A Top-Down Economic Efficiency Analysis of U.S. HouseholdEnergy Consumption

Abstract

Energy efficiency and related demand management policies help mitigate the impacts of climate change by reducing the use of fossil fuels and reducing the energy sector's vulnerabilities to climate change impacts. Over the past forty years, federal and state-level energy efficiency policies (or standards) have been applied to household appliances, the corporate average fuel economy, electric demand-side management programs, weatherization assistance, and building codes. The U.S. residential housing sector accounts for approximately 21% of total primary energy consumption and 20% of domestic carbon dioxide emissions. Building construction codes and standards regulate the energy efficiency of newly constructed homes or commercial buildings and the energy efficiency requirements specific to renovations, major refurbishments, and the enlargement of buildings. Such codes generally provide minimum building requirements for heating and cooling systems and for any construction or renovations to the housing envelope that leads to energy savings.

Fuel Demand across UK Industrial Subsectors

“…The topic of heterogeneity has gained importance in energy economics, as testified by several contributions taking into account the impact of this factor, for example when modelling energy efficiency (Burnett and Madariaga, 2018), and the rebound effect (Frondel et al, 2012). As for estimation of energy demand, researchers have either adopted an econometric approach allowing for heterogeneity, e.g.…”