Cookie Policy
Last updated: June 3, 2026
1. About This Policy
This Cookie Policy explains how Canadian Energy Guide ("we," "us," or "our") uses cookies, browser local storage, and similar technologies when you visit canadianenergyguide.com. We are an independent consumer-education publisher focused on residential solar power in Canada; we are not an installer and we do not sell equipment. Because we publish information rather than operate an online store or a logged-in account system, our use of these technologies is deliberately minimal.
This policy should be read together with our Privacy Policy, which describes the broader ways we handle personal information, including any details you choose to submit through our checklist request form. Where this Cookie Policy and the Privacy Policy overlap, the Privacy Policy governs the handling of personal information generally, while this document focuses specifically on storage technologies in your browser.
2. What Are Cookies & Similar Technologies
A cookie is a small text file that a website asks your browser to save on your device. When you return to the site, the browser sends that file back, which lets the site recognize settings or remember a previous choice. Cookies have been the traditional way to store small pieces of information, but modern browsers offer several related mechanisms that do similar jobs.
"Local storage" (technically the Web Storage API's localStorage) is one such mechanism. Unlike a cookie, data placed in localStorage stays on your device and is not automatically transmitted with every page request. It persists until it is explicitly removed by the website or cleared by you through your browser. Other similar technologies include session storage, pixels, and tracking scripts loaded from third parties.
Importantly, this site primarily uses browser localStorage rather than traditional cookies. When you respond to our consent banner, your choice is recorded in localStorage under the key cookie_consent. We do not place that preference in an actual HTTP cookie. Throughout this policy we use the words "cookies and similar technologies" to cover all of these methods together, but in practice our footprint is essential storage only.
3. How We Use Cookies & Similar Technologies
We group the technologies we may use into a small number of clear categories so you can understand what each one does:
- Essential storage — strictly necessary for the site to function and to honour your consent choice. This is always active and cannot be switched off.
- Third-party assets — resources such as web fonts that are loaded from another provider to render the page as designed.
- Analytics and performance — optional measurement that, if ever enabled, would help us understand which guides readers find useful. This category runs only with your consent.
- Marketing and advertising — technologies used to build profiles or serve targeted ads. We do not currently use this category at all.
4. Cookies & Storage We Use
The table below lists the storage entries and third-party requests associated with this site. We have kept it deliberately short and honest: aside from remembering your consent choice and loading our typography, the site does not track you.
| Cookie | Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| cookie_consent | Essential / localStorage | Remembers whether you accepted or declined non-essential storage so the consent banner does not reappear on every visit. | Persistent localStorage — until cleared by you |
| Google Fonts | Third-party request | Loads the Archivo and Figtree typefaces from Google's font servers so the page renders with its intended typography. No cookie is set by us; the request reaches Google's servers. | Per request (no persistent cookie set by us) |
| Analytics (e.g. measurement script) | Analytics — only with consent | Would record anonymous, aggregated usage such as page views to help us improve our guides. Not currently active; if enabled, it loads only after you accept. | Only if accepted; varies by provider |
| Advertising / marketing | Marketing | None set. We do not use advertising or cross-site tracking cookies on this site. | Not applicable |
5. Essential Cookies & Storage
Essential storage is the small amount of data that the site needs in order to work correctly and to respect the privacy choice you have already made. The single essential item we rely on is the cookie_consent value saved in localStorage. Without it, the consent banner would have no memory and would ask you the same question on every page load, which would be both annoying and contrary to the spirit of honouring your preference.
Because this storage is strictly necessary for the basic operation of the site and exists solely to deliver a service you have effectively requested, it cannot be switched off through the consent banner. You can still remove it manually at any time by clearing your browser's site data, but doing so will simply cause the banner to appear again on your next visit.
6. Analytics & Performance
Analytics and performance tools help publishers understand which articles readers value and where pages could load faster or read more clearly. As of the last-updated date of this policy, Canadian Energy Guide does not run any active analytics tracking; the site stores essential data only. We mention analytics here so that our policy remains accurate if we introduce measurement in the future.
If we do add analytics, it will load only after you give consent through the banner described below, and we would favour privacy-respecting, aggregated measurement rather than tools that build individual profiles. Declining non-essential storage means no analytics technology will be placed on your device.
7. Marketing / Advertising Cookies
Canadian Energy Guide does not currently set marketing or advertising cookies, and we do not use cross-site tracking, retargeting pixels, or behavioural advertising profiles on this site. While we may earn compensation when readers connect with featured installers, that relationship is handled through the disclosed links and forms on our pages, not through advertising trackers stored in your browser. If this ever changes, we will update this policy and seek your express consent before any such technology is used.
8. Managing Your Preferences
You are always in control. On this site, you can use the consent banner that appears at the bottom of the screen on your first visit: choose Accept to allow non-essential storage or Decline to limit the site to essential storage only. Your decision is saved in localStorage so you are not asked again. To revisit the banner, clear this site's stored data in your browser and reload the page.
You can also manage cookies and site storage directly in your browser. The exact steps differ slightly by application:
- Google Chrome — open Settings, choose Privacy and security, then Cookies and other site data, where you can block, delete, or clear data for specific sites.
- Mozilla Firefox — open Settings, select Privacy & Security, then use the Cookies and Site Data section to manage and clear stored data.
- Safari — open Settings (or Preferences), choose the Privacy tab, then Manage Website Data to review and remove stored items.
- Microsoft Edge — open Settings, select Cookies and site permissions, then Manage and delete cookies and site data.
Please note that disabling or clearing some storage may limit functionality. In particular, removing our essential cookie_consent value will cause the consent banner to reappear, since the site can no longer remember your earlier choice.
9. Legal Basis & Consent (PIPEDA)
In Canada, our handling of personal information is governed by the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), and we follow the guidance issued by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) regarding consent for cookies and tracking technologies. Under that framework, consent should be meaningful, and the form of consent we seek is proportionate to the sensitivity of the information involved.
For essential storage, such as the consent preference itself, we rely on the legitimate operation of the site: this data is strictly necessary to provide a service you have effectively asked for and to honour your own privacy choice. For any analytics, marketing, or other non-essential technologies, we rely on your express consent, obtained through the Accept option on the banner before such technologies are activated. You may withdraw consent at any time by selecting Decline or by clearing the relevant storage in your browser, and withdrawing consent will not affect the essential operation of the site.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the technologies we use, in our practices, or in applicable Canadian law and OPC guidance. When we make a material change, we will revise the "Last updated" date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, refresh the consent banner so that you can review your choice. We encourage you to revisit this page periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies and similar technologies.
11. Contact
If you have questions about this Cookie Policy or about how we use cookies and similar technologies, please contact us:
- Canadian Energy Guide
- Website: canadianenergyguide.com
- Email: editorial@canadianenergyguide.com