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

Arianna Latini, Elisa Di Giuseppe (), Ludovica Marcelli and Marco D’Orazio
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Arianna Latini: Department of Construction, Civil Engineering and Architecture (DICEA), Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
Elisa Di Giuseppe: Department of Construction, Civil Engineering and Architecture (DICEA), Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
Ludovica Marcelli: Department of Construction, Civil Engineering and Architecture (DICEA), Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
Marco D’Orazio: Department of Construction, Civil Engineering and Architecture (DICEA), Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60131 Ancona, Italy

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 9, 1-25

Abstract: Virtual Reality is transforming the engineering and construction sectors by enabling pre-design evaluations and training to foster informed energy decision-making. Immersive Virtual Environments (IVEs) can boost user engagement by integrating real-time information and feedback in the virtual space. This research aims to assess whether immersive training can increase users’ awareness of the consequences of their energy-related behaviours and improve energy efficiency and thermal condition. Thus, an immersive training activity was developed by integrating an IVE with the results of a real residential Building Energy Model. Fifty-two participants interacted with building systems (e.g., air conditioning, windows, and blinds) to improve thermal comfort under summer conditions. Graphical indicators and tips were updated in real time, showing the behavioural consequences of indoor air temperature and energy consumption. The findings confirmed the ecological validity of the immersive training activity. Over 90% of the participants displayed excellent knowledge acquisition, through effective and simple recommendations, which positively correlated with the number of attempts (τ > 0), highlighting the potential of increasing users’ awareness from the pre-design stages.

Keywords: energy-related behaviour; comfort; Immersive Virtual Environment; Building Energy Model; training; energy efficiency; residential building stock (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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