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Impact of time-saving technology on household electricity consumption: An automatic vacuum cleaner distribution experiment in Japan

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  • Mizobuchi, Kenichi
  • Hiroaki, Yamagami

Abstract

Time-saving technologies can raise people's standard of living by increasing their amount of disposable time. However, this may lead t the time-use rebound effect (TRE), wherein people reallocate their regained free time into actions that could affect energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In this empirical study, we used a causal inference framework to test whether TRE occurs by conducting a distribution experiment of time-saving goods. We obtained data from a questionnaire about the daily time use of the households in our experiment. Our results showed that the random assignment of time-saving goods leads to a time reallocation of household behaviour. These goods increased electricity use, although their magnitude is relatively small at 1.83% of household electricity consumption.

Suggested Citation

  • Mizobuchi, Kenichi & Hiroaki, Yamagami, 2024. "Impact of time-saving technology on household electricity consumption: An automatic vacuum cleaner distribution experiment in Japan," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 223(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:223:y:2024:i:c:s0921800924001289
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2024.108231
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Automatic vacuum cleaners; Household behaviour; Time-saving goods; Time-use rebound effect; Energy use; Causal inference;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance
    • E21 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Consumption; Saving; Wealth
    • P18 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies - - - Energy; Environment

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