This Privacy Policy explains how Renewable Heating Hub collects, stores and uses your personal data when you use our website (www.renewableheatinghub.co.uk), including any forums, forms, comments, newsletters and AI-based services like Wattson.
By using the site, you agree to the terms outlined in this policy. If you have questions or concerns, please contact us directly.
What information we collect
We may collect and process the following data:
- Information you provide directly, such as your name, email address, or profile information when registering or commenting
- Content you submit, such as forum posts, messages, reviews, or form submissions
- Technical information like IP address, browser type, location data, and browsing behaviour on our site
- Responses or interactions with Wattson (our AI assistant), used anonymously for research, editorial and support purposes
We do not knowingly collect data from anyone under the age of 16.
How we use your data
We collect data to:
- Provide and personalise our services (e.g. forums, newsletters, Wattson)
- Communicate with you (e.g. replies to messages, important service updates)
- Improve the site, diagnose issues, and monitor performance
- Analyse trends and anonymised feedback to produce reports and content
- Comply with legal obligations and ensure platform safety
We will not sell or rent your personal information to third parties.
Anonymised use of data
We may use anonymised user interactions (including forum posts, comments, Wattson conversations and feedback) to inform published articles, support resources, industry reports, or summaries aimed at improving awareness and knowledge about renewable heating.
No personally identifying information will be shared in these outputs.
Cookies and third-party tools
We use cookies to help deliver a smoother user experience and to analyse site traffic. These include:
- Essential site cookies (for login sessions, forum access, preferences)
- Analytics cookies to understand how visitors interact with the site
- Google cookies, including those used for personalised advertising and content tracking via Google AdSense and Google Analytics
You may manage or withdraw cookie consent at any time via our site’s cookie banner. Please be aware that disabling cookies may affect functionality.
How we store and protect your data
We take data security seriously. All reasonable steps are taken to protect your personal data, including encrypted connections (HTTPS), secure servers, and limited staff access. However, no system is 100% secure, and you provide information at your own risk.
Data retention
We retain your data only for as long as necessary:
- Account and profile data remain active until you delete your account or request removal
- Forum and comment contributions may remain published but anonymised upon request
- Newsletter data is stored until you unsubscribe or request deletion
You may request data deletion or a copy of your personal information at any time (see contact below).
Sharing your data
We will only share your personal information with third parties when:
- Required by law or to comply with legal processes
- Needed to provide services on our behalf (e.g. email delivery platforms)
- Protecting our rights, users, or enforcing site policies
We will never sell your data or allow third parties to use it for their own marketing purposes.
Your rights
You have the right to:
- Access a copy of the personal data we hold about you
- Correct inaccurate data
- Request deletion of your personal data
- Withdraw consent where applicable
- Lodge a complaint with a data protection authority
To exercise these rights, contact us directly at: editor@renewableheatinghub.co.uk
Third-party websites
Links to external websites are provided for convenience, but we do not control their privacy practices. Please check their policies independently.
Updates to this policy
We may revise this Privacy Policy at any time. Changes take effect once published on this page. Please review it regularly to stay informed.