Editorial policy: how we research, cite, review and correct

Our standard

Each page should be the most useful, accurate answer to one homeowner question. That means the direct answer first, the evidence for it, the steps that are safe to take, and a clear line where a licensed professional should take over.

How we research

Primary sources first. In order of preference:

1. Manufacturers: owner's manuals, service and troubleshooting documents, warranty terms and serial number guides from the companies that make the equipment.
2. Government and standards bodies: the U.S. Department of Energy, the IRS, ENERGY STAR, the EPA, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the Federal Register.
3. Codes and law: model codes such as the International Residential Code, state statutes and regulations, and state licensing boards.
4. Local authorities and utilities: city and county permit offices, water utilities' hardness reports, and utility rebate pages.

Secondary sources (cost guides, trade publications, inspector references) are used only when no primary source exists, and we name them.

Confidence. When sources conflict or only secondary sources exist, we either say so on the page, mark it (for example, "verify with the manufacturer" on our age decoder), or leave the claim out. We do not publish a number, statute, code section, quote or link we have not been able to source.

How we cite

• Every number, standard, law, price or factual claim carries a numbered citation in square brackets that maps to the source list at the end of the page.
• Each source shows its publisher, title and the date we accessed it.
• Where a page says something common advice gets wrong, it cites the primary source that shows why.

How we handle costs

Cost figures are ranges with a named source and a date, never a quote or a promise. Cost guides measure different things (some report homeowner estimates; some model a full code-compliant install), so where they disagree we show both and explain why. Prices in your area can be higher or lower.

How we handle error codes and manuals

Error code tables are paraphrased in our own words from the maker's service documents, and each table links to that document. We do not copy manual text. Your unit's own manual is the final reference for your model.

Safety rules we write by

• Any page about gas starts with what to do if you smell gas: leave, do not create a spark, call the utility or 911 from outside.
• We do not give do-it-yourself steps for gas valves, gas lines, venting, electrical wiring, relief valve replacement, or work that needs a permit. Those pages name the right licensed professional instead.
• Pages involving gas, electricity or flooding show a safety box first.

Expert review

Our goal is for every page to be reviewed by a named, credentialed expert, such as a licensed master plumber. Until that review happens, the page shows "Expert review pending." When a reviewer signs off, we will show the reviewer's name, credential and review date on the page. We will not show a reviewer who has not actually reviewed the page.

Independence from referrals

Strive LeadGen LLC may be paid when it connects a homeowner with a contractor. Those payments do not change page content. We do not accept payment to change a page's facts, recommendations or rankings. If a page tells you a repair is cheap or that you do not need a pro, that is what the evidence says. See How we match.

Updates

Each page shows a "last reviewed" date. We recheck pages on a regular schedule and sooner when a law, rebate, standard or price source changes.

Corrections

If we get something wrong, we want to know. We review every report, fix verified errors within 5 business days, and record what changed and when. Details are on our corrections page.