Research summary
Energy conservation programs have become a cornerstone of climate mitigation efforts worldwide, with billions of dollars invested in them each year. But they are often designed with little evidence that they improve consumer decision-making or deliver savings. As Canada Research Chair in Environmental, Energy and Resource Economics, Dr. Erica Myers is exploring how the design of energy conservation policy can ensure these programs are effective.
She and her research team are examining how worker incentives affect the quality of home retrofits, given that poor workmanship has been shown to be a driving factor in why these programs sometimes underperform. They are also determining how consumers acquire and use energy cost information when buying appliances and the impact of social comparisons on conservation, such as when utilities give customers information comparing their energy usage to that of their neighbours. Ultimately, their findings will inform the implementation of home retrofit initiatives.