Editorial standards

AI use disclosure

City pages are drafted with AI (Claude Sonnet 4.6), reviewed by our editorial team, and published only after passing uniqueness and factual-accuracy checks. One in every ten pages receives full human review.

Sourcing

• Plumber and gas-fitter licensing: Maryland Department of Labor (DLLR) State Board of Plumbing license search and gas-fitter certification registry, under MD Code, Business Occupations & Professions § 12-501.
• Plumbing and fuel-gas standards: Maryland Plumbing Code (state-amended IPC) and Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) fuel-gas code requirements.
• Energy efficiency rebates: EPA Energy Star hot water heater program and Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) heat-pump water heater rebates.
• Climate and freeze data: NWS Baltimore/Washington (LWX) for cold-snap and condensate-freeze risk windows.
• Water quality and sediment data: Baltimore City DPW and Maryland Department of the Environment Drinking Water Program for hardness and sediment-load reports.
• City populations: US Census Bureau (2020).
• Cost data: aggregated from HomeAdvisor, Angi, and PHCC pricing surveys for the Mid-Atlantic region.

Corrections

Factual errors: email corrections@mdwaterheater.com. We investigate within 7 business days.

What we do not do

• Do not publish fake reviews or fabricated contractor profiles.
• Do not claim plumbing or gas-fitter licenses we do not hold (we are a referral directory).
• Do not perform plumbing or gas work — work is by independent DLLR-licensed plumbers and certified gas-fitters.
• Do not provide fuel-gas-code interpretation. MDE fuel-gas rules, county permit requirements, and AHJ policies vary across Maryland; always defer to the permit office with jurisdiction over your property.