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dc.titleHow Effective is Energy-efficient Housing?: Evidence From a Field Experiment in Mexico
dc.contributor.authorDavis, Lucas
dc.contributor.authorMartinez, Sebastian
dc.contributor.authorTaboada, Bibiana
dc.contributor.orgunitOffice of Strategic Planning and Development Effectiveness
dc.coverageMexico
dc.coverageLatin America and the Caribbean
dc.date.available2018-02-07T00:00:00
dc.date.issue2018-02-06T00:00:00
dc.description.abstractThis paper evaluates a field experiment in Mexico in which a quasi-experimental sample of new homes was provided with insulation and other energy efficient upgrades. A novel feature of our study is that we deploy large numbers of data loggers which allow us to measure temperature and humidity at high frequency inside homes. We find that the upgrades had no detectable impact on electricity use or thermal comfort, and this is true both in summer and non-summer months. These results stand in contrast to the engineering estimates that predicted up to a 26% decrease in electricity use. Part of the explanation is that air conditioner ownership is lower than expected, thus reducing the potential for reductions in energy use. In addition, we document that most households have their windows open on hot days, nullifying the thermal benefits of roof and wall insulation.
dc.format.extent55
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.18235/0000989
dc.identifier.urlhttps://publications.iadb.org/publications/english/document/How-Effective-is-Energy-efficient-Housing-Evidence-From-a-Field-Experiment-in-Mexico.pdf
dc.language.isoen
dc.mediumAdobe PDF
dc.publisherInter-American Development Bank
dc.subjectHousing
dc.subjectResidential Energy Consumption
dc.subjectEnergy Efficiency
dc.subjectAir Conditioning
dc.subjectEnergy Consumption
dc.subjectThermal Power
dc.subjectElectricity Consumption
dc.subjectImpact Evaluation
dc.subjectDifference-in-Difference Method
dc.subject.jelcodeH23 - Externalities • Redistributive Effects • Environmental Taxes and Subsidies
dc.subject.jelcodeQ54 - Climate • Natural Disasters and Their Management • Global Warming
dc.subject.jelcodeD12 - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
dc.subject.jelcodeQ40 - Energy: General
dc.subject.keywordsEnergy Efficiency, Energy Demand, Thermal Comfort, Air Conditioning
dc.typeWorking Papers
idb.identifier.pubnumberWorking Papers
idb.operationHQ-A1034-000
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