Evaluation of an interactive visualization tool to increase energy literacy in the building sector

•We evaluate an educational tool that aims at increasing energy literacy in the building sector.•We transfer existing theories from technology acceptance and human-computer interaction research to the context of an informative website on energy-related technologies in buildings.•We find that an animated version increases the users’ intention to (re-)use and recommend an informative website.•Contrary to existing theory, we find no significant effect for interactive functionalities of an informative website.