Costs of energy efficiency mandates can reverse the sign of rebound

• Published in: Journal of public economics 2020-08, Vol.188, p.104225, Article 104225
• Main Authors: Fullerton, Don, Ta, Chi L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Costless technology improvement; Energy efficiency standards; Energy mandates; General equilibrium; Rebound
• ISSN: 0047-2727; 1879-2316
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2020.104225

Improvements in energy efficiency reduce the cost of consuming services from household cars and appliances and can result in a positive rebound effect that offsets part of the direct energy savings. We use a general equilibrium model to derive analytical expressions that allow us to compare rebound effects from a costless technology shock (CTS) to those from a costly energy efficiency standard (EES). We decompose each total effect on the use of energy into a direct efficiency effect, direct rebound effect, and indirect rebound effect. We show which factors determine the sign and magnitude of each. Rebound from a CTS is generally positive, as in prior literature, but we also show how a pre-existing EES can negate the direct energy savings from the CTS – leaving only the positive rebound effect on energy use. Then we analyze increased stringency of an EES, and we show exactly when the increased costs reverse the sign of rebound. Using plausible parameter values in this model, we find that indirect effects can outweigh the direct effects captured in partial equilibrium models, and that the total rebound from a costly EES can be negative. •Analysis of rebound from energy efficiency improvements to cars, appliances•First comparison of costless technology shock vs. energy efficiency standard•CTS reduces cost of use, with positive rebound via substitution toward energy use.•More stringent EES raises costs, with negative income effects and negative rebound