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One thing leads to another: Evidence on the scope and persistence of behavioral spillovers

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  • Goetz, Alexander
  • Mayr, Harald
  • Schubert, Renate

Abstract

Evaluations of economic interventions usually focus on one target behavior. This study extends the evaluation scope to multiple untargeted behaviors. We evaluate a hot water saving intervention in a natural field experiment. Despite an exclusive focus on hot water, the intervention changes multiple behaviors. Notably, we find a 5.6 percent reduction in room heating energy consumption that persists one year after the intervention. We show that the room heating spillover has important welfare implications.

Suggested Citation

  • Goetz, Alexander & Mayr, Harald & Schubert, Renate, 2024. "One thing leads to another: Evidence on the scope and persistence of behavioral spillovers," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 236(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:pubeco:v:236:y:2024:i:c:s0047272724001026
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2024.105166
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    Cited by:

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Behavioral spillover; Randomized controlled trial; Water consumption; Energy consumption; Welfare;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • Q50 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - General

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