Editorial Standards

Readers use our guides to spend money, climb onto roofs and work near electricity and water. That is a responsibility. These standards describe how we earn and keep your trust.

Accuracy

• Physics before opinion. Claims about cooling performance, water use and running cost are grounded in standard psychrometric and heat-transfer relationships. We show the formulas so you can check the math.
• Primary sources. We rely on manufacturer manuals and specifications, the ASHRAE Handbook, government agencies (U.S. Department of Energy, EPA, CDC, OSHA, National Weather Service and NOAA) and university extension publications. Each guide lists its main sources at the end.
• Numbers are verified. Every worked example and calculator is recalculated independently before publication. Where values vary between products, we give ranges and tell you where to find the exact figure for your unit.
• Prices are labeled. Cost figures are typical ranges at the time of the update shown on the page. Local labor rates, materials and supply conditions vary widely.

What we will not do

• We do not invent statistics, studies, quotes, testimonials or test results.
• We do not claim to have lab-tested products we have not tested.
• We do not accept payment or free products in exchange for coverage, ratings or placement.
• We do not give medical advice. Health-related pages summarize public-health guidance and encourage readers to consult a physician.

Safety guidance

Procedures include the safety steps that matter: disconnecting power at the disconnect or breaker, ladder and roof safety, and when to call a licensed professional. If our general guidance conflicts with your owner's manual or local code, follow the manual and the code.

Calculators and data

Calculators run entirely in your browser. Their defaults represent typical conditions and are clearly labeled as examples. Wet-bulb temperatures use the Stull (2011) approximation; evaporative performance uses the saturation efficiency equation; water use uses the energy balance of 1.08 BTU/h per CFM per °F and roughly 1,060 BTU per pound of water evaporated. The Climate Index page documents its inputs, rating rules and limitations.

Updates

Every guide shows its last-updated date. We review guides on a rolling schedule, before each cooling season for seasonal topics, and whenever readers, manufacturers or new guidance show something has changed. A date changes only when the content has been meaningfully reviewed or revised.

Corrections

When we get something wrong, we fix it promptly and, for substantive errors, note the correction publicly on our corrections page. Minor fixes such as typos or broken links are made without a note.

Advertising and independence

The site may carry advertising to fund its work. Advertisers have no influence over what we cover or what we say, ads are visually distinct from editorial content, and editorial decisions are made without regard to advertising relationships.

Contact

Questions about these standards? Email editor@swampcoolerguide.com or use the contact page.