Energy Efficiency Renovations in Residential Buildings: What Are the Key Variables in the Decision-Making? Evidence From France
Résumé
The building sector is the most important energy consumer in many developed countries. But it also represents the greatest energy-saving potential through energy efficient renovations. To induce households to undertake energy efficient renovations it seems important to identify the key decision variables. In this paper, we analyse the renovation expenditures, using an econometric approach and with French data. We focus on the effect of households and dwelling characteristics as well as public policies. Our results thus show that, besides energy-savings, the increase in comfort appears as an important variable. To induce households to undertake renovations, it seems important that policy measures aimed at decreasing
the cost of the renovation exist, this being through subsidies, and to inform households on energy-savings investments.