ATLANTA, April 1, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Appliance-related products and services - including financing, sales, leasing, insurance coverage or protection packages, and repair - continue to be common utility offerings, popular among consumers, and oftentimes money makers for utilities, according to Chartwell's newest report, Under One Roof: Fulfilling customers' appliance/HVAC and wiring/piping needs through service contracts, financing, sales and leasing.
The rate at which utilities offer various products and services fell off in Chartwell's 2003 survey almost across the board, so it wasn't a surprise that fewer utilities said they were offering appliance/HVAC financing, repair, sales or leasing, warranties or service contracts, and inside wiring maintenance agreements. However, Chartwell researchers have found that utilities are no less interested in offering these services than in the past. In fact, when asked on the 2003 survey what offerings they had added to their product/service mix over the past 12 months, 11% mentioned inside wiring or gas line service contracts and 11% said appliance warranty or repair services. These offerings were among the most common to have been added over the past year, according to data revealed in Under One Roof.
Chartwell researchers have found that utilities are very interested in this offering inside wiring/piping/gas line warranties and repair, but the economic climate of 2002 and 2003 put many plans on hold. As the economy improves, look for this product to surge.
The 47-page report includes not only Chartwell's proprietary survey data from 86 utilities, but also two in-depth case studies: one detailing the successful in-home electric and gas line service program of an unregulated subsidiary of Dominion Resources; and the other about Green Mountain Power's water heater leasing program that pulls in $300,000 per year in profit. In addition, Under One Roof includes profiles of nine vendors that serve the energy industry's needs in this area.
The report, which is available from Chartwell for $350, is part of The Chartwell Utility Marketing Research Series, which covers products, services, marketing issues and customer relations. The Series is an ongoing information service that provides utility case studies; topical analysis and research; and a database of utilities and the products and services they offer. Members of the Research Series have input into the direction of the research and design of the survey instrument.
For more information about the ongoing Research Series, the Report on Utility appliance and service-related products and services, or Chartwell's utility products/services database, please call Juli Collins at (800) 432-5879, or (404) 237-9099.