Safety Disclaimer

Not a substitute for professional help

Nothing on this site creates a professional relationship. Before any installation, repair or decision with safety consequences, consult an appropriately qualified and licensed professional — a licensed electrician, plumber, gas fitter, structural engineer, medical professional or your local building-authority — and follow the manufacturer's instructions and your local codes.

Hazards that always deserve a professional or the manual

• Electrical work and grid-tie/solar installations: incorrect wiring, earthing or backfeed can be fatal and may void insurance. Use a licensed electrician and meet local electrical code.
• Batteries and power stations: follow the maker's charge/discharge, storage and disposal guidance. Damaged, swollen or improperly charged lithium batteries can vent or ignite. Never modify battery packs unless you know exactly what you are doing.
• Generators, fuel and carbon monoxide: never run a fuel-burning engine indoors or near openings. Use carbon-monoxide alarms and follow fuel-storage rules.
• Drinking-water treatment: filtration and disinfection requirements depend on your source water. Have questionable supplies tested and follow public-health guidance; a filter is not a guarantee of safety.
• Food preservation and storage: canning, dehydration and cold-chain rules exist to prevent serious illness. Follow vetted, current food-safety guidance and trust tested times and temperatures over folklore.
• Structural and roof loads: water tanks, solar arrays and heavy storage impose real loads. Have a qualified person confirm your structure can carry them.

Your responsibility

You are responsible for assessing whether any idea, tool, product or calculation on this site is suitable and safe for your situation, and for complying with the laws, codes and standards that apply where you live. Figures, runtimes and estimates on Spare Theory are planning aids with stated assumptions and limitations — they are not guarantees of performance, safety or sufficiency.

No liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Spare Theory accepts no liability for loss, damage or injury arising from your use of, or reliance on, information published on this site. See our Terms of Use for the full limitations.

Emergencies

In an emergency, contact your local emergency services immediately. Do not rely on a web page for urgent help.