PRIVACY POLICY

Last Updated: February 4, 2025

Baker's Heating and Air Conditioning respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect from our customers and website visitors, how we use and share that information, and your rights regarding your information. We comply with applicable California privacy laws, including the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). By using Baker's Heating and Air Conditioning’s services or website, you consent to the data practices described in this Policy.


1. Information We Collect

Personal Information: When you engage our services or contact us, we collect certain personal details from you, such as your name, phone number, email address, and physical address. We only collect what you voluntarily provide to us (e.g., when scheduling a service, filling out a form on our website, or communicating with us).

Payment Information: If you pay for our services via credit or debit card, that data is collected securely through our third-party payment processor. Baker's Heating and Air Conditioning itself does not store your full card number or security code. We may keep necessary transaction records (e.g., the last four digits of your card and the date of payment) for bookkeeping, but do not keep full payment details.

Service Details: We may collect information related to the job itself, such as notes about your HVAC system, maintenance history, or issues reported. We treat this information as part of your customer record to serve you better.

Communications: If you communicate with us (by phone, email, text, or web form), we collect the content of your message and any contact info you provide. For example, if you email us about a repair, we keep that email to respond effectively and maintain service records.

Automatically Collected Information: Our website may automatically log certain technical information (IP address, browser type, etc.) for security and troubleshooting. We do not use this data to personally identify you unless it becomes necessary to protect our rights or investigate illegal activity.


2. How We Use Your Information

  • Providing and Improving Services: We use your information to schedule and complete HVAC maintenance, repairs, and installations. We maintain service records to track history, ensure quality, and honor warranties.
  • Communication: We use your phone number or email to confirm appointments, send invoices, and respond to inquiries. We may also provide reminders or follow-up information.
  • Billing and Transactions: We use payment information to process your payments and maintain transaction records for accounting purposes.
  • Reminders and Notifications: With your permission, we may remind you of upcoming maintenance or important service-related updates.
  • Marketing (Limited): We may occasionally send promotional messages to existing customers (e.g., seasonal discounts). You can opt out of such messages at any time. We do not share your mobile information with third parties for marketing purposes.
  • Legal and Safety: We may use or disclose information to comply with legal obligations or protect the rights, safety, or property of our business, our customers, or others.
  • Internal Record-Keeping: We maintain databases of customer information and service history to support future service visits and warranty claims.

3. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We share your information only in the following contexts:

  • Third-Party Service Providers: We partner with reputable providers for payment processing, scheduling/CRM software, SMS/email communications, etc. They are contractually bound to use your data only as directed by us and not for their own purposes.
  • Financing Partners: If you pursue financing for a large project, you submit personal financial data directly to the financing provider. Baker HVAC does not handle or store this information.
  • Business Transfers: If Baker's Heating and Air Conditioning is ever involved in a merger or sale of assets, customer information may be transferred to the acquiring entity.
  • Legal Compliance and Protection: We may disclose information if required by law, or if necessary to protect the rights, safety, or property of Baker's Heating and Air Conditioning or others.
  • With Your Consent: We will request your permission before sharing your information for any other purpose.

4. Analytics Providers

Baker's Heating and Air Conditioning does use Google Analytics to understand website traffic and improve user experience. Google Analytics uses cookies or similar technologies to collect certain information about your visits, such as IP address (which may be anonymized), browser type, and pages visited. This data helps us analyze usage patterns on our site. We do not share personally identifiable information (like your name or email) with Google Analytics, and we configure it only to measure how users engage with our site content.

Google Analytics processes information under its own privacy policy. We consider Google a “service provider” or “processor,” and we do not authorize Google to sell or disclose your data for any other purpose. If you wish to opt out of Google Analytics tracking, you can adjust your browser settings to block or delete cookies, or you can use the Google Analytics opt-out add-on (no link provided here).


5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Use of Cookies: Because we employ Google Analytics, our website places analytics cookies on your browser to collect usage statistics. This may include information like the pages you visit and how long you stay on our site. These cookies help us understand user behavior so we can improve site functionality.

  • Why We Use Them: We use these analytics cookies for legitimate business purposes, like improving website navigation and service offerings.
  • Managing Cookies: Most browsers accept cookies automatically, but you can choose to block or delete them. Please note that disabling cookies might affect certain website features. If you wish to block Google Analytics cookies specifically, you can do so by modifying your browser settings or using the Google Analytics opt-out add-on.

No Sale of Data: We do not share your analytics data for advertising or cross-site tracking. We only use it for internal analysis and improvements. We do not share your mobile information with third parties for marketing purposes.


6. Communication and Marketing Preferences

  • Service Communications: We will communicate with you about appointments, work performed, and related service updates. These are considered transactional messages necessary for our contractual obligations.
  • Marketing Communications: Occasionally, we may send promotional emails or mailers. If you prefer not to receive them, you can opt out by contacting us or by following any provided unsubscribe instructions. You will still receive communications necessary for services (e.g., invoices).
  • Text Messages: We may send text messages for appointment reminders or service alerts. You can opt out of marketing texts at any time by replying “STOP,” or by contacting us, our contact information can be found below. Standard messaging rates may apply. We do not share your mobile information with third parties for marketing purposes.

7. Data Security

We take reasonable measures to protect your information from unauthorized access or disclosure. Our practices include:

  • Secure Transmission: We use encryption (e.g., SSL) on payment portals and forms.
  • Access Controls: We restrict employee access to only those who need it to perform their duties.
  • Storage Protections: Customer data is stored in secure databases or cloud services with industry-standard security.
  • Payment Security: Payment details are processed by a PCI-DSS compliant provider, and we do not store full card information.
  • Device and Network Security: We maintain current security software and secure office procedures.
  • No Excess Data: We minimize collecting and retaining data that is not essential to our services.

While we strive to use commercially acceptable security practices, no method is 100% secure. In the event of a breach affecting your personal data, we will comply with applicable legal requirements, including any required notifications.


8. Data Retention

We keep your personal information as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Policy or as required by law. This may include:

  • Service Records: Retained indefinitely to manage ongoing or future HVAC work, maintenance history, and warranties.
  • Inactive Customers: We may archive records but often keep them for reference in case you return.
  • Legal Requirements: Transaction data is kept to meet accounting, tax, and regulatory obligations.
  • Deletion Requests: If you request deletion, we will remove or anonymize your data unless we have a legal or legitimate business reason to keep it (e.g., for a warranty record).

9. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have specific rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know the personal information we have collected about you, the right to request deletion, and the right to opt out of the sale of personal data. Baker's Heating and Air Conditioning does not sell personal information, so the opt-out from sale is not applicable. We also will not discriminate against you for exercising any of your privacy rights.

To make a CCPA request or learn more, you can contact us via phone, email, or mail. We may need to verify your identity before proceeding with your request.


10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal reasons. We will update the “Last Updated” date at the top of this Policy when we do so. Continued use of our services or website after updates signifies your acceptance of the revised Policy.


11. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests about this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please reach out to:

Baker's Heating and Air Conditioning
Attn: Privacy Officer (or Customer Service)
P.O. Box 104, Lodi, CA 95241

Phone: 209-334-5338
Email: admin@bakerhvac.com

We value your trust and strive to address any privacy-related inquiries promptly.