Energy efficiency, information, and the acceptability of rent increases: A survey experiment with tenants

A-Tier
Journal: Energy Economics
Year: 2021
Volume: 95
Issue: C

Authors (2)

Lang, Ghislaine (not in RePEc) Lanz, Bruno (Université de Neuchâtel)

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This paper studies the role of imperfect information and attentional biases in the context of energy efficiency investments in rented properties and associated split incentives. We design a multiple price list experiment representing owners' decision to replace the central heating appliance, and employ both within-subject information disclosure and between-subject variation in information provision to quantify how tenants trade off energy efficiency and rent increases. Results show that informing tenants of a CHF 1 decrease in energy bills leads to CHF 1.12 in acceptable rent increase on average. Quantile regressions further indicate that the average treatment effect of information reflects heterogeneous changes along the entire distribution of acceptable rent increases. By contrast, information on energy bills variability dampens acceptable rent increase, and information about CO2 tax payments has no incremental impact on choices. Our results highlight the importance of credible ex-ante estimates of financial savings associated with energy efficiency investments.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:eneeco:v:95:y:2021:i:c:s0140988320303479
Journal Field
Energy
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25