Editorial policy

KnowTheFix exists to help homeowners understand what a repair or replacement should cost and what they can safely fix themselves. These are the rules we follow for everything we publish.

Where our information comes from

• Error codes and repair steps come from manufacturer installation, service and owner’s manuals. We link the exact document on every code page. If a manual doesn’t give a homeowner step, we say “call a pro” rather than invent one.
• Prices are checked against contractors’ published flat-rate prices and national cost guides, and set within the typical range homeowners pay. See how we set prices.
• Sizing and efficiency data comes from the U.S. Department of Energy, ENERGY STAR and EPA WaterSense, plus manufacturer spec sheets.
• Local rules (permits, licensing, rebates) come from city, state and utility sources, and we link them so you can confirm.

Accuracy and updates

• Every guide shows the date it was last updated.
• When sources disagree, we follow the manufacturer or the official source, and we note the disagreement.
• We review prices and rebates regularly, because they change.

Safety

Gas, electrical and pressurized-water work can be dangerous. Our DIY guides mark the points where you should stop and call a licensed professional. They’re general information, so always follow your equipment’s manual and local codes.

Independence and advertising

• Our content isn’t written or paid for by manufacturers or contractors, and no one pays to change a price or a recommendation.
• Some pages show ads from Google, which help keep the guides free. Ads are clearly labeled and kept separate from our content.

Corrections

Found a mistake, or a code that doesn’t match your unit’s manual? Email hello@knowthefix.com with the page and what’s wrong. We review every report and correct errors promptly.