Affiliate & Editorial Disclosure
In compliance with Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines under 16 CFR Part 255 ("Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising"), this page provides full transparency regarding how Midwest AEC (https://midwestaec.com) is funded, our affiliate partnerships, and our commitment to editorial independence.
The Short Summary
Midwest AEC is an independent, free-to-read building science journal. We fund our in-depth research, architectural illustrations, and continuous server maintenance through partnerships with vetted contractor matching networks and affiliate programs. When you click our links or submit an inquiry to connect with local contractors, we may receive financial compensation at absolutely zero additional cost to you.
1. How Our Contractor Referral Partnerships Work
Across our technical specification articles and directories, you will see callout cards and buttons inviting you to connect with local contractors (for example: *"Get Local Contractor Quotes"* or *"Connect with Vetted Specialists"*).
These features are powered by reputable home improvement lead-generation networks, including Modernize Home Services and Networx. When you enter your postal code and project scope to request an estimate:
- The partner network matches your project with licensed, insured contractors serving your regional area.
- In return for introducing a qualified homeowner project to the network, the affiliate network pays Midwest AEC a referral fee (Cost-Per-Lead or Cost-Per-Action).
- This compensation has zero impact on the price you pay. Contractors pay the lead generation network for customer acquisition, and quotes provided to you remain competitive and free of obligation.
2. Editorial Independence & Technical Integrity
Our credibility as a building science publication rests entirely on objective, physically sound analysis. Therefore, we enforce a strict wall between our technical editorial standards and our monetization channels:
- No Paid Favoritism: We never accept payment, free products, or sponsorship fees in exchange for favorable reviews or biased technical ratings. If a material, assembly, or mechanical system fails to meet ASTM performance standards or code requirements in Climate Zone 5, we state so unequivocally.
- Physics First: Our recommendations—such as specifying hydrophobic continuous mineral wool over low-density batts, or sizing cold-climate inverter heat pumps with vapor flash-injection—are driven strictly by thermodynamic physics, moisture transport calculations, and field failure data.
- No Direct Contractor Hiring: We do not sell preferred placements to individual contractors. Any contractor matched through our partner networks is screened independently by that network.
3. Material & Product Affiliate Links
Occasionally, our articles may contain direct product links to building materials, testing tools (such as digital manometers or smoke pencils), or specialty building supplies. If you purchase an item after clicking one of these links, we may earn a small percentage of the sale through affiliate networks (such as CJ Affiliate or Impact).
Again, this transaction occurs at zero additional cost to you. We only recommend materials and tools that we have vetted for quality, durability, and code compliance in Midwestern climates.
4. Reader Questions & Transparency
We believe that full transparency builds long-term trust. If you ever have a question about how an article was researched, whether a specific link is an affiliate link, or our editorial policies, please do not hesitate to contact our team: