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

Appendix B Phase 2 discussion guide

Discussion Guide – Phase 2

1. Introduction (0 - 10 mins) (10 mins)

Welcome and thank you for agreeing to participate — [moderator introduction, housekeeping: WC, fire alarm and finishing time].

As we explained in the pre-task information, we are working with the Energy Saving Trust to undertake some research for the Scottish Government on homeowners' attitudes to net zero heating and energy efficiency standards.

This stage of research with homeowners consists of two phases; the first was completed in June/July 2022, and we are currently in the second phase. This phase aims to build on and challenge some of the themes developed in the first phase while exploring some new ideas with you.

Explain teams group/viewing facility set up - recorded, confidentiality, honest feedback, no right or wrong answers – interested in your personal opinion and what's really important to you as a homeowner.

Introductions: To get the ball rolling, we would like to have a round of introductions – please can you tell me your name, the type of property you currently own and perhaps one thing you've done or thought about doing to become more 'energy efficient' at home?

2. Net Zero & The Customer Journey (10 – 20 mins) (10 mins)

Objective: To explore homeowners' understanding of net zero and their willingness to play a role in meeting Scottish Government's net zero commitments. (option: to explore where homeowners feel they are on their personal journey to net zero and how manageable/feasible this journey feels).

Net Zero

Before this session, we shared with you a brief description of the Scottish Government's aims and two videos explaining what 'net zero' means, how we can get there and information about air source heat pumps as an example of this new technology.

7. Is net zero a concept you were familiar with before watching the video?

8. How do you feel about the government's commitment to net zero and in particular the ambition to reach EPC C in all houses by 2033 and to have zero direct emissions heating installed by 2045?

9. How involved/interested would you say you are in personally helping to support these aims with things you can do in your life? (e.g. adopting new technologies like air source heat pumps)

10. How realistic does this feel to you just now?

Customer Journey

In the previous phase of research, the homeowners we spoke to highlighted the need to understand the journey they can take to prepare their homes to become energy efficient and switch to a zero-emissions heating system in the future. Based on our conversations, this is an illustration of some of the steps they felt a homeowner could follow. These are not necessarily prescriptive/in specific rigid order – they are simply a summary of what other homeowners have told us.

Introduce stimulus on page 5 of the slide deck

1. How do you feel about having a 'journey' illustration? would this be helpful to break things down into different steps or stages? Why/why not?

2. Where are you on this journey at the moment?

3. What are your views on the suggested journey steps?

• Prompt: How feasible/manageable do you think this journey is for you? What are your biggest worries /concerns? What opportunities/benefits can you see in making these changes?

3. Introducing the scenarios (20 mins – 1h 05 mins) (45 mins)

Objective: To consolidate and build on learnings from phase 1. Scenarios to be presented together before discussing individually in order to understand spontaneous appeal and relative 'fairness' of each.

In order to deliver the net zero target, the Scottish Government is considering bringing in new regulations that require homeowners to improve the energy efficiency levels of their homes and replace their gas boilers or other fossil-fuel heating systems with zero emissions heating systems like heat pumps.

As part of the process of developing the new regulations, the Scottish Government is considering lots of different options. We would like to hear your views on three of the different options that are being considered. We would like to read you all 3 scenarios first before we discuss and debate these as a group.

Introduce 3 scenarios: stimulus on pages 6, 7 & 8 (order of presentation will be rotated across groups)

1. How do you feel about the scenarios overall?

• option to ask participants to individually rank their 'best to worst' before discussing as a group
• probe understanding & relative appeal

2. Which scenario do you feel would be the fairest approach? Why?

If consensus reached in the group start with the strongest scenario and discuss in more detail (if limited agreement rotate order for concept review across groups). For each scenario:

3. What are your views on this option? Does it sound fair?

• Scenario 1 Prompt: Do you think it is right that responsibility lies with the buyer, not the seller? Why?

4. Can you think of any ways in which the impact of these regulations might be different for people in different situations? Can you give any examples?

• Prompts: elderly people, single-parent families, people living in rural areas, low-income households
• Prompts (if not mentioned earlier): In which way do you think first-time buyers are affected by this regulation?
• Prompt: Which group of people is affected (positively or negatively) the most by this regulation in your opinion?

5. What other options could you think of to make the scenario presented fairer for everyone / for those in the most vulnerable circumstances?

• Prompt: Do you think there should be any grace periods for particular groups?

6. Are there any other scenarios or ways of phasing the introduction of the requirements you think could be considered or would be a 'fairer' option? Fairer for whom, and in what way?

4. Phased implementation (1h 05 mins – 1h 25 mins) (20 mins)

Objective: To explore homeowners' attitudes to implementation – what is the fairest approach to phasing and which criteria should be considered first?

The Scottish Government need to introduce these regulations 'in a phased and fair way'. There are many different approaches they could take and there isn't a correct way of doing this. In the remainder of this session, we would like to hear your views on the 'fairest' approach and where you think is the best starting point. Before we introduce some criteria to discuss and if there are different cohorts of the population who should be prioritised…

1. What do you feel would be the 'fairest' approach to implementing these regulations? Who do you feel should be first to 'lead'/ start these changes? (capture spontaneous thoughts - then use stimulus to prompt within a sorting task) (are there significant benefits/costs to certain groups of being asked to make the transition earlier or later in the process?)

Stimulus: introduce implementation criteria p9

2. How do you feel about these broad groupings as a starting point?

3. Are there any 'groups' missing?

Sorting Task: We would now like you to sort these 5 broad groupings on our axis – 'first to last'….and probe around why they have made these decisions:

If consensus on broad category focus explore the detail within the group. E.g. if Geography is selected as the fairest then which groups within this should go first vs last?

4. Should any of these 'groups' be exempt or have special conditions attached?

5. In which category do you belong? What would be the impact of this arrangement on you personally?

6. Are there any groups of people that you feel should be supported further or exempt from these requirements? E.g. exemptions for first-time buyers

5. Wrap-up up section (1h 25 mins – 1h 30 mins) [5 mins]

2. Given everything we have discussed today, do you have any further ideas around how the Scottish Government can support /encourage people to make this transition?

3. What would be the best way to encourage you to adopt these new technologies?

(probe incentives, punitive measures, advisory?)

• Prompt: Seek initial views/feedback on the likely relevance of increased/ high financial support as the key determinant vs other factors. i.e. good to test out to what extent simply offering a high financial support intervention rate is enough to make people buy into the change required, or if this would still need to be supplemented by other significant non-financial mitigation measures.

Thank you and close