Home Information Debt / Sources
Source ledger
Every numerical claim in version 1, with its scope and evidence boundary. Last reviewed September 10, 2026.
Source 1
Leak Facts
- Publisher
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, WaterSense
- Year
- 2017 archived page; facts remain referenced by current WaterSense materials
- Geography
- United States
- Definition
- Household plumbing leaks and estimated water waste
- Method note
- EPA national program synthesis; the page does not provide a household-level sampling methodology
- Claim used
- Average household leaks can waste more than 10,000 gallons annually; 10% of homes have leaks wasting at least 90 gallons per day; fixing readily corrected leaks can save about 10% on water bills.
- Accessed
- September 10, 2026
Source 2
Energy Saver 101: Home Cooling
- Publisher
- U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver
- Year
- 2025 web edition
- Geography
- United States
- Definition
- Central air-conditioning maintenance and indicative equipment lifespan
- Method note
- Federal consumer guidance; not a population survey or warranty
- Claim used
- Routine filter cleaning or replacement can lower air-conditioner energy use 5%–15%; the guide presents 15–20 years as a central AC lifespan range.
- Accessed
- September 10, 2026
Source 3
Publication 523 (2025), Selling Your Home
- Publisher
- Internal Revenue Service
- Year
- 2025
- Geography
- United States federal tax context
- Definition
- Records used to establish adjusted basis and calculate gain or loss
- Method note
- Federal tax guidance; applicability depends on taxpayer facts and current law
- Claim used
- Real-estate owners should retain records documenting adjusted basis; additions and qualifying improvements can increase basis, while ordinary repairs generally do not.
- Accessed
- September 10, 2026
Source 4
Publication 530 (2025), Tax Information for Homeowners
- Publisher
- Internal Revenue Service
- Year
- 2025
- Geography
- United States federal tax context
- Definition
- Records supporting purchase, improvements, basis adjustments, deductions, and credits
- Method note
- Federal tax guidance; record-retention periods depend on the underlying tax item
- Claim used
- Keep purchase and settlement documents and evidence for improvements and other basis adjustments for as long as they remain important under federal tax law.
- Accessed
- September 10, 2026
Source 5
Schedule a home inspection
- Publisher
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Year
- Current web guidance
- Geography
- United States
- Definition
- Independent inspection in the home-buying process
- Method note
- Federal consumer guidance, not a cost study
- Claim used
- A home inspection is distinct from an appraisal and can help a buyer identify problems before purchase.
- Accessed
- September 10, 2026
How to cite this resource
Potomac Lux. “The Hidden Cost of a Home That Nobody Remembers: The Home Information Debt Framework, Version 1.” Potomac Lux Research, September 10, 2026. https://www.potomaclux.com/research/home-information-debt.
Numerical claims should cite the original source above, not Potomac Lux as the primary data producer.