Essays on the Economics of Energy and Real Estate Management

My thesis analyzes the economics of energy and real estate management by means of three

essays. First, I analyze a large real estate portfolio in Switzerland to quantify the effects of

energy efficiency improvements on energy consumption and rents. Applying a differencein-

difference identification strategy, I provide novel evidence on the potential contribution

of energy efficiency as an emissions mitigation strategy. Second, I elicit Swiss homeowners’

investment behavior related to alternative space heating, including energy efficient and

renewable technologies. Using an experimental design combining within and between variations,

I quantify how the provision of information about CO2 emissions and CO2 taxes

affects decisions. Finally, I assess Swiss tenants’ preferences for alternative heating technologies

in terms of their willingness to trade-off lower energy bills and higher rents. I apply

the Multiple Price List procedure and assess how the acceptability of renovation strategies

is affected by information on CO2 emissions and CO2 taxes. Overall, my thesis will provide

novel insights on the behavioral and welfare effects associated with energy efficiency

improvements in residential buildings.