With energy prices set to rise by an average of 3.6%, the Ofgem energy price cap will increase to £1,723 per year for a typical dual-fuel household, £60 higher than the previous cap.
As the cost of living remains sky high, it is no surprise that consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about household bills.
While upgrading to energy-efficient, high-performance windows and doors is a great way to reduce heat loss and, in turn, keep costs down, those spending hard-earned cash on big-ticket items will want reassurance that the investment is worth it. For installers, this presents an opportunity.
“The positive impact of higher energy prices on installers trading in the retail market is that those homeowners who are in a position to buy are going to be more receptive to an energy efficiency sell,” says Darren Woodcock, General Manager, Deceuninck.
“The key is giving them confidence in the products you pitch.
“Making claims about energy performance is one thing, but being able to support those claims is essential, especially in an economically challenging and increasingly competitive market.”
With household finances under continued pressure, homeowners don’t just want promises that new windows and doors will help them save money in the long term. They want proof.
This is where tools such as Deceuninck’s Energy Savings Calculator can play an important role. The straightforward technology enables installers to demonstrate how much upgrading a homeowner’s windows and doors could reduce their heating bills, estimating the potential savings based on current energy prices. [Link: calculator.uk.deceuninck.com/energy_calculator/pk_cRQJqZzaODFijq573nYPkDpo]
“The Energy Savings Calculator generates numbers in seconds,” adds Darren. “It helps homeowners see the long-term value of investing in energy efficiency, in terms that they understand, and sometimes that’s what’s needed to convert a good sales pitch into an order.”
Importantly, the calculator gives installers something tangible to put in front of the customer by applying technical information to the homeowner’s own property and presenting it in simple terms.
This can be particularly useful when customers are comparing quotations. Price will always be part of the decision, but illustrating the potential benefits of a higher-performance product over time can help installers demonstrate long-term value as opposed to initial cost.
In addition to financial benefits, the Calculator also suggests potential annual carbon savings, at a time when consumers are increasingly interested in the sustainability credentials of the products they buy.
“Today’s consumers want to know where materials come from, how much recycled content products contain and what happens to them at the end of their service lives,” says Darren.
“The Energy Savings Calculator gives a handy overview of CO2 savings, which is another great way to reinforce the sustainability message.
“Installers don't need to be sustainability experts, but they do need to be able to answer customers’ questions confidently and accurately.”
As homeowners become more discerning about environmental claims and more likely to challenge vague statements about ‘green’ products, providing clear and accessible information helps installers show that sustainability claims are supported.
Deceuninck’s sustainability marketing assets – including plug-and-play website content, presenter packs, social media assets, sustainability brochures, showroom materials, and door-drop literature – are designed to support those conversations, providing installers with reliable information to back up the environmental credentials of its products.
“The more information you can provide, the more likely the homeowner is to trust your claims,” adds Darren.
“Today’s homeowners want to know what they are buying, what it will do for their home and whether it represents a worthwhile investment.
“Installers who can answer those questions honestly and back up their answers with evidence are in a stronger position to win the sale.”
