ATLANTA, Feb. 1, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Sixteen percent of utilities Chartwell surveyed in 2005 said that home warranty products were the most profitable of all the products and services they offer residential customers. However, a number of other utilities -- 8% of those surveyed -- have had warranty products fail or been discontinued, according to Chartwell's latest report, "Warranty and Repair Services: HVAC, Appliances, Electrical Systems, and Gas and Water Lines".
The 54-page report provides detailed information on successful and profitable programs -- from the business case to target marketing, billing, setting up the contractor network, using third-party administrators and more. It includes six in-depth case studies on utilities such as FirstEnergy, Alliant Energy, Cobb EMC and more.
The report also provides data from Chartwell's annual surveys of utilities regarding their products and services. For example, the data shows that 14% of utilities currently offer an HVAC/appliance warranty program with another 9% considering launching such a product, while 4% offer warranties on electrical, gas, water or sewer lines with another 5% planning or considering this product.
"Warranty and Repair Services: HVAC, Appliances, Electrical Systems, and Gas and Water Lines," which is available as a stand-alone product from Chartwell for $495, is part of The Chartwell Utility Marketing Research Series, which focuses on products, services and customer relations issues such as marketing, promotions and public communications.
The Research Series is a 12-month membership that includes a data summary and accompanying database based on Chartwell's extensive annual utility survey; regular in-depth reports and case studies covering specific products/services or marketing-related issues; one-on-one consultation with Chartwell research staff on topics covered; profiles of vendors poised to help utilities in this arena and more.
For information on membership in The Chartwell Utility Marketing Research Series or the individual report, "Warranty and Repair Services: HVAC, Appliances, Electrical Systems, and Gas and Water Lines," contact Bill Grist at (800) 432-5879, (404) 237-9099 or bgrist@chartwellinc.com; or visit www.chartwellinc.com or Chartwell's Energy Library at www.energylibrary.com.
About Chartwell Inc.
Chartwell Inc. seeks to provide a better understanding of technologies, issues and management practices in the utility and retail energy services industry through best-practices case studies and quantitative research.