
How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint in Everyday Life
If you try to live a green lifestyle, you know the phrase "carbon footprint" very well.
How to Save Water in Your Home
A convenient supply of clean, fresh water is an essential element of modern living.
Energy Saving Ideas in the Workplace
Going to work can be about more than just pulling in a paycheck.
Green Home
Green Living Tips for Your Yard
If you want to grow a green lawn in every sense of the word, try implementing some of our tips.
How to Go Green When You Clean
You don't have to sacrifice going green for a clean house.
What is LEED Certification?
Learn more about LEED certification and what it could mean for your home or business.
Residential Solar and Wind Systems: What are the Energy Costs?
Learn more about energy costs for residential solar and wind systems.
Tips for Remodeling Your Home with a Green Emphasis
Discover six projects around your home that can support an eco-friendly remodel.
Storm Preparedness
What's the Difference Between a Flash Flood Watch and Warning?
Tornadoes, lightning, hurricanes — all forms of severe weather can be deadly if proper safety precautions aren't taken.
What to do During a Hurricane
If you're staying home, here's what you should do to ensure the safety of your family before the storm.
Emergency Supplies & Go Bag Checklists for a Storm
When a major storm arrives in your town, you need to be prepared for serious disruptions to your normal day-to-day activities.
How to Treat Flooded Areas in Your Home
It's important to know what to do after a flood to salvage your property while keeping your family safe.
Create a Hurricane Evacuation Plan for Your Family
Hurricanes and evacuations can happen with little notice, so make your plan ahead of time.
Food and Water Safety Post-Hurricane or Natural Disaster
Make sure your food and water is protected after a hurricane with these tips.
Hurricane Food and Supply List
During hurricane season, include a list of items that you can keep stocked in your home.
How Can I Prepare My Home for a Flood?
It's crucial to formulate a plan now to protect your family and pets in case bad weather strikes.
What Can I Do to Prepare My Home for a Hailstorm?
Help prevent property damage that hailstorms can cause for your home.
How to Protect Your Home Against Flooding
Use these flood control fixes to help prevent flood damage to your home:
Preparing For a Hurricane: Before, During, and After the Storm
Prepare for hurricane season in advance and know what to expect when one hits.
How Can I Prevent Wind Damage from a Storm to My Home?
Prepare your home and property for the potential hazards of high winds.
Snow Storm Essentials Checklist
Stock up early on these essentials before winter storms arrive.
What's the Difference Between a Snowstorm and a Blizzard?
Learn the difference between a blizzard, snowstorm and other winter weather events.
What to Do During High Winds
Understand the causes of windstorms and how to mitigate any damage
What Should I Do When a Tornado Approaches My Area?
In the event of a tornado, follow these common practices.
Seasonal Readiness
How to Keep Your Home Warm in the Winter
By preparing your home for cold weather, you can stay warm and save energy!
What's the Best A/C Temperature in Summer to Protect My Pets?
Help Fido and Fluffy by setting the perfect A/C temperature to protect them during the dog days of summer.
What's the Best Heater Temperature in Winter to Protect My Pets?
Take care of your furry friends and your heating bill this winter with our helpful tips.
Frostbite and Hypothermia: How to Prevent and Treat Them
Learn about preventing and treating frostbite and hypothermia.
Safety Tips for a Winter Weather Emergency: How to Prepare
Let us help your family create an emergency preparedness plan for any possible winter weather emergency.
Save Water, Save Money and Survive the Drought
Read more about conserving water in drought conditions.
Winter Safety Tips: Home Maintenance to Prepare for Snow & Ice
Get your home ready for winter weather while staying safe with our helpful maintenance guide.
Prepare Your Home Exterior and Yard for Winter Weather
It's important to finish your final winterizing projects before the cold weather of winter arrives.
Natural Disaster Guides
Flood Information
Read our guide on floods to learn flood types, effects and tips to stay safe.
Heat Wave Information
A heat wave is an extremely dangerous weather condition where temperatures soar well above 90° F.
Hurricane Information
Hurricanes are tropical cyclones that form in the western hemisphere and the Atlantic Ocean.
Thunderstorm Information
Read our guide to learn the causes, effects and hazards of thunderstorms.
Tornado Information
A tornado is a strong rotating column of air, usually formed from a thunderstorm that makes contact with the ground.
Wildfire Information
A wildfire is an unexpected and uncontrollable fire that burns in an area with dry vegetation.
Electric & Gas Safety
What is a Power Surge and How Do I Protect My Home?
Surge protection is an investment in your electronics and appliances, as well as your safety.
Natural Gas Safety Tips
When things do go wrong with a natural gas system or appliance, the results can be extremely dangerous.
Improve Your Electrical Safety at Home
Get tips on how to enjoy the benefits of electricity while keeping your home safe.
What to Do When the Power Goes Out
Make sure your household is prepared for a power outage with these tips.
How to Upgrade Your Home Electrical Outlets
Learn when your outlets may need replacing and what upgrades you could make.
What Does a "Red Tag" on a Gas Appliance Mean?
Learn what it means for an appliance to have a red tag and how that affects your safety.
Home & Family Safety
16 Must-Read Fireplace Safety Tips
We've put together a list of fireplace care and safety tips to keep your home warm and safe .
The Difference Between Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
To the average person, heat exhaustion and heat stroke sound pretty similar.
The Seven Fundamentals of Home Security
There are seven fundamental steps you can take to increase your overall home security.
Fun with Fido: Tips for a Safe Summer with Your Favorite Pet
Stay alert about your pets' potential health hazards in the summer.
Improve Your Home Security by Upgrading Your Security Lighting
Help improve your peace of mind on a budget with updated home security lighting.
Spring Cleaning Checklist for Home Safety
Avoid spring cleaning safety hazards with these safety reminders
Summer Fun Safety Checklist
Between family vacations and outdoor adventures, make sure your family stays safe.
