Editorial policy

Our standards

1. Answer first. Every guide opens with a direct answer to the question it targets. Background comes after.
2. Primary sources. Numbers, limits and safety rules come from manufacturers’ manuals and installation instructions, government agencies (Department of Energy, ENERGY STAR, EPA, Consumer Product Safety Commission, U.S. Fire Administration), standards bodies, and recognized trade organizations. Each guide lists its sources.
3. Safety over completeness. We do not publish step-by-step instructions for work that requires a license or carries serious risk, such as gas connections, refrigerant handling or work inside electrical panels. We explain what is happening and what to tell the professional instead.
4. Plain language. We write for people who are not technicians, define jargon when we use it, and give U.S. units with metric equivalents where they matter.
5. No filler. We publish a guide when we can add something useful: a clearer explanation, a diagram, a table, a troubleshooting sequence or a calculator.

How a guide is made

1. Research the question.

   We look at what people actually ask, what existing answers get wrong or leave out, and what the primary sources say.

2. Draft and illustrate.

   The draft is structured around the reader’s situation: what they notice, the likely causes, and what to do. Diagrams and tables are drawn for the guide.

3. Check every claim.

   Figures, thresholds and instructions are verified against the cited sources before publication. Claims we cannot verify are removed.

4. Review for safety.

   Each step is labeled as a safe check or a job for a professional, with the reason.

5. Publish and maintain.

   Each guide shows when it was last reviewed. We revisit guides when sources change, when readers report problems, and on a regular schedule.

How we use software and AI tools

We use software, including AI writing and research assistants, to help gather sources, organize research and prepare drafts. Nothing is published on the strength of a tool’s output alone: every guide is edited, every figure is checked against a cited source, and calculators are tested against published reference values before they go live.

How our calculators work

Each calculator explains its method on the page and links to the standard or data it uses, such as the ENERGY STAR room air conditioner sizing chart or the EIA’s average electricity prices. Results are estimates for planning and do not replace an on-site assessment.

Corrections

If you find an error, email hello@householdatlas.com with the page address and what you believe is wrong. We check the claim against the source and correct the page promptly. Significant corrections are noted at the end of the guide.

Advertising and independence

Household Atlas is supported by display advertising served by third parties such as Google AdSense. Advertisers do not choose, review or influence our content. Ads are labeled “Advertisement” and are never placed inside calculators or step-by-step instructions. We do not accept payment for coverage. If we add affiliate links in the future, they will be clearly disclosed where they appear and will not change our recommendations.