Consumer Behavior

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There is a widespread belief that consumers make poor decisions about energy use and investments. This belief forms the basis for many of the energy policies that we experience today, for example energy efficiency and building standards. Economists are increasingly committed to understanding how consumers make decisions, determining when claims of behavioral bias are accurate, and identifying obstacles to optimal decision-making. Research in this track includes analysis of large micro-level datasets of consumer choices with the goal of understanding how to improve energy policy.

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Utilities Included: Split Incentives in Commercial Electricity Contracts
DEEP WP-015
​Authors: Katrina Jessoe, Maya Papineau, and David Rapson

Residential Building Codes Do Save Energy: Evidence From Hourly Smart-Meter Data​
DEEP WP-013
​Authors: Kevin Novan, Aaron Smith, and Tianxia Zhao

​Utilization and Customer Behavior: Smart Choices for the Smart Grid
DEEP WP-004
​Authors: Katrina Jessoe, Davis Rapson and Jeremy B. Smith