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The impact of real-time energy consumption feedback on residential gas and electricity usage

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  • Boomsma, Mirthe
  • Vringer, Kees
  • Soest, Daan van

Abstract

We implemented a Randomized Controlled Trial to estimate the impact of real-time energy consumption feedback on residential energy use. A random half of the participant households were offered an energy consumption monitor that uses smart-meter data to relay real-time information on energy use. The feedback resulted in natural gas and electricity savings of, respectively, 6.9 and 2.2 percent; the total amount of energy consumed was reduced by 5.8 percent. We probe the underlying mechanisms by means of a survey and find suggestive evidence that the display’s main impact is via raising the salience of the costs of using energy.

Suggested Citation

  • Boomsma, Mirthe & Vringer, Kees & Soest, Daan van, 2025. "The impact of real-time energy consumption feedback on residential gas and electricity usage," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeeman:v:132:y:2025:i:c:s0095069625000476
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jeem.2025.103163
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    JEL classification:

    • Q41 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Demand and Supply; Prices
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy
    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness

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