England needs to upgrade nearly 12.8 million homes from an EPC rating of D or below up to C to meet its Net Zero by 2050 goal. That works out to almost one home every minute, or 57 homes each hour, needing better insulation, double or triple glazing, and draught proofing . This creates a huge chance for window and door businesses.
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Key Findings from the Eurocell Study
• 12,778,637 homes in England have EPC ratings of D or lower and need upgrades to reach C .
• By 2030, all private rental properties must meet at least EPC C, affecting over 4.6 million private rental homes and 4 million social housing units .
• 56 % of homes in England currently score below average for energy efficiency (D or below), so more than half the market is ready for glazing and draught-proofing work .
• One in three adults say cost stops them from making energy upgrades, showing that price and financing are key barriers .
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1. Sales Strategies
• Target High-Need Regions: Focus sales calls and door-to-door leaflets in Birmingham, Leeds, and Cornwall—these areas have the most homes rated D or below .
• Offer Simple Finance Plans: Help homeowners spread the cost of new double or triple glazing with low-interest or zero-deposit plans. This tackles cost concerns head-on.
• Highlight Fast Returns: Use clear examples: “Upgrade your windows to EPC C and save up to £200 on heating per year.” Real numbers make your pitch stronger.
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2. Marketing Tactics
• Lead with a Strong Message: Use headlines like “One Home Upgrades Every Minute—Is Yours Next?” to show urgency and scale.
• Use Before-and-After Images: Show a draughty window next to a well-sealed one. Visual proof helps people remember your brand.
• Promote Rental Compliance: Send email campaigns to landlords: “Avoid fines—meet EPC C by 2030 with our fast retrofit solutions.” Landlords must comply, so they have clear motivation.
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3. Branding Ideas
• Adopt a Net Zero Promise: Include a tagline such as “Helping Homes Reach EPC C” next to your logo. This links your brand to the national goal.
• Showcase Local Success: Share short stories from nearby councils (WMCA or Greater Manchester) that fund home upgrades. “We worked with West Midlands on 2,000 window installs”—this builds trust.
• Partner for Visibility: Team up with local energy-efficiency grants or retrofit schemes. Being listed as a trusted installer raises your profile.
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By using these insights from the Eurocell research, window and door companies can focus on the homes most in need, offer affordable solutions, and build a brand that stands for real energy savings. This approach will help you sell more, market smarter, and strengthen your reputation in the race to Net Zero.