Short answer

Incorporate immersive virtual reality simulations into the design process to educate users about the energy implications of their behaviour before and during building occupancy.

Field
Human Factors
Source
Sustainability (2025)
Method
Pilot testing of a developed immersive virtual training environment.
Sample
52 participants
Evidence
Strong effect

Immersive virtual reality environments can significantly enhance users' understanding of their energy-related behaviours and their impact on building performance. This human factors research insight is drawn from a 2025 study published in Sustainability. Using Pilot testing of a developed immersive virtual training environment. with 52 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Incorporate immersive virtual reality simulations into the design process to educate users about the energy implications of their behaviour before and during building occupancy.

Study
Human FactorsNew This WeekStrong effect

Immersive VR training boosts building energy awareness by over 90%

Immersive virtual reality environments can significantly enhance users' understanding of their energy-related behaviours and their impact on building performance.

Sustainability · 2025

01

Key Findings

  • 01The immersive training activity demonstrated ecological validity.
  • 02Over 90% of participants showed excellent knowledge acquisition.
  • 03Effective and simple recommendations were provided.
  • 04Increased user awareness positively correlated with the number of interaction attempts.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Incorporate immersive virtual reality simulations into the design process to educate users about the energy implications of their behaviour before and during building occupancy.

How to apply

Develop VR training modules for building occupants or facility managers to educate them on energy-saving practices and the impact of their interactions with building systems.

Project actions

  • 01Consider using VR to simulate user interaction with a product and its environmental impact.
  • 02Focus on providing clear, real-time feedback within the simulation to guide user learning.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo determine if immersive virtual training can increase users' awareness of energy-related behaviours and improve energy efficiency and thermal conditions in buildings.
MethodPilot testing of a developed immersive virtual training environment.
ProcedureAn immersive virtual environment (IVE) was created, linked to a real residential building energy model. Participants interacted with virtual building systems (air conditioning, windows, blinds) to optimize thermal comfort, receiving real-time graphical feedback on the consequences of their actions on indoor air temperature and energy consumption. The training focused on summer conditions.
Sample52 participants
ContextResidential building energy management and user behaviour training.

Variables

IV["Immersive virtual training environment (presence vs. absence)","Interaction with building systems within the IVE"]
DV["User awareness of energy-related behaviours","Energy efficiency outcomes","Thermal comfort levels","Knowledge acquisition"]
CV["Summer conditions","Specific building energy model parameters","Types of building systems available for interaction"]
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Ecological validity of the training environment.
  • +High percentage of participants demonstrating knowledge acquisition.

Limitations

The cost and accessibility of VR equipment can be a barrier. The transferability of learning from a virtual environment to real-world behaviour needs careful consideration.

Reliability & validity

The study's ecological validity suggests that the virtual environment accurately reflects real-world scenarios, enhancing external validity. Reliability would depend on the consistency of the IVE and feedback mechanisms.

Think critically

How might the principles of this VR training be applied to other areas of user behaviour change, such as water conservation or waste reduction?

05

Design Principles

"Leverage immersive simulation to foster user awareness and behavioural change for improved building performance."

This research demonstrates the power of interactive simulations in educating users about energy consumption and thermal comfort. By providing real-time feedback within an engaging virtual space, designers can create more effective training tools that lead to tangible improvements in energy efficiency and user satisfaction.

06

What This Means for Your Design

Using virtual reality to let people 'play' with building controls in a computer simulation can teach them how to save energy and be more comfortable in real buildings.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Reference this study when discussing the use of simulation or VR for user training and behaviour modification in your design project.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights the efficacy of immersive virtual training environments in enhancing user awareness of energy-related behaviours. By simulating real-world building interactions and providing immediate feedback, such as in the study by Latini et al. (2025), designers can develop powerful tools to educate users and promote energy efficiency, demonstrating a strong link between human-computer interaction and sustainable design outcomes.

09

Source

Sustainability

Immersive Virtual Training Environment to Improve Building Users’ Awareness of Energy-Related Behaviour: Development and Pilot Testing

journal · 2025

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about immersive vr training boosts building energy awareness by over 90%?
Incorporate immersive virtual reality simulations into the design process to educate users about the energy implications of their behaviour before and during building occupancy. Evidence: Sustainability (2025).
Why does "Immersive VR training boosts building energy awareness by over 90%" matter for design?
This research demonstrates the power of interactive simulations in educating users about energy consumption and thermal comfort. By providing real-time feedback within an engaging virtual space, designers can create more effective training tools that lead to tangible improvements in energy efficiency and user satisfaction.
How can designers apply this research?
Incorporate immersive virtual reality simulations into the design process to educate users about the energy implications of their behaviour before and during building occupancy.
What were the main findings?
The immersive training activity demonstrated ecological validity.. Over 90% of participants showed excellent knowledge acquisition.. Effective and simple recommendations were provided.. Increased user awareness positively correlated with the number of interaction attempts.
What research method was used?
Pilot testing of a developed immersive virtual training environment. with 52 participants.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2025 journal from Sustainability.
What should I do differently in my next project?
Develop VR training modules for building occupants or facility managers to educate them on energy-saving practices and the impact of their interactions with building systems.
What are the limitations?
The study was conducted under specific summer conditions and may not fully represent other seasons or building types. The long-term impact of the training was not assessed.