Estimating Residential demand for electricity in the United States

Authors

  • SUPAWAT RUNGSURIYAWIBOON

Abstract

Abstract

The paper examines econometric relationship between residential electricity consumption and relevant variables such as income, price of electricity and natural gas, customer characteristics as well as climatic variables. The model under this study follows with a model proposed by Chern et al (1988). A partial adjustment model is specified and estimated using time-series for the United States over the period 1960-1996.

            The results indicate that the estimated short-run own-price elasticity for residential electricity demand is -0.213, while the long-run own-price elasticity is -0.975. The short-run and long-run income elasticities are 0.299 and 1.37, respectively. The results also show that there were significant structural changes in residential electricity demand during 1973-74. These changes can be best explained by the impact of the 1973 oil embargo. However, there was no such structural change in 1983 which it was another reversal of increasing price trend. 

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