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Smart Thermostats, Automation, and Time-Varying Prices

Author

Listed:
  • Joshua Blonz
  • Karen Palmer
  • Casey J. Wichman
  • Derek C. Wietelman

Abstract

Can automation complement economic incentives? We explore this question by randomly encouraging households to activate a feature on their existing smart thermostat that automates responsiveness to time-of-use electricity pricing. The feature reduces air conditioning use during the highest-priced afternoon period, raising indoor temperatures above a household's preferred temperature, primarily for customers who are typically home during the day. Customers infrequently override the feature when they experience discomfort, suggesting that they are willing to trade off monetary savings for small increases in discomfort. Automation thus enables low-cost changes in household energy use, with potentially large electricity supply-cost reductions at scale.

Suggested Citation

  • Joshua Blonz & Karen Palmer & Casey J. Wichman & Derek C. Wietelman, 2025. "Smart Thermostats, Automation, and Time-Varying Prices," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 17(1), pages 90-125, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejapp:v:17:y:2025:i:1:p:90-125
    DOI: 10.1257/app.20210618
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    Cited by:

    1. Fu, Zheng & Novan, Kevin & Smith, Aaron, 2024. "Do time-of-use prices deliver energy savings at the right time?," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    2. Rigaux, Baptiste & Hamels, Sam & Ovaere, Marten, 2025. "The proof of the pudding is in the heating: A field experiment on household engagement with heat pump flexibility," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    3. Marten Ovaere & Mark Vergouwen, 2025. "Mind the Peak: The Role of Peak Demand Charges and Real-Time Pricing in Residential Electricity Flexibility," Working Papers of Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Ghent University, Belgium 25/1115, Ghent University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration.
    4. Jacobsen, Grant D., 2025. "Who adopts and deploys advanced home energy technologies?," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • L94 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Electric Utilities
    • L98 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Government Policy
    • Q48 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Government Policy

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