Addressing self-disconnection among prepayment energy consumers: a behavioural approach
Files
Date
2019
Authors
Rocha, M.
Baddeley, M.
Pollitt, M.
Weeks, M.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Energy Economics, 2019; 81:273-286
Statement of Responsibility
Conference Name
Abstract
This paper explores links between self-control in decision-making and self-disconnection by households using energy prepayment meters. Self-disconnection happens when households exhaust all available credit in their meter and are left without a supply of energy because they have been unable to top-up. This has serious consequences for the well-being of households and also increases firms’ costs. We explore behavioural characteristics associated with self-disconnection and present saving plans to help households minimize self-disconnection. We show that, in our sample, stated self-disconnection is positively associated with lower levels of goal achievement. We also show that households which have already experienced self-disconnection are more likely to accept an energy savings plan. It is relevant and promising that these households tend to select saving plans most likely to minimise their likelihood of self-disconnection. Our findings give some useful insights for energy policy-making, both for policy-makers interested in alleviating energy poverty and for energy utilities keen to limit self-disconnection.
School/Discipline
Dissertation Note
Provenance
Description
Link to a related website: http://www.econ.cam.ac.uk/research-files/repec/cam/pdf/cwpe1353.pdf, Open Access via Unpaywall
Access Status
Rights
Copyright 2019 Elsevier
Access Condition Notes: Accepted manuscript available after 1 July 2021