Article

Attitudes assessed

For the last several years, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has had Harris Interactive Inc. conduct an annual survey of consumers and builders in propane ZIP codes across the United States.

Consumers surveyed were planning to buy, build or renovate a home, or replace appliances in their current homes. They are called “future decision makers” (FDM). Construction professionals surveyed were building in areas where natural gas is not available. Most of the results are positive for propane, which speaks well of the efforts of the propane industry and the support that PERC provides. Look for the full results of the survey to be released soon.

Let’s look at some of the highlights of the study regarding FDMs.

• Familiarity of propane across the country remains high.
• The strength of propane as a “good value” has increased.
• The perceived performance (warmth of heat) from a propane furnace jumped.
• Propane cooktop control continues to be a strong point.
• Overall ease of use of propane appliances is a key leverage point.
• Significant increase in shopping for and purchasing new appliances.
• Tankless water heaters are becoming a lead item for purchase consideration.
• Integrating environmentally friendly energy into a home increased in importance.

Not unexpectedly, geothermal systems continue to make considerable gains in awareness and favorability among FDMs. The high cost of geothermal systems and installation difficulty in retrofit situations remain as barriers to more widespread use.

For more details on geothermal versus propane heating systems, go to www.buildwithpropane.com and study the interactive map on the home page. For the complete study, go to Resources on the Web site and find the Comparative Heating Systems Study.

Construction professionals surveyed included builders, remodelers, HVAC/plumbing contractors and, for the first time, commercial builders. There was good news from construction professionals too.

• There is broad familiarity with propane across the country.
• Versatility of propane applications of great strategic importance.
• Propane is increasingly perceived as cost-effective to install and clean burning.
• There is an increased number of tankless water heater installations
• Installation costs of propane appliances are less of a barrier.
• Construction professionals’ consideration of propane as an energy source for all appliances trended upward.
• Construction professional loyalty to propane is high.
• Green building is playing a greater role in construction professionals’ building decisions.

On the other hand, the survey points out that construction professionals continue to have very little communication with propane marketers and even fewer formal business relationships. Less than one-third reported talking to their local propane marketers at least once every six months, and half reported that it was less than once a year, if at all.

It has always baffled me why more propane marketers aren’t developing business relationships with builders. Construction professionals are looking for more information about federal, state and local tax credits and other incentives. They want to know how propane and related equipment can fit into affordable green-building plans.

Builders want affordable, efficient energy solutions, and propane can meet those needs. When are you going to start talking with builders?