Affiliate Disclosure

Last Updated: February 5, 2026

1. Overview of Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a common practice on the internet where website owners earn a commission when visitors click on product links and make purchases. This commission comes from the retailer or manufacturer, not the customer — the price you pay is the same whether you use an affiliate link or go directly to the retailer's website.

Many energy, appliance, and home improvement websites participate in affiliate programs through networks like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, or direct relationships with manufacturers. While we believe affiliate marketing can be ethical when done transparently, we want to be upfront about our current and future plans.

2. Current Revenue Sources

3. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Compliance

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires websites to disclose any material connections between the site and products or services mentioned. This includes affiliate relationships, sponsored content, or any financial compensation that could influence recommendations.

HowManyWatts.org fully complies with FTC guidelines:

• We clearly disclose all revenue sources on this page
• If we introduce affiliate links, they will be clearly marked in the content
• We will never hide or obscure affiliate relationships
• Our editorial integrity is never compromised by financial relationships

For more information on FTC disclosure requirements, visit the FTC's Endorsement Guides.

4. Current Active Affiliate Relationships

HowManyWatts.org actively participates in several affiliate programs to help support our operations and continue providing free, high-quality content. Here's exactly how we handle affiliate relationships:

4.1 Amazon Associates Program

We are active participants in the Amazon Associates Program and earn commissions (typically 1-4%) when you purchase products through Amazon links on our site. Here's how we handle Amazon affiliate links:

• All Amazon affiliate links are clearly marked with an asterisk (*) and explicit disclosure language
• The price you pay on Amazon is identical whether you use our link or not — you never pay extra
• Our product recommendations are based solely on data, testing, and Energy Star ratings, not commission rates
• We recommend both Amazon and non-Amazon sources when appropriate

4.2 Manufacturer and Retailer Programs

We have established affiliate relationships with appliance manufacturers (including GE, Whirlpool, Samsung, LG, and others) and major retailers (Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy, Walmart, and specialized energy equipment stores). Here's how we handle these partnerships:

• All affiliate links are clearly disclosed with (*) or inline disclosure text
• We never recommend products solely based on commission potential
• Our wattage data, cost calculations, and efficiency analysis remain completely independent
• We compare products across multiple retailers to ensure you get accurate information
• Commission rates do not influence our comparison tables or rankings

4.3 Energy Monitoring Device Affiliates

We partner with companies that sell power meters, energy monitors, and smart home devices (including Kill-A-Watt, Sense, Emporia, and others). These tools help homeowners measure their actual energy consumption, which directly aligns with our mission. Here's how we handle these affiliate relationships:

• We only recommend devices we've personally tested and verified for accuracy
• All recommendations are based on accuracy, ease of use, and value — not commission rates
• Affiliate links are clearly disclosed with (*) or explicit language
• We compare multiple brands and models to help you choose the best option for your needs

4.4 ClickBank and Digital Product Affiliates

We participate in ClickBank and other digital product affiliate networks to promote energy efficiency guides, solar calculation tools, DIY energy audit software, and home energy management courses. Here's our approach:

• ClickBank Products: We may promote energy-related digital products, eBooks, courses, and software tools available through ClickBank's marketplace
• Vetting Process: We only promote digital products we've personally reviewed or that come from reputable energy efficiency experts
• Clear Disclosure: All ClickBank affiliate links are marked as affiliate offers with clear disclosure language
• Refund Policy Transparency: We inform you about the refund policies of digital products before you purchase
• No Misleading Claims: We never use exaggerated claims like "slash your energy bill by 90%!" to drive sales

4.5 Other Affiliate Networks

Beyond Amazon and ClickBank, we work with several other affiliate networks and programs:

• ShareASale: Affiliate partnerships with home improvement brands, generator manufacturers, and solar equipment suppliers
• CJ Affiliate (Commission Junction): Relationships with major appliance brands and energy efficiency companies
• Impact: Partnerships with direct-to-consumer appliance brands and smart home technology companies
• Rakuten Advertising: Affiliate programs for major retailers and energy product manufacturers
• Direct Manufacturer Programs: Some manufacturers (like Generac, Goal Zero, Bluetti) have their own affiliate programs separate from networks

Transparency Note: Regardless of which network or program we use, all affiliate relationships are disclosed, and our editorial standards remain unchanged.

5. Editorial Independence

Here's how we maintain editorial independence:

5.1 Data-Driven Analysis

All wattage figures, cost calculations, and efficiency recommendations are based on verified data from authoritative sources like the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Department of Energy (DOE), and Energy Star. We do not adjust our data to favor products with higher commission rates.

5.2 No Pay-for-Placement

Manufacturers and retailers cannot pay to be featured in our articles, comparison tables, or recommendations. If a product appears in our content, it's because it's relevant to the topic — not because someone paid us to include it.

5.3 Honest Pros and Cons

When we analyze appliances or products, we present both advantages and disadvantages. We do not sugarcoat issues or exaggerate benefits to drive affiliate sales.

5.4 No Misleading Claims

We never use manipulative language like "This product will change your life!" or "You NEED to buy this NOW!" to drive affiliate conversions. Our content is factual, objective, and designed to help you make informed decisions.

6. How to Identify Affiliate Links

We make affiliate links easy to identify on HowManyWatts.org:

• Asterisk Disclosure: Links marked with an asterisk (*) are affiliate links, with a disclosure at the top or bottom of the article explaining "Links marked with (*) are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you."
• Inline Disclosure: Some links include text like "This is an affiliate link" or "[Affiliate Link]" directly next to them
• Clear Language: We use straightforward language like "We may earn a commission if you purchase through this link" rather than obscure legal jargon
• Page-Level Disclosure: Articles containing affiliate links include a disclosure box at the beginning of the content
• Visual Indicators: Some affiliate links may have a small icon or different styling to make them stand out

Example Disclosure Box You'll See:

7. Your Purchasing Decisions

Important: Whether or not we have affiliate relationships, you should always:

• Compare prices across multiple retailers
• Read customer reviews on multiple platforms
• Check the manufacturer's specifications directly
• Consider your specific needs and budget
• Verify warranty and return policies before purchasing

Our goal is to provide you with accurate energy consumption data and cost analysis — the purchasing decision is always yours to make.

8. Third-Party Advertisements vs. Affiliate Links

It's important to understand the difference between display advertising (Google AdSense) and affiliate links:

8.1 Google AdSense (Display Ads)

As mentioned, we use Google AdSense to display advertisements on our site. These ads are selected by Google's algorithms based on your browsing history and interests, not by us. We do not control which ads appear or endorse the products advertised.

Key Points About AdSense Ads:

• Ads are clearly labeled as "Advertisement" or "Sponsored"
• We earn revenue based on clicks or impressions, not product sales
• Ad revenue does not influence our editorial content
• Google uses cookies to personalize ads (see our Privacy Policy for details)

8.2 Affiliate Links (Contextual Product Links)

Unlike display ads, affiliate links are contextually placed within our articles and point to specific products or services we mention. Here's the difference:

• Contextual: Affiliate links are embedded in our content where we discuss specific products or tools
• Editorial Choice: We choose which products to link to based on relevance and quality
• Commission-Based: We earn a commission only when you make a purchase through the link
• Clearly Marked: All affiliate links are disclosed with (*) or explicit language

Both revenue streams (AdSense and affiliate commissions) help us maintain free, high-quality content, but they work differently and are disclosed separately.

9. Sponsored Content and Product Reviews

Current Policy: HowManyWatts.org occasionally accepts sponsored content and paid product reviews from energy companies, appliance manufacturers, and energy efficiency service providers.

Our Sponsored Content Standards:

• Clear Labeling: All sponsored content is clearly labeled as "Sponsored," "Paid Partnership," "Sponsored by [Brand]," or "Advertisement" at the top of the article in large, bold text
• Visual Distinction: Sponsored articles have a different background color or border to distinguish them from editorial content
• Editorial Control: While sponsors may suggest topics, we maintain final editorial control over accuracy, tone, and compliance with our data standards
• Factual Accuracy: All claims in sponsored content must be verifiable and backed by data from authoritative sources
• No Misleading Content: We reject sponsored content that makes exaggerated claims or attempts to mislead readers
• Disclosure Page: This Affiliate Disclosure page lists all current sponsored content partnerships

Current Sponsored Partnerships: We will maintain an updated list here of any active sponsored content agreements. As of the last update to this page, we have [no active sponsored partnerships / partnerships with the following companies: ____].

10. Questions About Our Monetization

We believe transparency builds trust. If you have questions about our revenue model, affiliate relationships (current or future), or how we maintain editorial independence, we encourage you to reach out.

11. Amazon Associates Disclosure

Active Program Disclosure:

This means that when you click on Amazon product links on our site (marked with * or labeled as affiliate links) and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. The price you pay is the same whether you use our affiliate link or go directly to Amazon.

Additional ClickBank Disclosure

12. Updates to This Policy

We will update this Affiliate Disclosure page whenever we introduce new monetization methods, affiliate relationships, or partnerships. Major changes will be reflected in the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page.

We encourage you to review this page periodically to stay informed about how we generate revenue and maintain our independence.

13. Our Promise to You

At HowManyWatts.org, your trust is our most valuable asset. We promise to:

• Always prioritize accuracy over revenue potential
• Fully disclose all financial relationships that could influence our content
• Never hide or obscure affiliate links or sponsored content
• Maintain editorial independence regardless of advertising or affiliate income
• Put your needs first by providing unbiased, data-driven information

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If you have any questions about this Affiliate Disclosure, our monetization prac