GGF Consumer Survey Provides Useful Insights

GGF Consumer Survey Provides Useful Insights

The GGF recently commissioned an independent consumer survey and the final results have revealed some useful insights for the Federation and its Members.

The Survey conducted by One Poll was sent to 2000 homeowners across the UK who were asked 18 questions covering a range of topics including energy efficiency, competent person schemes and consumer codes.  

On the release of the survey results, James Lee, GGF Director of Marketing and Communications said, “With all the work the GGF is doing to help consumer facing Members, it seemed logical for the GGF to survey consumers to understand and evaluate their views and opinions. The results have proved both insightful and encouraging.”

The GGF plans to use the results in several different ways.

Firstly, they will be used to support the GGF/MyGlazing.com consumer PR campaign. The survey’s results will also underpin the GGF’s political messages and ongoing activity. In addition, the GGF will use the survey to promote the GGF’s approved Consumer Code to both existing Members and wider industry.  

A selection of the headlines from the survey are listed below:

Energy Efficiency

• 62% of consumers are unaware that more than 20% of heat energy in the home is lost through inefficient windows and doors
• On average, consumers believe only 17% of heat energy in the home is lost through inefficient windows and doors
• 37% are surprised to find that 23% of heat energy in the home is lost through inefficient windows and doors
• 51% of those surveyed say that knowing 23% of heat energy in the home is lost through inefficient windows and doors, makes them consider installing new windows and doors
• 54% of homeowners have energy efficient windows and doors installed
• Almost 75% would consider energy efficient windows and doors important when buying a new home

Consumer Code

• 30% said they have referred to a consumer code when making a purchase.
• 53.5% said they haven’t yet referred to a consumer code but would do in the future.
• 58% said that knowing a company’s ‘Consumer Code of Conduct’ had been approved by a Government-backed body such as the Chartered Trading Standards Institute would influence their purchasing decision
• Only 17% said they have never heard of a consumer code

General consumer views

• 57% would install new windows and doors to increase the value of their home; only 10% would never consider this as a means of increasing value
• 67% of homeowners spent some money on home improvements in 2016
• 62% have heard of a Competent Persons Scheme
• Energy saving tops the list of reasons why homeowners would install new windows, at 35%; 25% say money saving is their first priority, 14% want to keep out noise
• 29% of homeowners will consider making home improvements in the next 18 months
• Of those considering making home improvements in the next 18 months, top of the list of considerations is new windows at 33%
• 58% of homeowners distrust glazing/home improvement companies who contact them unsolicited

The GGF intends to conduct more consumer surveys in future to support myglazing.com content and to help steer the GGF’s future strategies for its support package for the benefit of its consumer facing Members.