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Abstract:
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Household appliances account for about 35% of U.S. household energy consumption. Therefore, enhancements in the energy performance of appliances as well as increases in the use of more efficient appliances can result in reduced household energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. To promote energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency launched the ENERGY STAR® voluntary labeling program in 1992. Usually ENERGY STAR appliances use less energy than required by federal standards. However, use of ENERGY STAR products is affected by various factors and many consumers do not use ENERGY STAR products. This study examines the determinants for use of ENERGY STAR refrigerators, clothes washers, and dishwashers. Using a probit selection model, a series of hypotheses about the effects that characteristics of the household (such as education, age, sex, race, income, and size of household), building characteristics (such as age, ownership, and type), and electricity prices have on adoption behavior are tested. The U.S. Energy Information Administration's 2009 Residential Energy Consumption Survey provide the main data for this analysis.
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