Towards understanding the role of price in residential electricity choices: Evidence from a natural experiment

B-Tier
Journal: Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization
Year: 2014
Volume: 107
Issue: PA
Pages: 191-208

Authors (3)

Jessoe, Katrina (not in RePEc) Rapson, David (University of California-Davis) Smith, Jeremy B. (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

0.670 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

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

Abstract

We examine a choice setting in which residential electricity consumers may respond to non-financial incentives in addition to prices. Using data from a natural field experiment that exposed some households to a change in their electricity rates, we find that households reduced electricity usage in response to a contemporaneous decrease in electricity prices. This provides clear evidence that other factors – potentially encompassing non-monetary and dynamic considerations – can influence consumer choice, and even dominate the static price response in some cases. A comprehensive understanding of household behavior in energy markets is essential for the effective implementation of market-based energy and environmental policies. The documentation of our result and others like it is a necessary step in achieving such an understanding.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:jeborg:v:107:y:2014:i:pa:p:191-208
Journal Field
Theory
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-29