20 pieces published
Maya Reddy
Senior Energy Researcher, Seenra Inc
Senior Energy Researcher at Seenra Inc. Maya leads the data + research desk — modelling rate trajectories, building the load-profile library, and writing the deep-dive guides that anchor Seenra's editorial program. Background in applied energy economics with a master's from UT Austin and four years at ERCOT before joining Seenra. Based in Austin, Texas.
- Energy economics
- Rate-trajectory modelling
- Load-profile analysis
- ERCOT + Texas markets
- Renewables certification
Guides written by Maya
How to read your electric meter — analog, digital, smart
Step-by-step guide to reading every type of US residential electric meter. Five-dial analog reading order, digital LCD display interpretation, smart-meter portal data — and the kWh math behind your monthly bill.
reading the-bill · 8 minHow to read your natural gas meter — therms, CCF, MCF
Read the four alternating dials on a residential gas meter, convert CCF to therms, and verify your bill against the meter. The 90-second self-check every gas customer should know.
disputes and-rights · 9 minHow to dispute charges on your electric bill — formal walkthrough
The 5-step escalation path every US energy customer should know — document, call, re-read, re-bill, escalate to PUC. Templates, response-window rules, and the dispute IDs that lock in your protection.
state by-state · 9 minHow to use Power-to-Choose to find a Texas REP
Power-to-Choose is the Texas PUC portal listing every REP (retail electric provider) inside ERCOT. The filter strategy that finds the right fixed-rate plan among 80+ options.
switching · 7 minHow to cancel your energy supplier contract cleanly
The 4-step cancellation workflow — written notice, EDI 814 reverse handshake, return to default or new supplier, ETF reconciliation. Plus the timing window that avoids variable-default exposure.
smart meters-and-ev · 7 minHow to shift electricity use to off-peak hours
Practical playbook for moving 30–50% of household electricity to overnight or super-off-peak windows. The 5 high-leverage appliances and the smart-plug automation that makes it set-and-forget.
saving money · 6 minLowering your water heater to 120°F — the savings math
The factory default is 140°F; the DOE recommends 120°F. The savings ladder, the scald-risk caveats, and the tank-blanket / pipe-insulation companion moves.
disputes and-rights · 8 minLIHEAP — eligibility, benefits, how to apply in 2026
The federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program covers $200–$1,000/yr toward heating bills. Income thresholds, application workflow, and the state-specific top-ups stacked on top.
commercial · 13 minThe complete commercial energy bill glossary
Every line item on a US commercial energy bill, plain English. Energy charge, demand charge, capacity reservation, PJM riders, ancillary services, ratchet clauses — decoded.
state by-state · 9 minSwitching electricity in New York — Con Edison, National Grid, ESCOs
New York deregulated retail electricity in 1998. Con Edison, National Grid, NYSEG, RG&E, Central Hudson, Orange & Rockland own the wires; ESCOs (Energy Service Companies) compete on supply. NY DPS regulates ESCO licensing and disclosures.
state by-state · 8 minSwitching electricity in Connecticut — Eversource, UI, suppliers
Connecticut deregulated electricity in 1998. Eversource (most of state) and United Illuminating (New Haven + Bridgeport metro) own the wires; competitive suppliers compete on supply. CT PURA regulates supplier conduct and tightened rules in 2014.
appliances and-equipment · 7 minHow much does your refrigerator cost — old vs new ENERGY STAR
A 1996 fridge uses 1,400 kWh/year vs 350 kWh for a modern ENERGY STAR — a 75% reduction. The replacement payback math, the gasket + coil maintenance ROI, and which fridges deserve a retirement.
appliances and-equipment · 8 minAir conditioner sizing — SEER, BTUs, and your bill
An undersized AC runs constantly and never catches up. An oversized AC short-cycles and wastes energy. The Manual J load calculation that finds the right size, plus the SEER ratings that matter.
renewables · 9 minSolar financing — loan vs lease vs PPA vs cash
Cash maximizes savings but requires capital. Loan keeps the panels in your name with monthly payments. Lease/PPA puts panels on your roof at $0 down but you do not own them. The 25-year cash-flow comparison.
heating and-cooling · 9 minCold-climate heat pumps — do they actually work below 0°F?
Modern cold-climate heat pumps (Mitsubishi Hyper-Heat, Daikin Aurora, Bosch IDS Premium) work down to -13°F to -15°F. The COP curve, the brand comparison, and when backup heat still matters.
commercial · 10 minClass-A office energy procurement — RFP playbook
Class-A office buildings spend $1.50-$2.50/sqft/yr on energy. The RFP scoping, bundle vs separate, and the peak-shaving + capacity-tag tactics that move the bill 15-25%.
seasonal · 9 minSummer cooling — the 15-step electric-bill defence checklist
Heat-wave bills run 40-80% above shoulder-season bills on average. The 15-step playbook — thermostat, ceiling fans, blinds, time-of-use shifting — that delivers 20-35% savings.
energy literacy · 6 minWhat is a kilowatt-hour? Explained in plain English
A kWh is the energy used by a 1,000-watt appliance running for 1 hour. The unit explained, the everyday-appliance comparison, and how kWh translates to dollars on your bill.
energy literacy · 5 minHow to verify a supplier license before signing
Every state PUC publishes a public license registry. Verifying the supplier license takes 60 seconds and protects against unlicensed scammers. The state-by-state registry links + the verification workflow.
reading the-bill · 7 minRiders + surcharges on your bill — every state-mandated line
Renewable portfolio standard rider, low-income assistance rider, energy efficiency surcharge, gross-receipts tax — the small lines that add up to 5-10% of your bill. Decoded.