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Application of the economic theory of self-control to model energy conservation behavioral change in households

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  • Lundgren, Berndt
  • Schultzberg, Mårten

Abstract

Smart meters and in-house displays hold a promise of energy conservation for those who invest in such technology. Research has shown that households only have a limited interest in such technology and information is thus often neglected, with rather limited energy savings. Surprisingly few empirical investigations have a theoretical foundation that may explain what is going on from a behavioral perspective. In this study the economic theory of self-control is used to model energy-efficient behavior in middle-income households in Sweden. Our results show that different levels of energy-efficient behavior do not really have any impact on the actual consumption levels of electricity. Instead, different beliefs exist of being energy-efficient, but the households do not act accordingly. We recommend to policy makers that the payment time period should be changed to pre-paid electricity to stimulate the monitoring of bills and to introduce a gaming strategy to change incentives for energy conservation.

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  • Lundgren, Berndt & Schultzberg, Mårten, 2019. "Application of the economic theory of self-control to model energy conservation behavioral change in households," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 536-546.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:183:y:2019:i:c:p:536-546
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2019.05.217
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    4. Jun Bai & Shixiang Li & Nan Wang & Jianru Shi & Xianmin Li, 2020. "Spatial Spillover Effect of New Energy Development on Economic Growth in Developing Areas of China—An Empirical Test Based on the Spatial Dubin Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-17, April.
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    6. Marlene Ofelia Sanchez-Escobar & Julieta Noguez & Jose Martin Molina-Espinosa & David Escobar-Castillejos & Sergio Ruiz-Loza, 2023. "Policy Design for Electricity Efficiency: A Case Study of Bottom-Up Energy Modeling in the Residential Sector and Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-39, September.

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