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Behavioral Anomalies and Energy-related Individual Choices: The Role of Status-quo Bias

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  • Julia Blasch and Claudio Daminato

Abstract

The literature on the energy-efficiency gap discusses the status-quo bias as a behavioral anomaly that potentially increases a householdýs energy consumption. We empirically investigate the extent to which the status-quo bias is linked to residential electricity consumption through two channels: non-replacement of old appliances and overuse of appliances. Using data from a large household survey conducted in three European countries, we find that our measure of status-quo bias is a significant predictor of both the age of home appliances and the level of a householdýs consumption of energy services. This is also reflected in the total electricity consumption, which is found to be around 6% higher when the household head is status-quo biased. We thus provide empirical evidence that the status-quo bias may represent a substantial barrier to increasing residential energy efficiency. Our findings prompt policy makers to design instruments that take this barrier into account.

Suggested Citation

  • Julia Blasch and Claudio Daminato, 2020. "Behavioral Anomalies and Energy-related Individual Choices: The Role of Status-quo Bias," The Energy Journal, International Association for Energy Economics, vol. 0(Number 6), pages 181-214.
  • Handle: RePEc:aen:journl:ej41-6-daminato
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    Cited by:

    1. Schleich, Joachim & Gassmann, Xavier & Meissner, Thomas & Faure, Corinne, 2023. "Making the factors underlying the implicit discount rate tangible," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    2. Schleich, Joachim & Faure, Corinne & Meissner, Thomas, 2021. "Adoption of retrofit measures among homeowners in EU countries: The effects of access to capital and debt aversion," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    3. Maic Rakitta & Jannis Wernery, 2021. "Cognitive Biases in Building Energy Decisions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-21, September.
    4. Clot, Sophie & Grolleau, Gilles & Ibanez, Lisette, 2022. "Projection bias in environmental beliefs and behavioural intentions - An application to solar panels and eco-friendly transport," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    5. Rabaa, Simon & Geisendorf, Sylvie & Wilken, Robert, 2022. "Why change does (not) happen: Understanding and overcoming status quo biases in climate change mitigation," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 45(1), pages 100-134.
    6. Kumar, Pranay & Caggiano, Holly & Shwom, Rachael & Felder, Frank A. & Andrews, Clinton J., 2023. "Saving from home! How income, efficiency, and curtailment behaviors shape energy consumption dynamics in US households?," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 271(C).

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    JEL classification:

    • F0 - International Economics - - General

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