DECC: Taking up more efficient heating systems
The UK Government Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) commissioned Ipsos to conduct research to measure the public's awareness, and interest, in a range of more efficient heating systems. The study explored willingness to take up ground and air-source heat pumps, biomass boilers, heat networks, micro-combined heat and power and gas condensing boilers.
The main element of the study was a quantitative face-to-face survey with a nationally representative sample of 2,900 homeowners across Great Britain.
The survey included a discrete choice experiment which tested homeowners’ preferences between different heating systems. It tested whether, and how, these preferences shifted as the financial cost of the heating system changed and as different financial incentives were offered.
The study was supported by two phases of qualitative research which helped design the choice experiment, and helped interpret the results.
Downloads
The full report can be downloaded from the DECC website here.
Technical note
- The quantitative survey was conducted with 2,900 owner-occupiers aged 18+ between 28th August and 14th October 2012. The interviews were conducted face-to-face in respondents’ homes. The respondents were all adults who were at least jointly responsible for household decisions. Data were weighted to provide nationally representative results by region, household type and household composition; and whether the property was currently connected to the mains gas grid or not.
- Three qualitative workshops were held in July 2012, one each in England (London), Wales (Cowbridge) and Scotland (Glasgow). The workshops lasted 2.5 hours with 9 to 12 local participants attending each.
- Follow-up in-depth telephone interviews were conducted with 18 homeowners who had already completed the quantitative survey. Each interview lasted approximately 45 minutes. The fieldwork took place between 15 and 26 October 2012.
