CONSEED comprised an extensive literature review on factors influencing consumer decision-making, focus groups and in-depth interviews, across consumer groups (households, services, agriculture and industry), product sectors (appliances, buildings and transport) and geographical locations (Greece, Ireland, Norway, Slovenia, Spain). The results of these interactions informed the design of the surveys which were conducted across the same five countries. CONSEED conducted three field trials and three discrete choice experiments. We then combined the results of all the data collection to validate, refine and develop further the consumer decision making models and estimate implicit discount rates. Finally, we evaluated relevant existing EU energy efficiency policies, and made concrete recommendations for alterations. Results fed into a large number of publications from the project which are available on the project website, including reports/deliverables, policy recommendations, policy briefs, factsheets, posters, industry bulletins, key presentations, abstracts, videos and links to scientific publications.
In WP5, we combined the results of WPs 1-4 to validate, refine and develop further the consumer decision making models and estimate implicit discount rates. Finally, WP6 evaluated relevant existing EU energy efficiency policies, and made concrete recommendations for alterations. Results fed into a large number of publications from the project which are available on the project website, including reports/deliverables, policy recommendations, policy briefs, factsheets, posters, industry bulletins, key presentations, abstracts, videos and links to scientific publications.
Our Findings
Policy-relevant findings from CONSEED derive primarily from surveys, field trials and experiments.
While survey results vary considerably by country, sector and technology, there are a number of broad general findings:
1. Many households and firms are unsure of existing consumption levels and of the financial benefits of upgrading to higher efficiency levels
2. Underinvestment in energy efficiency is partially due to internal financial constraints (lack of internal financial reserves) and external credit limitations (loan access)
3. Existing labelling is considered helpful, influential, trustworthy and clear. However, contrary to this, many believe labelling is potentially manipulated by suppliers
4. Our findings suggest that the addition of monetary information, e.g. in the form of likely energy costs over a year, to existing energy efficiency labels would increase the demand for more efficient household goods.
Results from household field trials (property and appliances) and hypothetical DCEs (appliances and cars) also vary by country and technology but can be summarised under:
1. Regression results from control group samples suggest that energy efficiency is already an important attribute in energy efficiency investment decisions
2. Treatment effects (the framing of energy efficiency in monetary terms) further increases the demand for energy efficiency (Note: for appliances, the effects are considerably smaller in the Spanish field trial and statistically insignificant in Greece)
