Electric Heating appliances
redefining heating
How UX is
UX (user experience) – a term used in the technology and digital industries, is now frequently driving consumer expectations of all devices, including heating appliances. Christian Hadley, Head of Product Marketing at Glen Dimplex Heating and Ventilation, examines how UX has become a key component of electric heating and the opportunities this presents for wholesalers and their customers.
F
or many of us, the term UX (user experience) conjures up images of tech-savvy whizz kids tapping away on their laptops, or perhaps Steve Jobs, the founding father of tech
giant Apple, waxing lyrical on the latest features of the new iPhone. What it actually refers to is the overall experience of a person using a
product, especially in terms of how easy or pleasing it is to use. Where in the past a timer button to set your heating was regarded as the pinnacle of interactive design, companies today are embracing the concept of user experience by creating devices that not only cater to a customer’s needs without fuss or bother, but are also considered a joy to use. According to recent research, nine out of ten consumers now prioritise
speed, innovation and convenience of using a product over the brand identity1
. Inevitably, given the almost universal adoption of smartphones
over the past decade, ease of use is now increasingly at the forefront of consumers minds, extending its reach beyond traditional consumer electronics to a range of products including electric heating appliances. In response, driven by growing demand, improving technology and
tighter EU legislation, electric heating has evolved to produce modern appliances that are intelligent, efficient and easy to operate. For consumers and installers alike looking for the ultimate user experience, this makes them a genuinely compelling offer.
A Lot 20 to consider A recent driving force behind improving the user experience of electric heating appliances has been the recently introduced Lot 20 of the EU’s Energy Efficiency Directive – a new minimum efficiency standard aimed at phasing out inefficient technologies and reducing the energy used in our homes. Signalling the biggest shift in electrical heating in decades, the new
44 | electrical wholesalerOctober 2018
Set-up and installation For wholesalers, the advantages of these greater capabilities for user experience are two-fold; ease and consistency of set up for installers, and better quality products for their customers. So how does this translate into additional sales for wholesalers? First and
foremost, arm your customers with the information they need. When it comes to the set-up of devices at the point of installation, advise installers that while initially there will be an element of time involved here, investing this time now will certainly pay dividends in the long run. The integration of advanced, intelligent controls across entire product portfolios means once they get to grips with the new functionality, it will be consistent across a manufacturer’s product range. Dimplex, for example, has developed innovative new control units with
backlit LCD display and touch-sensitive capacitive buttons which are consistent across high heat retention, storage heating and direct acting heating appliances to ensure consistency and speed for installers.
www.ewnews.co.uk
legislation, which came into force in January, means all local space heaters manufactured for sale into the EU must now comply with a specified minimum energy efficiency level. This will largely be realised through regulating their use via intelligent timers and controls. As such, many products are being redesigned to include more advanced controls with smart features such as temperature control via open window detection, distance control via an app, and even adaptive start control to suit the individual requirements of the user. The end result is a superior user experience for consumers, supported
through easy to use smart technologies that can help keep running costs to a minimum – all whilst complying with the latest legislation.
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