Doctoral Dissertation Research: Economics of a Light Bulb: Experimental Evidence on CFLs and End-User Behavior

灯泡的经济性：CFLS和最终用户行为的实验证据Eliana Carranza和Robyn Meeks摘要住宅获得现代能源和照明被认为是重要的发展，因为它提高了生活水平和生产力。然而，发展中国家可能面临可用电力的严重限制。因此，居民用电量有限，家庭支付的电价可能与富裕国家一样高。在发展中国家，照明是住宅用电的主要组成部分，节能技术，如紧凑型荧光灯（CFL），可以节省电力，并允许更多的能源服务。尽管如此，在发展中国家通过零价格或补贴价格的大规模更换计划引进节能灯的地方，一旦消费者被要求支付全价，它们的使用往往就停止了。这代表了实现节能照明的潜在影响的主要限制。为了更好地理解CFL技术的采用、持续使用和扩散过程，本研究采用随机实验来考察两个主要机制：（1）CFL技术的使用者？反弹？影响，这是行为反应的结果，促进消费和抵消节能灯？技术上可行的节电，（2）的作用？同行？网络传播新技术的信息。虽然最初采用节能灯可能会受到限制，因为支付意愿（WTP）低于市场价格，他们的扩散可能会受到限制，如果信息太嘈杂，或者如果一个更重要的是放在负面的，而不是积极的信息。这项研究进一步了解了终端用户与节能技术互动所产生的行为障碍。研究结果与节能政策的几个方面有关。对反弹的研究将为创新和价格政策的最佳组合以及福利和电力节约之间的权衡提供信息。对等网络的研究将区分不同的学习机制，并告诉如何最好地推进节能灯？扩散最后，支付意愿研究有助于制定最佳定价和补贴战略。除了最近在发展中国家部署的CFL计划的政策相关性之外，关于应对节能技术的经验教训对发达国家也具有相关的行为影响。

ECONOMICS OF A LIGHT BULB: EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE ON CFLS AND END-USER BEHAVIOR Eliana Carranza and Robyn Meeks Abstract Residential access to modern energy and lighting is considered to be important for development as it improves living standards and productivity. However, developing countries can face severe constraints on available electricity. As a consequence, residential electricity use is limited and households pay prices that can be as high as those observed in wealthier nations. In the developing world, where lighting is a major component of residential electricity consumption, energy efficient technologies such as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) can offer electricity savings and allow more energy services. Still, where CFLs have been introduced in developing countries through mass replacement programs at a zero or subsidized price, their use is often discontinued once the consumer is required to pay the full price. This represents a major constraint to realizing the potential impacts of energy efficient lighting. To better understand the adoption, continued use, and diffusion process of the CFL technology, this study uses randomized experiments to inspect two major mechanisms: (1) the ?rebound? effect, which is the result of behavioral responses that boost consumption and offset CFLs? technologically feasible electricity savings, and (2) the role of ?peer? networks in spreading information on a new technology. Although the initial adoption of CFLs may be limited because the willingness to pay (WTP) is lower than the market price, their diffusion may be restricted if information is too noisy or if a greater importance is put on negative rather than positive information. The study furthers knowledge on the behavioral barriers that arise from end-user interactions with energy-efficient technologies. The findings are relevant to several aspects of energy conservation policy. Examination of the rebound will inform the optimal combination of innovation and price policies and the trade-off between welfare and electricity conservation. Examination of peer-networks will discern between different learning mechanisms and tell how best to advance CFLs? diffusion. Lastly, WTP studies assist in developing strategies for optimal pricing and subsidies. Beyond the policy relevance for CFL programs deployed recently in developing countries, lessons learned regarding responses to energy efficient technologies have behavioral implications that are also relevant to developed countries.