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Determinants of household energy efficiency investment: analysis of refrigerator purchasing behavior

Author

Listed:
  • Jiaxing Wang

    (Aoyama Gakuin University)

  • Makoto Sugino

    (Yamagata University)

  • Shigeru Matsumoto

    (Aoyama Gakuin University)

Abstract

Previous studies have reported that households tend to not choose an energy-efficient appliance even if appropriate energy-saving information is provided. To identify the determinants of energy efficiency investment, we conducted a household survey in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Specifically, we collect product model information for the refrigerator that a household owns and calculate the yearly loss incurred from choosing a less efficient model. We then identify socioeconomic characteristics of households that are associated with these yearly losses. We find that wealthy households with many family members tend to purchase inefficient models. We also find that a house-renter with a high income is more likely to purchase an energy-inefficient model. A program targeted at such households could be effective for increasing energy savings in the residential sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiaxing Wang & Makoto Sugino & Shigeru Matsumoto, 2019. "Determinants of household energy efficiency investment: analysis of refrigerator purchasing behavior," International Journal of Economic Policy Studies, Springer, vol. 13(2), pages 389-402, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ijoeps:v:13:y:2019:i:2:d:10.1007_s42495-019-00014-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s42495-019-00014-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jiaxing Wang & Shigeru Matsumoto, 2022. "An economic model of home appliance replacement: application to refrigerator replacement among Japanese households," Environmental Economics and Policy Studies, Springer;Society for Environmental Economics and Policy Studies - SEEPS, vol. 24(1), pages 29-48, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Energy efficiency; Household; Micro data; Refrigerator;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H31 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Household
    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • Q48 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Government Policy

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