Sources Policy

How we choose sources, handle conflicting information, and cite evidence for the claims made across this site.

Our sources policy matches source type to claim type. A current hardware-store price list is the right source for a parts-cost estimate; it is not the right source for a claim about how condensation physics works.

Preferred Sources

• Government science and engineering references (USGS, NOAA/National Weather Service, EPA, U.S. Department of Energy) for how condensation, humidity, and dew point work
• FEMA and CDC resources for emergency water storage and preparedness guidance
• Current retail/hardware pricing for cost estimates
• Builder-reported experience — clearly labeled as anecdotal, not scientific data

What We Avoid

• Presenting builder anecdotes as guaranteed, universal outcomes
• Turning a single favorable data point into a blanket performance promise
• Using outdated legal or regulatory information for rainwater/water-collection guidance without a currentness check
• Fabricated scarcity, invented statistics, or unverifiable "test" results

Conflicting Sources

When information conflicts — for example, differing builder-reported output figures — we favor the explanation grounded in the underlying physics (humidity, temperature, airflow) over any single anecdotal report, and we say so explicitly rather than averaging conflicting numbers into a false precision.

Citation Proximity

Where a section makes a specific technical or preparedness claim, the supporting source is linked in a references box near that section — not buried in a single footer link — so readers can check it without hunting for it.

Sources & References

Related Research

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Editorial owner: Smart Water Box Editorial Team · Last reviewed: July 2026