Switching Off: Energy Saving Goals Outshine Incentives—Evidence from a Field Experiment

Borzino N, Hiepler B, Schmitt K, Schmitz J, Schubert R, Tiefenbeck V (2025)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article, Online publication

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Environmental & Resource Economics Springer Verlag (Germany)

Article Number: 044001

DOI: 10.1007/s10640-025-00973-3

Open Access Link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10640-025-00973-3?utm_source=rct_congratemailt&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=oa_20250326&utm_content=10.1007/s10640-025-00973-3

Abstract

Feedback interventions are a promising tool for promoting household energy conservation
and addressing climate change. This study examines whether their effectiveness improves
with incentivized energy saving goals through a field experiment involving 422 Singa-
porean households over eight months. All treatment groups received tailored feedback
reports, energy saving goals, and tips. Two groups also received additional incentives:
monetary rewards or environmental donations. Households receiving only feedback, goals
and savings tips reduced electricity use by 16% compared to the control group, but those
offered additional monetary or environmental incentives achieved no further savings. No-
tabl the effects persisted marginally post-intervention in the goal treatment. These results
indicate that low-cost behavioral strategies like feedback, savings tips and goal setting
can be as effective as costly incentives, providing a scalable and economical pathway for
energy conservation initiatives.

Authors with CRIS profile

Kathrin Schmitt Juniorprofessur für Digitale Transformation Verena Tiefenbeck Juniorprofessur für Digitale Transformation

Involved external institutions

Radboud University Nijmegen NL Netherlands (NL) Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich (ETHZ) / Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich CH Switzerland (CH)

How to cite

APA:

Borzino, N., Hiepler, B., Schmitt, K., Schmitz, J., Schubert, R., & Tiefenbeck, V. (2025). Switching Off: Energy Saving Goals Outshine Incentives—Evidence from a Field Experiment. Environmental & Resource Economics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10640-025-00973-3

MLA:

Borzino, Natalia, et al. "Switching Off: Energy Saving Goals Outshine Incentives—Evidence from a Field Experiment." Environmental & Resource Economics (2025).

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