News I published 30 May 2022
Impact of gas prices on European households
In the last months of 2021, gas prices started rising rapidly in Europe and continued to do so. Since the Russian invasion in Ukraine at the end of February 2022, gas prices have increased even faster. These increased prices affect all markets and industries in some way, and the residential market is no exception. People who rely on gas to heat their houses will feel increased gas prices the most and may now consider changing to alternatives or at least improving the energy-efficiency of their house.
But how many people are relying on gas? And how worried are they about the future development of prices? To provide some clarity to any business involved in the residential market, we included questions on the impact of the war and rising gas prices in the research for USP Marketing Consultancy’s Q1 2022 European Home Improvement Monitor.
European consumers most commonly use gas boilers for heating
We asked 6.617 consumers from 11 European countries what type of heating systems they have in their homes. It turns out that 21% of European consumers have electric heaters and 10% use heat pumps. Of all homes of consumers, 9% have a fireplace and another 9% use a wood-burning or pellet stove for heating. The most used heating system by far is the gas-fuelled boiler, which 41% of consumers report to have in their home.
So, four out of ten European consumers rely on gas for their heating, but there are vast differences between the eleven countries in the scope of this research. In Denmark, only 16% of consumers reported to have a gas boiler in their home, for instance. In Italy and especially the UK, however, the vast majority of consumers seem to rely on gas for their heating, as 78% and 83% have gas boilers respectively.
How worried are they?
We asked consumers who have a gas boiler and thus rely on gas for their heating how they expect gas prices to develop in the coming year. Clearly, the vast majority is quite pessimistic, as 80% expect gas prices to increase even more. In the UK, where consumers rely on gas for heating the most, 85% expect prices to continue to increase. Clearly, many consumers relying on gas are worried about rising prices. The question is whether these worries about gas prices will actually push consumers to take action and what those actions will entail.
Consumers may invest to improve insulation to save on gas by preventing heat loss or change to other heating systems entirely. For an overview of planned home improvement jobs of consumers in eleven European countries and of the impact of war and rising prices on their home improvement behaviour, we refer you to USP Marketing Consultancy’s European Home Improvement Monitor. On top of these topics, the quarterly theme part of the Q1 2022 report focuses on media orientation of consumers, with a special focus on the rise of the digital native and new ways for inspiration and orientation for home improvement products.
Read more
12 December 2024 I Dirk Hoogenboom
Buying Behavior of Handymen
12 December 2024 I Henri Busker
Handymen Radar – Private Labels vs. Branded Products
12 December 2024 I Dirk Hoogenboom
Sustainability and Painting – What Matters Most?
12 December 2024 I Zeynep Kutsal
Are European Painters Getting Younger?
Fresh Insights Await
Our relevant reports
Delve into the newest findings across various market segments, crafted for a cutting-edge overview. Explore our insightful reports, brimming with up-to-date data, trend analyses, and in-depth examinations, all tailored to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the current market dynamics.
Construction
Home Improvement
Installation
Special reports
Construction
Decision making process Q3 2024
2024 87 pages
Unveil the decision-making processes in the construction industry through the lens of European architects. Discover the factors that influence crucial decisions and the interplay among different stakeholders.
1,850 Euro
Construction
Prefab H1 2024
2024 63 pages
Discover the adoption rate and benefits of prefabrication technology among European contractors in H1 2024. Understand the driving forces behind prefab usage and its impact on project efficiency and cost-saving.
6,300 Euro
Construction
Sustainability 2024
2024 72 pages
Painter Insight Monitor 2024 will focus on understanding the specific needs, preferences, and challenges faced by painters when it comes to sustainable products.
10,815 Euro
Construction
Importance of branding & branding funnels 2024
2024 62 pages
This report offers a comprehensive overview of importance of branding and branding funnels with a specific focus on European handymen. Brand behaviour is covered for each country, showing purchasing power, differences regarding quality, sustainability, online shopping, innovation-habit and private labels,
8,400 Euro
Construction
Future of construction Q2 2024
2024 82 pages
Explore the evolving future in construction sector among European architects in Q2 2024. Delve into the factors driving material preferences and the impact on construction aesthetics and sustainability.
1,850 Euro
Construction
Trends in material usage Q1 2024
2024 102 pages
Explore the evolving trends in material usage among European architects in Q1 2024. Delve into the factors driving material preferences and the impact on construction aesthetics and sustainability.
1,850 Euro
Home Improvement
European Garden Monitor
2023 43 pages
Explore the European Garden Monitor, a comprehensive platform dedicated to garden health monitoring in Europe. Access valuable resources and expert advice today.
12,000 Euro
Home Improvement
Purchase channels Q2 2024
2024 90 pages
The European Home Improvement Monitor offers valuable insights on purchase channels in the European home improvement industry, examining the evolving preferences and behaviors of consumers across traditional retail and emerging online platforms.
3,150 Euro
Home Improvement
Sustainability Q1 2024
2024 81 pages
Delve into sustainability trends in the home improvement sector in Q1 2024. Discover consumer preferences and the shift towards eco-friendly home improvement solutions.
3,150 Euro
Home Improvement
DIY versus DIFM Q4 2021
2024 113 pages
This report is a must-have if you’re in the home improvement industry. It provides a wealth of information on the behaviour of DIY and DIFM consumers, their motivations, and the factors that influence their purchasing decisions.
3,150 Euro
Home Improvement
DIY or DIFM Q4 2023
2024 70
Explore the prevailing trends between DIY and DIFM in Q4 2023. Understand consumer preferences and the factors influencing their choice between DIY and DIFM.
3,150 Euro
Home Improvement
Branding Q3 2023
2023 93 pages
This report offers an extensive overview of the home improvement industry, with a focus on branding and the most popular brands within different categories. Within this report, you will gain insights into how customers perceive home improvement brands and what motivates them to buy certain products.
3,150 Euro
Installation
Prefab Q3 2024
2024 110 pages
Uncover the adoption of prefabricated products in HVAC installations during Q2 2022. Delve into the benefits and challenges associated with prefabrication in HVAC.
2,650 Euro
Installation
Branding Q3 2024
2024 74 pages
Discover the power of branding in the home improvement sector. Explore how strong branding influences consumer preferences and purchase decisions.
3,150 Euro
Installation
Prefab Q3 2024
2024 119 pages
This report offers a comprehensive view of the installers’ involvement and needs regarding prefabricated electrical installations.
3,150 Euro
Installation
Smart & Connected Products Q2 2024
2024 120 pages
This report provides a comprehensive view of the attitudes of installers toward smart building solutions, specifically among electrical installers and their clients. In the report, you will find insights into the installers' experiences with installing smart products and the willingness of end users to invest in such solutions, as well as their motivations and pain points.
3,150 Euro
Installation
Smart and connected products Q2 2024
2024 129
This report provides a comprehensive view of the attitudes of installers toward smart building solutions, specifically among HVAC installers, plumbers and their clients. In the report, you will find insights into the installers' experiences with installing smart products and the willingness of end users to invest in such solutions, as well as their motivations and pain points.
3,150 Euro
Installation
BIM Q1 2024
2024 84 pages
The European Mechanical Installation Monitor report provides a detailed analysis of the plumbing and HVAC industry. This report specifically focuses on BIM adaptation in the industry.
2,650 Euro
Special reports
European Sustainability Report 2024
2024 51 pages
This report provides in-depth insights based on triangulation of key market information and data as well as data from USP Marketing Consultancy’s key monitors that are carried out year in, year out. The focus of this report is on the most important stakeholders within the construction industry, namely architects, contractors, electrical and HVAC installers within The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Poland, France, Italy, and Spain.
3,950 Euro