The Energy and Environment Centre in Deister launched a 26‑month project (December 2021 to February 2024) under the grant number AZ 37267/01 to clarify common doubts about building renovation. The aim was to demonstrate the effectiveness of insulation, ventilation, heating and mold prevention through simple, everyday experiments and models that could be understood by non‑experts. The project targeted energy consultants, teachers, vocational trainers, industry advisers and other professionals who educate on energy efficiency, and it trained more than 130 multipliers who could then spread the knowledge in their own contexts.

Five work packages guided the effort. First, a set of memorable experiments and models was designed to illustrate key building‑physics concepts. These experiments covered questions such as how insulation thickness influences heat flow, when a wall can be placed against an exterior surface without risking mold, the optimal strategy for heating or cooling a single room, and how to ventilate efficiently while saving energy. One striking demonstration involved a foil cube that could be lifted by a cubic metre of air, visually conveying the magnitude of thermal resistance in insulated walls. The experiments also showed how a single room can be cooled at night and reheated during the day, and how the surface temperature of a wall affects moisture accumulation.

Second, the experiments were tested with selected participants to refine their clarity and practicality. Third, a user guide and documentation were produced, providing step‑by‑step instructions for setting up the experiments and interpreting the results. Fourth, seminars were held for the multipliers, during which the centre’s building‑physics expert explained each experiment, answered questions, and distributed experiment kits containing thermometers, hygrometers and CO₂ sensors for home use. Fifth, the results were disseminated through workshops, a YouTube video, and presentations at industry events. The video, produced in collaboration with Carsten Herbert, the “Energy‑Saving Commissioner,” reached more than 24 000 viewers within a few weeks and received numerous positive comments. The experiments were also showcased at the 15th EffizienzTagung on climate‑neutral building and at the Forum Energie und Bau in Hannover, and they were introduced to student groups at the centre.

The project board, comprising representatives from education, industry and science, reviewed the experiments in September 2022 to ensure their relevance to practice. The centre plans to continue offering workshops beyond the funding period and is exploring further development options such as train‑the‑trainer sessions, teacher‑specific workshops and ready‑to‑use experiment sets.

Overall, the project demonstrated that simple, visual experiments can effectively convey complex building‑physics principles, thereby reducing uncertainty about insulation, ventilation and mold risks. By equipping professionals with tangible tools and knowledge, the initiative supports the broader goal of reducing energy consumption in the building sector while preventing damage from moisture and mold.