Meta-analysis on the efficacy of behavioral, information and economic interventions in increasing energy-efficiency adoption among households

Tarun M. Khanna, Diana Danilenko, Lukas Tomberg, Sven Hansteen, Mark Andreas Andor, Paul Lohmann and Jan C. Minx

No 1141, Ruhr Economic Papers from RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen

Abstract: Energy efficiency is often cited as a critical component of mitigation pathways that avoid the worst effects of climate change but suffers from chronic underinvestment. This paper evaluates the efficacy of a range of voluntary approaches-monetary incentives, information and behavioral interventions-on the willingness of households to pay for energy efficient appliances, the market share of efficient appliances, and the subsequent savings in energy consumption to understand which interventions work, under what conditions, and why. We find that information provision, labeling, rebates and subsidies increase willingness to pay for efficient appliances moderately, while loans are ineffective. The effects of such interventions on market shares and associated rebound effects on energy consumption of purchase of energy-efficient appliances remain unclear given the limited evidence. Closing this should be a priority to facilitate better understanding of the role of such interventions in climate and energy policy. Real-world effects are also likely to be smaller than those reported due to study design limitations and potential reporting biases. Overall, the existing evidence does not strongly support the effectiveness of these interventions in achieving large-scale energy efficiency improvements required for decarbonization.

Keywords: Energy efficiency; meta-analysis; energy conservation; behavioral interventions; economic incentives; policy instruments (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D11 D83 Q48 Q58 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:zbw:rwirep:315481

DOI: 10.4419/96973323

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