Improved prices and communications saw the biggest gains to improve customer satisfaction in 2017, the study found. The J.D. Power Electric Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study also notes the utility industry implements customer satisfaction improvements at a slower rate than other industries, however.
What Works
A white paper by former California Public Utilities Commissioner Timothy Alan Simon found customers have experienced some improvements. These include cost savings due to record-low natural gas prices, more energy efficient appliances and buildings, declining energy usage and a population shift to the south.
Simon’s white paper also examined customer satisfaction, citing an Accenture Global Consumer Trends Survey that found more than half of customers switched businesses or brands in 2013 because of poor customer service. More than 80 percent of those who switched said their former service provider could have done something to retain their business.
While the J.D. Power study showed an overall increase, the American Customer Satisfaction Index has shown slow improvement. However, more gains and losses than an overall year-over-year gain. The ACSI also shows that reliable service, information, corporate citizenship and courtesy toward customers are among the top customer experience benchmarks.
Earlier studies have shown that homeowners want information and choice – and when a utility offers residents programs or services in which they can chose to participate, their satisfaction increases. In addition, they want more communication from their utilities, the study showed.
Tips to Improve Customer Satisfaction
So how can utilities provide more choice and communication, thereby enhancing their customer satisfaction? A partnership with HomeServe USA enables utilities to offer their residents valuable repair plans for electric service line, water heaters and other home systems.
One in three homeowners don’t have even $500 set aside for an emergency home repair, according to HomeServe USA’s State of the Home survey. HomeServe can provide protection to residents who aren’t prepared for an emergency repair and increase customer satisfaction at the same time – at no cost to our partners.
HomeServe USA has an award-winning customer service team. Putting the customer first is how HomeServe does business.
A partnership with HomeServe brings your residents emergency home repair plans that deliver best-in-class service from rigorously vetted local contractors.
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