Last updated: October 4, 2026
This policy explains what Watts & Wire (“we”, “us”) collects when you use this website and its tools, and how we use it. We do not sell personal information and we do not use it for targeted advertising.
What we collect
- Newsletter. If you subscribe, we keep your email address to send you new articles. Every email includes an unsubscribe link.
- Contributor accounts. If you apply to write for us, we keep the details you submit (name, username, email, bio, website) to review your application and manage your account.
- Texas Bill Analyzer. If you upload a bill, the file is sent over an encrypted connection to our analysis service and an AI processing provider only to read your usage and charges; we do not keep the file. Comparisons are calculated in your browser.
- Comparison and referral records. When a comparison finishes, we keep an anonymous summary of it: utility area, the first three digits of your ZIP code, your usage and charges, your current provider and plan, and the results we showed. We also record which provider or plan links you open. We use this to improve the tool, understand demand, and support referral arrangements with providers. It is not linked to your name, address, account or ESI ID, IP address, or the bill file, and we do not try to identify you from it. If your browser sends a Global Privacy Control signal, we keep only the results and links opened, not your bill details.
- Security and abuse prevention. To keep our tools available and block automated misuse, we and a security provider process technical data such as your IP address and browser signals. IP-based usage limits are kept only for a few hours.
- Technical logs. Our hosting provider records standard request data (such as IP address, time and pages requested) to operate and secure the site.
Cookies
We use Google Analytics to understand how the site is used. It sets analytics cookies and shares usage data (such as pages viewed, approximate location, and device) with Google as our analytics provider; Google Analytics anonymizes IP addresses, and we do not enable advertising or cross-site profiling. Logged-in contributors also receive the cookies needed to stay signed in.
Who we share it with
Only service providers that help us run the site — hosting, email delivery, AI document processing and security — under terms that limit their use of the data to providing that service. We may also disclose information if required by law.
How long we keep it
Newsletter emails until you unsubscribe; contributor details while your account is active; uploaded bills not at all after processing; anonymous comparison and referral records for up to 24 months; abuse-prevention data for a few hours; server logs for a limited period set by our host.
Your choices
You can unsubscribe at any time, and you can ask us to access, correct or delete your personal information by emailing hello@wattsandwire.com. We will respond as required by applicable law and will not discriminate against you for making a request.
Children
This site is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect their information.
Changes
We will post any changes here and update the date above.