Net zero heating and energy efficiency standards - phase 1 and 2: qualitative research

3. Methodology

The research was conducted in two phases. This report outlines the results of both phase one and phase two.

3.1. Recruitment

The methodology was developed to collect qualitative data on participants' perspectives on the prospective legislation. Ten 90-minute focus groups were held between 28 June and 6 July 2022 in the first phase of the research and a further ten were held between 14 and 22 September 2022 in the second phase. In each phase, three focus groups were held in Glasgow, two in Edinburgh and five were held remotely through Teams. All twenty focus groups involved semi-structured discussions and were moderated by a Taylor McKenzie researcher. Each focus group consisted of between four and seven homeowners (typically six) from different demographic, geographic and house type categories:

• geographic location (urban, suburban, rural small town or village, remote rural)
• participants from a range of housing types (detached house, semi-detached, bungalow, tenement etc)
• participants from a range of ages of buildings including at least one property less than 10 years old and one 100 years or older
• age grouping: 18-45, 45-75, 18-75
• socio-economic status: ABC1, C2DE
• ethnic minority participants
• financially vulnerable participants
• participants with different accessibility needs
• properties that are off the gas grid

These participant categories helped secure representation from key types of owner-occupier households in Scotland. An effort was made in both phases to ensure that the more vulnerable categories of homeowners – for example, those likely to be disproportionally affected due to disability, economic status and age – were well-represented. It was also important to represent homeowners who may face unique challenges in improving energy efficiency, such as those living in multi-occupancy, older and listed buildings. During phase one, one of the groups focussed on landlords rather than owner-occupiers whereas in phase two, two groups focussed on first-time buyers, new buyers (those who bought a property in the last two years) and prospective buyers.

The composition of each focus group for both phases is included in Appendix C and D.

3.2. Data collection

The focus group content and discussion guides were developed by Energy Saving Trust and Taylor McKenzie in consultation with the Scottish Government. The discussion guides for phase one and phase two covered the following topics collectively:

• Participants' understanding and attitudes towards net zero.
• Participants' understanding and views on the journey they can take to prepare their homes to become energy efficient and switch to a zero-emissions heating system in the future.
• Participants' feedback on three scenarios where regulations could be brought in:
  • change of occupancy^[2]
  • backstop dates^[3]
  • boiler breakdown^[4]

  For each scenario, feedback was sought on the following:

  • participants' views on the scenario
  • the scenario's overall fairness
  • ways in which the scenario might impact different people
  • support needed to help meet the regulations
  • the barriers and challenges hindering the implementation of the proposed
• Participants' reaction and opinions on the different potential phasing approaches to implement the proposed regulations.
• Participants' suggestions on the support required to meet the proposed regulations.

Participants were encouraged to remain open to different ideas and allow their stances to fluctuate throughout the discussions. Their comments were not treated as 'right' or 'wrong' (other than the moderator offering technical corrections) but received neutrally by the research team. The focus of the discussion (and moderation) was overwhelmingly geared towards encouraging participants' free critique of the scenarios. This involved encouraging any disagreement or agreement with scenarios and with others in the room, followed by heavy stress on constructive feedback.

Copies of the discussion guides used in phases one and two are included in Appendix A and B.

3.2.1. Data capture and analysis

For both phase one and phase two, after the completion of focus groups, the following steps were taken to analyse the information collated:

• A transcription of each focus group was produced.
• Each moderator (there were three moderators in total) read through the transcripts of their own sessions to remind themselves of all the relevant discussions and compiled a list of the emerging themes.
• A data merger session was held between the three moderators and the Energy Saving Trust team to identify any similarities and differences in themes across the groups and between different types of participants. This allowed a list of the main themes resulting from the discussions to be compiled.
• The transcripts were reviewed again using the main themes as a framework for analysis to ensure all information was captured within the themes and to identify useful quotes for illustration of the themes.