We use an experiment to test whether consumers optimally acquire information on energy costs in appliance markets where, like many contexts, consumers are poorly informed and make mistakes despite freely available information. To test for optimal information acquisition we compare the average...

We examine whether agency issues due to asymmetric information affect the cost-effectiveness of subsidy programs for energy efficiency investments. In 2009, the Flemish government introduced a reduction in the property tax of 20% to 40% for energy efficient houses. Exploiting the notch to...

Märkte für energieeffiziente Güter zeichnen sich typischerweise durch Informationsasymmetrien aus. Zertifizierte Öko-Labels einer unabhängigen Drittpartei stellen ein geeignetes Instrument dar, um solche Informationsasymmetrien am Markt zu überwinden und Vertrauen in die Gültigkeit von...