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How Effective is Energy-efficient Housing?: Evidence From a Field Experiment in Mexico

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  • Davis, Lucas
  • Martinez, Sebastian
  • Taboada, Bibiana

Abstract

This paper evaluates a field experiment in Mexico in which a quasi-experimental sample of new homes was provided with insulation and other energy efficient upgrades. A novel feature of our study is that we deploy large numbers of data loggers which allow us to measure temperature and humidity at high frequency inside homes. We find that the upgrades had no detectable impact on electricity use or thermal comfort, and this is true both in summer and non-summer months. These results stand in contrast to the engineering estimates that predicted up to a 26% decrease in electricity use. Part of the explanation is that air conditioner ownership is lower than expected, thus reducing the potential for reductions in energy use. In addition, we document that most households have their windows open on hot days, nullifying the thermal benefits of roof and wall insulation.

Suggested Citation

  • Davis, Lucas & Martinez, Sebastian & Taboada, Bibiana, 2018. "How Effective is Energy-efficient Housing?: Evidence From a Field Experiment in Mexico," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 8767, Inter-American Development Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:idb:brikps:8767
    DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18235/0000989
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    Cited by:

    1. Naeher,Dominik & Narayanan,Raghavan & Ziulu,Virginia, 2021. "Impacts of Energy Efficiency Projects in Developing Countries : Evidence from a SpatialDifference-in-Differences Analysis in Malawi," Policy Research Working Paper Series 9842, The World Bank.
    2. Miriam Berretta & Joshua Furgeson & Collins Zamawe & Ian Hamilton & Yue Wu & Paul J. Ferraro & Neal Haddaway & John Eyers, 2021. "PROTOCOL: Residential energy efficiency interventions: An effectiveness systematic review," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 17(4), December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Energy Efficiency; Energy Demand; Thermal Comfort; Air Conditioning;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H23 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Externalities; Redistributive Effects; Environmental Taxes and Subsidies
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming
    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • Q40 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - General

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