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The energy costs of historic preservation

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  • Hilber, Christian
  • Palmer, Charles
  • Pinchbeck, Edward

Abstract

We explore the impact of historical preservation policies on domestic energy consumption. Using panel data for England from 2006 to 2013 and employing a fixed effects strategy, we document that (i) rising national energy prices induce an increase in home energy efficiency installations and a corresponding reduction in energy consumption and (ii) this energy saving effect is significantly less pronounced in Conservation Areas and in places with high concentrations of Listed Buildings, where the adoption of energy efficiency installations is typically more costly and sometimes legally prevented altogether. The energy costs of preservation are substantial.

Suggested Citation

  • Hilber, Christian & Palmer, Charles & Pinchbeck, Edward, 2017. "The energy costs of historic preservation," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 139215, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:139215
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    File URL: https://researchonline.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/139215/
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • Q48 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Government Policy
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming
    • R38 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Real Estate Markets, Spatial Production Analysis, and Firm Location - - - Government Policy
    • R52 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis - - - Land Use and Other Regulations

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