NORWALK, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Home repairs and maintenance are tremendous expenses of homeownership, yet many homeowners are unprepared to handle the costs. Twenty-five percent of American homeowners have no money set aside to cover the cost of an emergency home repair, according to the inaugural HomeServe Biannual State of the Home survey from HomeServe USA (HomeServe), a leading provider of home repair solutions and turnkey energy-related services. Of those who do have money set aside, 52 percent have $1,000 or less available.
This is the first edition of the HomeServe Biannual State of the Home, a new biannual report on the financial impact of home repairs and energy use facing American homeowners. The poll was conducted online by Harris Poll on behalf of HomeServe in July 2015, among over 1,200 U.S. homeowners ages 18 and older.
Homeowners’ lack of emergency funds is concerning because over the past 12 months nearly half (48 percent) of American homeowners reported a home emergency. The most common home emergency was a faulty heating or air conditioning system, with a fifth (20 percent) needing to repair or replace one of these systems, followed by plumbing issues including blocked or overflowing toilets or sinks (13 percent and 10 percent, respectively).
Other household emergencies reported by American homeowners over the past twelve months include leaking water pipes (9 percent); a faulty electrical circuit, switch or outlet (9 percent); and issues with a water heater that required a repair or a replacement (8 percent).
“Many homeowners make the mistake of not factoring the cost of home repairs and maintenance into their budgets,” said Tom Rusin, CEO of HomeServe USA. “If they don’t take steps to proactively protect themselves, unexpected repairs can wind up putting a major strain on homeowners’ finances.”
Another costly expense of home ownership is monthly utility bills, which can add up, particularly during the summer and winter seasons. Though it varies greatly by state, the average cost of monthly home energy bills across electricity, natural gas and home heating oil in 2015 is $174.78, according to data from WalletHub. Looking forward, HomeServe’s survey found that 46 percent of American homeowners expect their home energy costs to stay the same, while 40 percent expect it to increase in the next 12 months. Only 9 percent expect to see their energy bills dip in the next year.
With most homeowners expecting home energy costs to remain flat or rise, many are seeking ways to make their homes more energy efficient – conserving energy and lowering their bills. As noted earlier, 20% of homeowners needed to repair or replace their heating or air conditioning system - these homeowners likely got the benefit of improved efficiency with equipment upgrades. The survey found that seventy-one percent of American homeowners are planning to take proactive steps to make their home more energy efficient in the next 12 months. The most common steps homeowners plan to take are regularly changing filters in the central HVAC unit (47 percent), adjusting the thermostat a few degrees warmer in the summer or cooler in the winter (42 percent) and replacing CFL light bulbs with LED light bulbs (35 percent). Homeowners also plan to utilize technology, solar power and professional assistance to improve their home’s energy profile by upgrading to a smart thermostat (9 percent), installing solar panels (5 percent), and getting a professional energy audit (4 percent).
“American homeowners are becoming increasingly conscientious about energy usage as they recognize the benefit to their wallets,” said Rusin. “We expect to see an increase in demand for easy and inexpensive solutions to help homeowners assess their usage, adjust their equipment and save on energy costs.”
For more information on affordable repair plans and energy solutions available from HomeServe, visit www.HomeServeUSA.com or contact HomeServe toll-free at 1-877-444-7750.
Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of HomeServe USA from July 17-21, 2015 among 2,024 adults ages 18 and older (among whom 1,248 are homeowners). This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact hsusa@icrinc.com.
About The Harris Poll
Over the last 5 decades, Harris Polls have become media staples. With comprehensive experience and precise technique in public opinion polling, along with a proven track record of uncovering consumers’ motivations and behaviors, The Harris Poll has gained strong brand recognition around the world. The Harris Poll offers a diverse portfolio of proprietary client solutions to transform relevant insights into actionable foresight for a wide range of industries including health care, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer packaged goods. Contact us for more information.
About HomeServe
HomeServe USA Corp (HomeServe) is an independent provider of home emergency repair service plans. For over a decade, the company has protected homeowners against the expense and inconvenience of water, sewer, electrical, HVAC and other home emergencies by providing affordable coverage and quality service. HomeServe, a Better Business Bureau Accredited Business, serves over 2 million homeowners in the US and Canada and dedicates itself to being a customer-focused company providing best-in-class emergency repair plans through leading utility partners and directly to consumers. For more information about HomeServe, a Connecticut Top Workplace winner for 2014 and winner of five 2015 Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service, please go to www.homeserveusa.com, follow us on www.twitter.com/homeserveusa and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/homeserveusa
