IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v403y2026ipas0306261925018094.html

Human-building interaction in energy management systems: A systematic review with LLM-based topic modeling for user-responsive and adaptive energy systems

Author

Listed:
  • Han, Jinmog
  • Mo, Yunjeong

Abstract

The increasing global energy demand and environmental impact of buildings underscore a critical challenge in sustainable urban development. While energy management systems (EMS) have advanced in automation and technical optimization, they frequently overlook the variability of occupant behavior and the influence of human factors. This omission can result in inaccurate energy forecasting and diminished system effectiveness. To address this gap, this study adopts a human-centric perspective grounded in the concept of human-building interaction (HBI) to explore how user-centric considerations are integrated within EMS research. A systematic literature review of 117 HBI-related studies published over the past decade was conducted, followed by topic modeling using a large language model. This approach enabled the extraction of core topics that reflect the intersection of occupant behavior, simulation-aided design, immersive environments, and adaptive control systems. The analysis identified eight representative research topics, which were further validated through manual validation to ensure topic consistency. These findings reveal that an integrative view, encompassing human, building, and interaction dimensions, can inform the design of EMS that better accommodates real-world use patterns and behavioral dynamics. Based on the results, this study offers conceptual guidance and practical implications for developing user-responsive and adaptive energy systems, while outlining future directions for interdisciplinary research in HBI and EMS. This study contributes a novel, structured synthesis of HBI literature that reveals underexplored research gaps and provides conceptual and practical guidance for developing more user-centric EMS.

Suggested Citation

  • Han, Jinmog & Mo, Yunjeong, 2026. "Human-building interaction in energy management systems: A systematic review with LLM-based topic modeling for user-responsive and adaptive energy systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 403(PA).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:403:y:2026:i:pa:s0306261925018094
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.127079
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261925018094
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.127079?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Konstantakopoulos, Ioannis C. & Barkan, Andrew R. & He, Shiying & Veeravalli, Tanya & Liu, Huihan & Spanos, Costas, 2019. "A deep learning and gamification approach to improving human-building interaction and energy efficiency in smart infrastructure," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 237(C), pages 810-821.
    2. Fiorotti, Rodrigo & Fardin, Jussara F. & Rocha, Helder R.O. & Rua, David & Lopes, João Abel Peças, 2024. "Day-ahead optimal scheduling considering thermal and electrical energy management in smart homes with photovoltaic–thermal systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 374(C).
    3. Sherif Goubran & Carmela Cucuzzella & Mohamed M. Ouf, 2021. "Eyes on the Goal! Exploring Interactive Artistic Real-Time Energy Interfaces for Target-Specific Actions in the Built Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-17, February.
    4. Asmidar Abu Bakar & Salman Yussof & Azimah Abdul Ghapar & Sera Syarmila Sameon & Bo Nørregaard Jørgensen, 2024. "A Review of Privacy Concerns in Energy-Efficient Smart Buildings: Risks, Rights, and Regulations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-17, February.
    5. Hyungmo Yang & Mi Jeong Kim, 2024. "A Critical Review of Smart Residential Environment Research Focusing Human–Building Interaction," SAGE Open, , vol. 14(4), pages 21582440241, November.
    6. Karol Bandurski & Andrzej Górka & Halina Koczyk, 2023. "Radiators Adjustment in Multi-Family Residential Buildings—An Analysis Based on Data from Heat Meters," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-22, November.
    7. Ghofrani, Ali & Zaidan, Esmat & Abulibdeh, Ammar, 2022. "Simulation and impact analysis of behavioral and socioeconomic dimensions of energy consumption," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).
    8. Alireza Fath & Nicholas Hanna & Yi Liu & Scott Tanch & Tian Xia & Dryver Huston, 2024. "Indoor Infrastructure Maintenance Framework Using Networked Sensors, Robots, and Augmented Reality Human Interface," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-23, May.
    9. Dziedzic, Jakub Wladyslaw & Yan, Da & Sun, Hongsan & Novakovic, Vojislav, 2020. "Building occupant transient agent-based model – Movement module," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(C).
    10. Xiaoyue Zhu & Bo Gao & Xudong Yang & Yanping Yuan & Ji Ni, 2021. "Interactions between the Built Environment and the Energy-Related Behaviors of Occupants in Government Office Buildings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-21, September.
    11. Aguilar, J. & Garces-Jimenez, A. & R-Moreno, M.D. & García, Rodrigo, 2021. "A systematic literature review on the use of artificial intelligence in energy self-management in smart buildings," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    12. Cem Keskin & M. Pınar Mengüç, 2018. "On Occupant Behavior and Innovation Studies Towards High Performance Buildings: A Transdisciplinary Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-33, October.
    13. Girish Rentala & Yimin Zhu & Neil M. Johannsen, 2021. "Impact of Outdoor Temperature Variations on Thermal State in Experiments Using Immersive Virtual Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-36, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Fouladvand, Javanshir & Ateş, Emre & Sarı, Yasin & Okur, Özge, 2024. "Does the availability of alternative energy choices lead to more environmentally friendly outcomes? The case of thermal energy communities and natural gas consumption," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 374(C).
    2. Liu, Xiaoqi & Lee, Seungjae & Bilionis, Ilias & Karava, Panagiota & Joe, Jaewan & Sadeghi, Seyed Amir, 2021. "A user-interactive system for smart thermal environment control in office buildings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 298(C).
    3. Iqra Nazir & Nermish Mushtaq & Waqas Amin, 2025. "Smart Grid Systems: Addressing Privacy Threats, Security Vulnerabilities, and Demand–Supply Balance (A Review)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-77, September.
    4. Meera P. S. & Lavanya V., 2023. "Nature-Inspired Algorithms for Energy Management Systems: A Review," International Journal of Swarm Intelligence Research (IJSIR), IGI Global Scientific Publishing, vol. 14(1), pages 1-16, January.
    5. Duan, Pengfei & Zhao, Xiaoyu & Hu, Jinxue & Li, Kang & Xue, Qingwen & Cao, Xiaodong & Wang, Yanmin & Zhao, Bingxu & Zhang, Chenyang & Yuan, Xiaoyang, 2026. "Multi-energy load forecasting incorporating AI algorithms: research status and trends in integrated energy systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    6. Guo, Qingbin & Peng, Yanqing & Luo, Kang, 2025. "The impact of artificial intelligence on energy environmental performance: Empirical evidence from cities in China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    7. Chen, Siliang & Liang, Xinbin & Liu, Ying & Li, Xilin & Jin, Xinqiao & Du, Zhimin, 2025. "Customized large-scale model for human-AI collaborative operation and maintenance management of building energy systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 393(C).
    8. Mengda Jia & Ravi Srinivasan, 2020. "Building Performance Evaluation Using Coupled Simulation of EnergyPlus™ and an Occupant Behavior Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-13, May.
    9. Liang, Rui & Wang, Po-Hsun, 2024. "Enhancing energy efficiency in buildings, optimization method and building management systems application for lower CO2 emissions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 313(C).
    10. Satpathy, Priya Ranjan & Ramachandaramurthy, Vigna Kumaran, 2026. "Artificial intelligence and machine learning for distributed energy resource management systems: Applications, frameworks, and future directions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 403(PB).
    11. Tien, Paige Wenbin & Wei, Shuangyu & Calautit, John Kaiser & Darkwa, Jo & Wood, Christopher, 2022. "Real-time monitoring of occupancy activities and window opening within buildings using an integrated deep learning-based approach for reducing energy demand," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 308(C).
    12. Fan, Cheng & Chen, Ruikun & Mo, Jinhan & Liao, Longhui, 2024. "Personalized federated learning for cross-building energy knowledge sharing: Cost-effective strategies and model architectures," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 362(C).
    13. Tien, Paige Wenbin & Wei, Shuangyu & Liu, Tianshu & Calautit, John & Darkwa, Jo & Wood, Christopher, 2021. "A deep learning approach towards the detection and recognition of opening of windows for effective management of building ventilation heat losses and reducing space heating demand," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 603-625.
    14. Seddigheh Norouziasl & Sorena Vosoughkhosravi & Amirhosein Jafari & Zhihong Pang, 2024. "Assessing the Influence of Occupancy Factors on Energy Performance in US Small Office Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-31, October.
    15. Jafari, Hamed & Safarzadeh, Soroush & Azad-Farsani, Ehsan, 2022. "Effects of governmental policies on energy-efficiency improvement of hydrogen fuel cell cars: A game-theoretic approach," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(PC).
    16. Fouladvand, Javanshir, 2022. "Behavioural attributes towards collective energy security in thermal energy communities: Environmental-friendly behaviour matters," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(PB).
    17. Ali Ghofrani & Esmat Zaidan & Mohsen Jafari, 2021. "Reshaping energy policy based on social and human dimensions: an analysis of human-building interactions among societies in transition in GCC countries," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 8(1), pages 1-26, December.
    18. Liu, Qinghua & Li, Xiaoke & Tan, Kah Hui & Ah, Khoon Hwee, 2026. "A review of AIoT-enabled cyber-physical systems in building energy management: towards intelligent operation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 409(C).
    19. Jinhyung Park & Kwangwon Choi & Chan-Hyuk Mo & Abu Talib & Semi Park & Deuk-Woo Kim & Jaewan Joe, 2025. "Development of Evaluation Model for Building Energy Usage: Methodology Development and Case Study on Day-Care Centers in South Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-28, September.
    20. Zaragoza, Thomas & Noureddine, Adel & Exposito, Ernesto, 2025. "A systematic mapping study on software-based feedback for energy consumption," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:403:y:2026:i:pa:s0306261925018094. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.