Energy-Efficient Real Estate or How It Is Perceived by Potential Homebuyers in Four Latin American Countries

Felipe Encinas, Carlos Marmolejo-Duarte, Elizabeth Wagemann and Carlos Aguirre
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Felipe Encinas: Escuela de Arquitectura, Facultad de Arquitectura, Diseño y Estudios Urbanos, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, El Comendador 1916, 7520245 Providencia, Santiago, Chile
Carlos Marmolejo-Duarte: Centre de Política de Sòl i Valoracions (CPSV), Barcelona’s School of Architecture (ETSAB), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Av. Diagonal 649, 4ta (Arq. Legal), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
Elizabeth Wagemann: Escuela de Arquitectura, Facultad de Humanidades, Universidad Mayor, Portugal 351, 8330231 Santiago, Chile
Carlos Aguirre: Escuela de Construcción, Facultad de Arquitectura, Diseño y Construcción, Universidad de las Américas, Av. Manuel Montt 948, 7500972 Providencia, Santiago, Chile

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 13, 1-24

Abstract: This article analyses how energy efficiency regulatory frameworks have been developed in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Chile, within a context of developing countries, and it discusses if this context has been able to influence a culture of buildings’ energy efficiency in consumers. An online survey was applied to consumers who wanted to buy a house, aiming to understand their position regarding sustainability, and the role of the state versus the individual role, among other issues. The aim of the study is to identify consumer’s perception of energy efficiency and sustainability to promote a future research agenda in the Latin American context. In general, consumers value sustainability, except when they are presented in opposition to economic growth and social protection. However, it is possible to identify differences between Chile, with an established neoliberal economy, and countries that have economies in transition. Indeed, Argentina and Brazil show differences in terms of the role of the State, or the thermal comfort, which is considered a matter of habits rather than a mere technological problem. For driving more sustainable behaviours, consumers should be engaged in the implementation of these standards, creating a twofold process including homebuyers on one hand and mandatory requirements on the other.

Keywords: real estate market; energy efficiency labelling; energy regulation; energy efficiency; consumer’s perception (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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