The study also found individuals' level of qualification or years of experience in energy modelling, did not improve the accuracy of the respondents' answers. 

Using language and methods drawn from the educational sector, the researchers have described participants as being 'modelling illiterate'.

Building modelling professionals are responsible for forecasting a proposed building's energy efficiency and making recommendations about which design aspects, such as the amount of glass, how much natural ventilation is provided, or which materials need altering to achieve the highest possible building performance in terms of energy efficiency.

They use a number of computer simulation programmes whereby they input data about the proposed building to calculate the building's energy efficiency, indicated by the building's Energy Performance Certificate. 

This certificate uses an A-G scale similar to the one found on a new washing machine and other white goods. However, unlike car and washing machine manufacturers, building modelers are not legally obliged to ensure a building's certificate matches its performance in real life.

Although those doing the modelling do need to demonstrate a minimum level of competence, the focus is on the calculations and the legislative framework, not on checking if the predictions match the performance of buildings once constructed. 

In addition, those doing the modelling rarely discover if their calculations have any relation to the performance of the building once in use. 

This is in stark contrast for example with the outcomes data surgeons have access to, and rely on to judge their work.

Hence maybe it is not surprising that there can be a 200 per cent difference between a building's predicted performance and the real one. 

This gulf in energy efficiency can have serious financial implications for home and building owners alike, as energy is often the greatest cost of a building after paying the mortgage. 

But energy is not the only question, the same computer programs and modelers predict the temperature of rooms in summer and many other things which might explain the experience of many forced to sweat in 'glass box' buildings.

Investigators, given the findings about how the level of relevant education and experience don't separate the good modelers from the bad, we are calling on the government for educational and policy change to work with industry and universities to increase efforts in improving building physics education.

Currently, an in-depth qualification for building modelling does not exist, meaning there is little formal training process for those entering the profession. If this aspect can be addressed, part of the 'performance gap' could rapidly be reduced.