Magali Delmas & Stephanie Pincetl research finds products’ energy savings estimates are often inaccurate

Most California energy-efficiency incentive programs haven’t resulted in any energy savings, according to recent UCLA research, and many have actually increased energy use. What’s going on? Stephanie Pincetl, a co-author of the study, suspects Jevon’s paradox: when technology or government policy increases resource efficiency, consumption rises as costs fall.

“People think they can increase consumption without increasing their bills, so they use more,” said Stephanie Pincetl, co-author of the study and director of the California Center for Sustainable Communities at UCLA.

Co-authors Magali Delmas and Stephanie Pincetl found that the actual energy savings generated by energy-efficient appliances fall short of their manufacturers’ estimates.