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Framing energy-efficiency programs: A survey experiment

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  • Chen, Catherine

Abstract

In the U.S., many low- and moderate-income households live in energy-inefficient homes and are burdened by energy bills. Although energy-efficiency home improvement programs are long-term solutions for home energy problems, the take-up of income-eligible energy-efficiency programs can be low. This study investigates how information framing affects low- and moderate-income individuals' willingness to participate in energy-efficiency programs in the U.S. as informed by prospect theory and regulatory focus theory. The author used a survey experiment to test how framing free energy-efficiency programs as helping homeowners avoid monetary losses versus framing programs as providing energy savings affects respondents' interest in program participation. Results from a national sample of homeowners pre-stratified by income (N = 1590) suggest that gain-framed messages are more effective in encouraging take-up willingness among moderate-income homeowners than loss-framed messages. At the same time, framing's effect on take-up willingness is statistically insignificant among low-income homeowners. Stress about paying energy bills also predicts willingness to take up energy-efficiency programs with statistical significance. This study contributes to helping policymakers customize information about energy-efficiency programs with different framings for individuals across the income strata.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen, Catherine, 2023. "Framing energy-efficiency programs: A survey experiment," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:183:y:2023:i:c:s0301421523003610
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2023.113776
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    2. Chlond, Bettina & Goeschl, Timo & Kesternich, Martin & Werthschulte, Madeline, 2024. "Transporting behavioral insights to low-income households: A field experiment on energy efficiency investments," Working Papers 0755, University of Heidelberg, Department of Economics.
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