Editorial Policy

Our standards

1. Answer the real question. Each guide targets one question a Filipino household actually has and answers it early.
2. Primary sources first. We cite the Department of Energy, the Energy Regulatory Commission, distribution utilities and electric cooperatives, Philippine laws, manufacturers’ documentation and research institutions. Dated news reports are used for announcements such as monthly rate changes. Every source we cite is one we have read, and it is linked at the end of the article.
3. Facts and estimates are kept apart. Anything calculated from assumptions is labelled as an example or estimate, with the assumptions stated. We don’t present invented numbers as facts.
4. No savings promises. Energy savings depend on your home, habits, equipment and tariff. We explain the drivers; we don’t guarantee outcomes.
5. No fabricated experience. We don’t lab-test products, and we never claim hands-on testing, expert credentials or customer reviews we don’t have.

How we use AI tools

We use AI writing and research tools to help gather sources, draft articles and check calculations. AI output is treated as a first draft: claims are checked against the sources we link, figures that couldn’t be verified are removed or flagged for review, and the site owner edits and approves content before and after publication. Articles credited to “SmartEnergyPH Editorial” are produced this way. If a named person reviews an article, their name, role and review date appear at the top.

Fact-checking and review

Before an article is published or updated, we check:

• every number, rate, law, resolution and date against the cited source;
• that worked examples are calculated correctly and labelled as examples;
• that time-sensitive figures (tariffs, rules, prices) show their date;
• that safety information is accurate and points to licensed professionals where needed;
• that links work and internal links go to the right pages.

Items that need a specialist’s confirmation are tracked in our editorial notes and kept out of the article, or worded neutrally, until they are confirmed.

Dates on our pages

“Published” is when an article first appeared. “Updated” means we made a meaningful change — new figures, new rules, or corrected information — not a cosmetic edit. “Reviewed by” appears only when a named person has reviewed the article.

Corrections

If we get something wrong, we fix it and update the date. Significant corrections are noted in the article. Please tell us about errors — include a link to the correct source if you can.

Independence from advertisers and partners

• Commercial relationships — affiliate programmes, installer referrals, advertising or sponsorship — never decide what we write or recommend.
• Paid placements are always labelled “Sponsored” and kept visually separate from editorial content.
• Pages that contain affiliate links say so at the top. See our affiliate disclosure.

Calculators

Calculator formulas, default assumptions and their sources are documented in our calculation methodology. Default values such as the example electricity rate are reviewed when new official figures are published.