Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/145778 
Year of Publication: 
2016
Series/Report no.: 
Beiträge zur Jahrestagung des Vereins für Socialpolitik 2016: Demographischer Wandel - Session: Experiments No. F05-V2
Publisher: 
ZBW - Deutsche Zentralbibliothek für Wirtschaftswissenschaften, Leibniz-Informationszentrum Wirtschaft, Kiel und Hamburg
Abstract: 
Energy labels have been introduced in many countries to make consumers more attentive to energy use in purchase decisions of durables. Despite their wide application, however, little is known about the effects of specific label designs. In this paper, we explore how energy labels can help to address inattention of consumers to energy efficiency. Our analysis is based on a (randomized controlled) discrete choice experiment among about 5,000 households in which we implement treatments that vary the label design. We find that supplementing the label with annual cost information increases attention to operating cost and promotes the choice of durables with higher energy efficiency. Moreover, simplifying the label has similar positive effects, most notably for individuals with low education. Finally, we show that a substantial share of individuals employ decision heuristics, focusing primarily on efficiency classes while neglecting more detailed information on energy consumption.
JEL: 
D12
D83
Q48
Document Type: 
Conference Paper

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