Energy Consumers Edge is an independent educational project that provides information about home energy use, utility bills, appliance costs, and related topics. To help support the site, we may use affiliate links, advertising, sponsorships, or other commercial relationships.
This page explains what affiliate links are, how they may support our work, and the principles intended to guide our editorial content.
What Is an Affiliate Link?
An affiliate link is a link that can identify Energy Consumers Edge as the source of a referral to another business. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, sign up for a service, or complete another qualifying action, we may receive a commission or other compensation from that business.
Not every link on our site is an affiliate link. We may also link to government agencies, utility websites, research publications, product documentation, or other resources because they are relevant to the subject being discussed.
How Affiliate Links Affect Your Purchase
When you follow an affiliate link, any transaction takes place with the third-party business. That business determines its prices, availability, terms, warranties, and customer service policies.
Affiliate arrangements differ, and prices or offers can change. Please check the seller’s current terms and total price before making a purchase. You are free to visit a seller directly or consider other providers.
How We Identify Commercial Relationships
When an article or recommendation contains affiliate links, we intend to provide a clear disclosure close to the relevant content so readers can understand that we may earn compensation. Sponsored content, free products, or other material relationships should also be identified where relevant.
This general disclosure explains our approach; individual disclosures help readers recognize a relationship in the context of a particular recommendation.
Editorial Independence
Our goal is to help readers understand their options. We aim to consider relevant costs, features, limitations, and trade-offs when discussing a product or service. A potential commission should not determine our editorial conclusions.
We may discuss products or services whether or not an affiliate relationship exists. A mention or link does not automatically mean that we recommend a product or that a company has endorsed Energy Consumers Edge.
If we describe a product as personally tested or reviewed through direct experience, that description should reflect work actually performed. We do not intend to claim hands-on testing, measurements, or savings results that have not occurred.
Advertising and Sponsored Content
The site may also display advertisements or publish sponsored content. Advertising and sponsorship are separate from affiliate commissions, although a page may involve more than one type of commercial relationship. Where sponsorship or another material relationship applies, we intend to make that relationship clear.
Third-party advertisers and sellers are responsible for their own offers and policies. Please review their terms and determine whether an offer meets your needs.
Energy Information and Estimates
Our articles and any calculators are provided for general information and education. An affiliate relationship does not make a product suitable for every household or guarantee a particular reduction in energy use, bill, or payback period.
Before purchasing equipment or services, consider your actual usage, utility rates, installation requirements, and total costs. Consult an appropriately qualified professional or the relevant utility when necessary.
Questions
If you have questions about an affiliate link, an advertising relationship, or a possible error on the site, please use our Contact page. You can also read our Editorial Policy, Corrections Policy, and Disclaimer for more information about our approach.