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Does Retrofitted Insulation Reduce Household Energy Use? Theory and Practice

Abstract:
We analyze the household energy use impacts of a large-scale, universally available, subsidized retrofit insulation and clean heat scheme. Theory shows that the energy-saving effects of such schemes are ambiguous. Our difference-in-difference model of energy impacts resulting from each of insulation and clean heat treatment uses a sample of more than 12,000 treated houses. Retrofitted insulation treatment under the Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart program resulted in a statistically significant reduction in metered household energy consumption of almost 2%. Clean heat (heat pump) treatment resulted in increased electricity use but little change in total metered energy use other than at warmer temperatures, when heat pumps may have been used as air conditioners. Actual energy savings from insulation are approximately one-third of the modeled energy savings predicted by an engineering model. Keywords: Energy efficiency, Heat pump, Retrofitted insulation, Take-back effect

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Energy Specializations: Natural Gas – Markets and Prices; Electricity – Markets and Prices ; Energy Investment and Finance – Public and Private Risks, Risk Management; Energy and the Economy –Economic Growth and Energy Demand; Energy Efficiency – Residential and Commercial Buildings; Energy Efficiency

JEL Codes: Q40: Energy: General, Q41: Energy: Demand and Supply; Prices

Keywords: Energy efficiency, Heat pump, Retrofitted insulation, Take-back effect

DOI: 10.5547/01956574.37.4.agri

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Published in Volume 37, Number 4 of the bi-monthly journal of the IAEE's Energy Economics Education Foundation.

 

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