A mobile app empowering new mothers to balance energy efficiency with their baby's health and well-being.
OVERVIEW
This project explored a mobile app that uses smart meter data to help families understand their energy use and build manageable habits around life with a newborn.
CHALLENGE
Research cited from Smart Energy (2023) found that over 75% of new parents noticed increased electricity consumption, while E.ON (2023) reported that almost a third ran significantly more washing loads. The challenge was to support energy-saving habits without adding pressure or undermining parents’ confidence in caring for their baby.
HOW MIGHT WE?
How might we use smart meter data to help busy new parents reduce energy use while feeling confident they are meeting their baby’s needs?
Persona
Sarah is adjusting to parenthood with limited childcare experience. The app aims to support her daily routine with smart meter insights, helping her manage household energy use alongside caring for Oliver.
Goal
“I want to be the best mum I can be and make sure Oliver is always safe and well cared for.”
Pain Points
Establishing a bedtime routine is difficult, and Oliver’s frequent waking disrupts Sarah’s sleep. Not knowing why he is crying leaves her tired, frustrated and uncertain about what to do.
Key Insights
Sarah’s strong sense of responsibility can turn into self-doubt when Oliver is unwell or unsettled. She needs reassurance and practical support that reduces pressure, with energy-saving advice that fits around her baby’s needs.
STORYBOARD
Oliver is three months old, and Sarah is preparing to return to work. On cold December nights, she worries about keeping him warm without overheating. The storyboard explores how the app could support temperature monitoring and heating decisions while helping her manage energy use.
It’s 7 pm David baths Oliver and changes him into his night time baby clothes and nappy.
Sarah breastfeeds Oliver and records this in the app which is used to log Oliver's feeds and sleep.
Sarah reads a bedtime story and sings a lullaby to make Oliver sleepy.
Sarah turns on the sleeping mode, adjusting the temperature from 16 to 20 degrees. The lighting is set to warm and soft to create a calm atmosphere.
Sarah and David settle down in front of TV to eat their evening meal.
Oliver starts to cry and Sarah checks the app.
It suggests Sarah adjust the temperature from 20 to 18 degrees. They try to find Oliver's right sleeping temperature.
Sarah checks the app and starts the washing machine and dishwasher, activating the noise-cancelling mode.
UX VISION
Sarah’s concerns helped refine the initial problem into a clearer vision: an app that offers practical energy guidance suited to life with a newborn, supporting informed decisions without adding to the pressures of parenthood.
TESTING
I created a low-fidelity prototype focused on monitoring and adjusting the nursery temperature, aiming for a reassuring, trustworthy and empowering experience. The concept explored room-temperature alerts to support parents’ comfort and energy decisions.
Testing and Changes
One participant completed the temperature-adjustment tasks but encountered confusing steps that slowed their progress. Based on this feedback, I reduced the steps needed to reach the energy page and adjust the temperature.
Testing limitation
The participant did not fully represent the target audience. The test helped identify navigation issues, but further testing with new parents would be needed to understand whether the experience addresses their concerns and provides reassurance.
Old
New
LESSONS LEARNED
Using the COM method and a risk and uncertainty matrix, I identified a key untested assumption: parents would shift tumble-dryer use to off-peak hours. If this did not fit their routines, off-peak alerts might offer little value. Further research would be needed to understand which changes parents could realistically make to reduce energy use and costs.
