ENERGY EFFICIENCY MONITORING IN INSTITUTIONAL FACILITIES: A REVIEW OF UI/UX SOLUTIONS FOR IOT DASHBOARDS

Abstract

As energy consumption becomes a critical concern for institutional facilities such as universities, hospitals, and government buildings, there is an increasing shift toward leveraging Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to enhance energy efficiency and operational sustainability. A key enabler in this transformation is the energy monitoring dashboard—an interface that aggregates and visualizes data from distributed smart meters, sensors, and gateways. However, the success of these dashboards hinges not only on their technical capacity but also on the quality of their user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design, which directly influence user comprehension, engagement, and decision-making. This study presents a comprehensive and systematic literature review of 122 peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2024, with the objective of identifying the design elements, interaction patterns, and functional features that determine UI/UX effectiveness in institutional energy dashboard systems. The review examines how UI/UX frameworks, such as human-centered design and usability engineering, have been integrated into institutional dashboards to support real-time energy monitoring, data-driven decision-making, and cross-departmental coordination. Particular attention is paid to the ways in which visual design elements—such as interactive charts, heatmaps, and modular components—enhance user navigation and situational awareness. The study synthesizes empirical findings that illustrate how dashboards offering customization, role-based access, and device adaptability can increase user satisfaction and operational responsiveness across different institutional roles. It also investigates the impact of inclusive design strategies, such as ADA-compliant features and language localization, which are critical for ensuring that diverse user groups—including those with limited technical literacy—can benefit from energy data insights. Furthermore, the review identifies persistent challenges such as data overload, inconsistent feedback loops, and lack of interoperability with building automation or enterprise resource systems. Case studies demonstrate that dashboards which address these challenges through cognitive simplicity, predictive visualization, and system integration yield significantly better outcomes in terms of energy savings, user engagement, and policy compliance. Overall, this review provides a holistic and multidisciplinary perspective on the role of UI/UX design in institutional energy dashboards, offering practical insights for designers, energy managers, and policymakers seeking to optimize the utility of smart monitoring systems for sustainable facility operations.