On the relevance of values, norms, and economic preferences for electricity consumption

Based on data of more than 3700 citizens in Germany, this paper empirically examines the relevance several groups explanatory factors for electricity consumption. Besides controlling individual housing and dwelling characteristics as well socio-demographics, we analyze effect environmentally-related values norms. Since behavioral economics reveals importance economic preferences many activities, additionally consider time risk preferences, altruism, trust, reciprocity our econometric analysis. With respect to latter factors, only patience has a significantly negative Instead, estimation results suggest high socio-demographics. The most interesting result is probably that neither such ecological policy identification environmental awareness nor personal social norms have significant effect. In contrast USA demand green these with strong Germany do not low consumption an important direction climate protection.