Knowledge Is (Less) Power: Experimental Evidence from Residential Energy Use

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2014
Volume: 104
Issue: 4
Pages: 1417-38

Authors (2)

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

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

Abstract

Imperfect information about product attributes inhibits efficiency in many choice settings, but can be overcome by providing simple, lowcost information. We use a randomized control trial to test the effect of high-frequency information about residential electricity usage on the price elasticity of demand. Informed households are three standard deviations more responsive to temporary price increases, an effect that is not attributable to price salience. Conservation extends beyond pricing events in the short and medium run, providing evidence of habit formation and implying that the intervention leads to greenhouse gas abatement. Survey evidence suggests that information facilitates learning.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:104:y:2014:i:4:p:1417-38
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-29