Improved Biomass Cookstove Use in the Longer Run : Results from a Field Experiment in Rural Ethiopia

This study examines improved biomass cookstove use in the longer run in Ethiopia, using electronically-monitored stove use data collected at five points in time over a period of three-and-a-half years. We explore retention of the stoves and if longer-run use and dis-adoption are impacted by monetary treatments provided at the time of distribution. We find that 63% of households surveyed still had their stoves in place after more than three years. Over 80% of those who abandoned their stoves did so due to breakage, indicating a very low level of abandonment of functional stoves. Dis-adoption of the stove was not correlated with the three monetary treatments, which were randomly-assigned at baseline. We also find no differences in the effect of our monetary treatments on usage frequency. Among those who retained their stoves, despite the relatively long timeframe, we observe no decline in regular usage