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Boosting buildings energy efficiency: The impact of social norms and motivational feedback

Author

Listed:
  • Fateh Bélaïd

    (LEM - Lille économie management - UMR 9221 - UA - Université d'Artois - UCL - Université catholique de Lille - Université de Lille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Véronique Flambard

    (LEM - Lille économie management - UMR 9221 - UA - Université d'Artois - UCL - Université catholique de Lille - Université de Lille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UCL FGES - Université Catholique de Lille - Faculté de gestion, économie et sciences - ICL - Institut Catholique de Lille - UCL - Université catholique de Lille)

Abstract

As most countries strive to go carbon neutral by 2050, promoting energy efficiency in buildings is a critical step toward achieving this objective. Here, we propose an innovative lab experiment with a large sample of 306 participants to evaluate the role of informational instruments in shaping individuals' preferences for energy efficiency. To analyze the data, we use a rigorous empirical approach consisting of probit regression and propensity score matching. Our findings suggest that motivational feedback positively and significantly affects energy efficiency preference. We also find that older people are relatively less likely to prefer energy efficiency, as are those who contribute less to an environmental association and those who are more risk-taking and impatient. With lower significance, we also observe that households more confident in government policies' efficiency are more inclined to opt for energy efficiency. Additionally, our study makes a methodological contribution by demonstrating the usefulness of probit regression and propensity score matching in analyzing complex data and determining a causal relationship pertaining to energy-related behavior. Our results have important implications for policymakers and practitioners seeking to promote sustainable building practices and reduce energy consumption in the residential sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Fateh Bélaïd & Véronique Flambard, 2023. "Boosting buildings energy efficiency: The impact of social norms and motivational feedback," Post-Print hal-04272034, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04272034
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2023.09.003
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. W. Kip Viscusi, 2022. "Efficiency criteria for nudges and norms," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 191(3), pages 465-482, June.
    2. Fateh Belaïd & Christophe Rault & Camille Massié, 2022. "A life-cycle theory analysis of French household electricity demand," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 32(2), pages 501-530, April.
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    1. Belaïd, Fateh & Mikayilov, Jeyhun I., 2024. "Closing the Efficiency Gap: Insights into curbing the direct rebound effect of residential electricity consumption in Saudi Arabia," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    2. Massié, Camille & Belaïd, Fateh, 2024. "Estimating the direct rebound effect for residential electricity use in seventeen European countries: Short and long-run perspectives," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).

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