A review of energy efficiency strategies in smart buildings: integrating occupant comfort, HVAC optimisation, and building automation

Onweh, CC ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0405-9922, Al-Habaibeh, A ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9867-6011 and Manu, E ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9002-3681, 2025. A review of energy efficiency strategies in smart buildings: integrating occupant comfort, HVAC optimisation, and building automation. Research and Reviews in Sustainability, 1 (1), pp. 48-60. ISSN 2977-8441

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Abstract

The convergence of artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things technologies is transforming how smart buildings balance energy efficiency with occupant comfort. This systematic literature review synthesises research findings published between 2015 and 2025, drawing on 52 peer-reviewed studies alongside 26 additional authoritative standards and high-quality policy reports identified through a structured search across major academic databases, targeted journals, and grey literature. The synthesis examines reported approaches to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system optimisation, building automation, digital twin technologies, and occupant-centred control strategies, with specific attention to cold climate contexts. Artificial intelligence and Internet of Things technologies such as model predictive control, deep reinforcement learning, adaptive comfort models, and integrated indoor air quality management have been reported to deliver measurable energy savings while sustaining or enhancing occupant comfort. The best performance is achieved when active AIoT-enabled systems are combined with passive measures appropriate for the climate. Persistent challenges include gaps in interoperability between systems, data governance issues, and the scalability of solutions in retrofitted buildings. The implications for professional practice highlight the need for interoperable, cyber-secure platforms aligned with retrofit standards such as the Publicly Available Specification 2035. Future research priorities include large-scale longitudinal validation, integration with renewable energy generation and district energy systems, refinement of personalised comfort control algorithms, and the development of user engagement strategies. By mapping the current evidence base and associated challenges, this review provides a reliable foundation for accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence and Internet of Things technologies in smart buildings, supporting the pursuit of net-zero carbon emissions while enhancing occupant wellbeing.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	Research and Reviews in Sustainability
Creators:	Onweh, C.C., Al-Habaibeh, A. and Manu, E.
Publisher:	Ubiquity Press, Ltd.
Date:	2025
Volume:	1
Number:	1
ISSN:	2977-8441
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.5334/rss.9 DOI 2522408 Other
Rights:	© 2025 The Author(s). This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC-BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. See http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
Divisions:	Schools > School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
Record created by:	Laura Borcherds
Date Added:	04 Nov 2025 12:14
Last Modified:	04 Nov 2025 12:14
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/54673

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