Precision*, a leader in residential HVAC systems, sought to introduce a new smart thermostat that would stand out in an already-saturated market. Design's goal was to lead the integration of this new device into the existing home management mobile application ecosystem, ensuring a seamless user experience. With a fresh, strategic focus on energy savings, an app was designed that quickly won over stakeholders and paved the way for data-informed design strategy at Precision (*name has been changed).
Understanding the market trends and user demands, we steered the project towards a user experience centered around energy savings. This strategic decision was crucial in simplifying the app experience, making it not just user-friendly, but also environmentally conscious.
The concept of PrecisionPLUS emerged from this strategic focus. We aimed to redefine how users interact with energy in their homes. By embedding a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) API, the app offered users an opportunity to participate in energy-saving initiatives, aligning with the growing global emphasis on sustainability.
Making energy savings the focus of the app, not an add-on, gave the opportunity to stand out and provide new value to our homeowners.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Block Quote
Central to the app’s redesign was providing users with meaningful energy insights. We integrated features that displayed historical energy consumption and cost-saving opportunities, ensuring that the app delivered value regardless of the user’s VPP enrollment status. Design workshopped viable ways to visualize available data, garnering feedback from users about the value of this data and what else we could show them.
This strategic shift not only enhanced user experience but also positioned Precision as a forward-thinking player in the smart home market. The launch of the new thermostat and PrecisionPLUS marked a significant stride towards integrating smart technology with energy consciousness.
Looking ahead, we started envisioning a broader ecosystem of energy-efficient smart home products. By leveraging AI and user data, PrecisionPLUS is set to recommend a suite of eco-friendly solutions, further cementing Precision’s commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability.
One of the major hurdles was shifting the stakeholder mindset from a traditional, feature-heavy app to a streamlined, energy-focused approach. Advocating for an energy-centric design was key in gaining their trust and support, demonstrating the long-term value and market potential of this approach. It was critical to show, not tell, through early prototypes and user feedback.
The project underscored the importance of strategic focus in design. By prioritizing energy savings as the core of the app, we not only streamlined the user experience but also tapped into the growing consumer desire for eco-friendly solutions, securing essential stakeholder buy-in.
