From data repositories to decision-making tools
What if a digital repository could tell you how to make a building more sustainable? The Demo-BLog project has brought this idea to life by transforming five digital building logbooks (DBLs) into smart, user-friendly tools that guide users in real-life decisions. For almost four years, the pilots have demonstrated that by linking existing data sources into the DBLs, homeowners, housing providers, and construction professionals can make better-informed decisions.
Five DBL implement new functionalities
CHIMNI (UK): Making retrofit advice simple and accessible
The CHIMNI pilot developed a digital retrofit advice tool that helps homeowners identify energy-efficiency improvements for their homes. Instead of requiring users to manually enter large amounts of information, the tool automatically retrieves relevant building data from trusted sources, improving both ease of use and the accuracy of recommendations. This can include information such as the property’s energy performance rating and building characteristics. Tested with 50 households across Scotland, the pilot demonstrated that a simpler, more streamlined user experience can increase energy awareness and help homeowners make more informed decisions about future renovations.
“The pilot has been a great opportunity to work closely with users and partners to better understand real-world needs and challenges. One of the biggest takeaways has been the importance of presenting complex energy information in a way that is simple, intuitive and genuinely useful.”
Karol Chojnowski
Digital Product Manager, Energy Saving Trust
CLÉA (France): Empowering homeowners with tailored renovation pathways
The CLÉA pilot introduced an automated renovation advice module that helps homeowners explore energy upgrade options based on their home’s characteristics, budget, and priorities. Users can compare costs and estimate potential energy savings and emissions reductions, while also accessing details of relevant building professionals. The new module was tested with 50 households in France, including both existing CLÉA users and organically recruited participants, to evaluate its potential to support homeowners in planning and prioritising renovation decisions.
CAPSA (Germany): Scaling decarbonisation across housing portfolios
The CAPSA pilot demonstrated an (automated) decarbonisation roadmap tool for housing portfolios, helping housing providers plan and prioritise renovation activities. Tested with 18 housing associations, the platform streamlined the collection, validation, and analysis of building data to generate tailored renovation pathways. Users could assess the costs, carbon emissions reductions, and timelines associated with different renovation measures, while factoring in local energy options. The pilot also tested new data collection workflows and user interface improvements designed to make portfolio-wide decarbonisation planning more efficient and accessible.
Woningpas (Flanders): Connecting citizens to community action
The Woningpas pilot introduced a new feature that connects homeowners with local energy cooperatives offering group purchases of heat pumps and solar panels. Using existing government data on building characteristics and energy performance, the platform identified eligible households and provided personalised invitations to relevant local initiatives. The pilot tested whether Woningpas can support engagement with neighbourhood-based renovation programmes and connect citizens with trusted local organisations. Results highlighted both the potential of personalised digital guidance and the challenges of turning initial interest into renovation action.
“With Demo-BLog, we are expanding the reach of a new sustainable technology (ie. heat pumps) in a targeted way. Through a local participation process, we engage owners of heat-pump-ready homes and actively involve them in the transition to sustainable heating solutions.”
Projectmanager VEKA-ondernemingsloket
VLAAMS ENERGIE- EN KLIMAATAGENTSCHAP
CIRDAX (Netherlands): Unlocking circular construction through data sharing
The CIRDAX pilot expanded its existing platform with a new stakeholder suite designed to support the reuse of building materials. Through a series of workshops simulating a marketplace for secondary materials, architects and construction companies explored how information on material availability, quality, and environmental impact can support circular design and construction decisions. The pilot demonstrated how DBLs, such as CIRDAX, can help connect supply and demand for reusable materials and encourage circular building practices.
The Demo-BLog project makes one thing clear: data alone doesn’t drive change, usable, trusted insights do. Across five countries, the pilots have demonstrated that DBLs are no longer just about collecting data, they are digital tools connecting the dots and using information to plan renovations, cut emissions, and helping build a carbon-neutral building stock. When DBLs are designed around real user needs and connected to reliable data, they become powerful enablers of action.