An investigation into usability and exclusivity issues of digital programmable thermostats
An investigation into usability and exclusivity issues of digital programmable thermostats
With nearly 60% of domestic energy consumption relating to space heating, the interaction between users and their heating controls is crucial in reducing consumption. Yet, many heating controls are complex and exclude people due to the demands placed upon their capabilities in terms of vision, reach, dexterity and thinking. This study explores the scale of and reasons for user exclusion in relation to digital programmable thermostats. The Exclusion Calculator was used to estimate the percentage of the population excluded from the use of three products. Full user testing was then conducted to elicit specific usability problems of the devices. The participants were a group of 14 younger users (aged 24-44) and 10 older users (aged 62-75). The exclusion calculations underestimated the actual exclusion significantly for both age ranges (p < 0.05). None of the older users were able to complete the programming of the thermostats. Additionally, the cognitive demands of these systems were considered using a subjective workload assessment method, based on the NASA Task Load Index, and were found to be excessive. In conclusion, this study makes recommendations to facilitate the design of more inclusive digital programmable thermostats. It is argued that such changes could result in reductions in domestic heat energy consumption.
digital programmable thermostats, human factors, inclusive design, NASA Task Load Index, usability
401-417
Combe, Nicola
9f1f14bc-82eb-4104-9e77-102b3b343bf0
Harrison, David
a477c42a-c399-42d5-981c-da14c1300542
Craig, Salmaan
c04e9c9c-deea-43f8-83e4-237b712322d5
Young, Mark S.
3f79589e-2000-4cb0-832a-6eba54f50130
1 May 2012
Combe, Nicola
9f1f14bc-82eb-4104-9e77-102b3b343bf0
Harrison, David
a477c42a-c399-42d5-981c-da14c1300542
Craig, Salmaan
c04e9c9c-deea-43f8-83e4-237b712322d5
Young, Mark S.
3f79589e-2000-4cb0-832a-6eba54f50130
Combe, Nicola, Harrison, David, Craig, Salmaan and Young, Mark S.
(2012)
An investigation into usability and exclusivity issues of digital programmable thermostats.
Journal of Engineering Design, 23 (5), .
(doi:10.1080/09544828.2011.599027).
Abstract
With nearly 60% of domestic energy consumption relating to space heating, the interaction between users and their heating controls is crucial in reducing consumption. Yet, many heating controls are complex and exclude people due to the demands placed upon their capabilities in terms of vision, reach, dexterity and thinking. This study explores the scale of and reasons for user exclusion in relation to digital programmable thermostats. The Exclusion Calculator was used to estimate the percentage of the population excluded from the use of three products. Full user testing was then conducted to elicit specific usability problems of the devices. The participants were a group of 14 younger users (aged 24-44) and 10 older users (aged 62-75). The exclusion calculations underestimated the actual exclusion significantly for both age ranges (p < 0.05). None of the older users were able to complete the programming of the thermostats. Additionally, the cognitive demands of these systems were considered using a subjective workload assessment method, based on the NASA Task Load Index, and were found to be excessive. In conclusion, this study makes recommendations to facilitate the design of more inclusive digital programmable thermostats. It is argued that such changes could result in reductions in domestic heat energy consumption.
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More information
e-pub ahead of print date: 28 July 2011
Published date: 1 May 2012
Additional Information:
Funding Information:
The authors gratefully acknowledge the participants from both user groups for giving up their time and providing such useful comments on their experience while using the heating controls. Without their cooperation, in sometimes frustrating circumstances, this study would not have been possible. The authors also acknowledge the funding of both the EPSRC and Buro Happold.
Keywords:
digital programmable thermostats, human factors, inclusive design, NASA Task Load Index, usability
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 480049
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/480049
ISSN: 0954-4828
PURE UUID: d31a7692-7d19-4eec-a2a9-fe4c13bf6d15
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Date deposited: 01 Aug 2023 16:40
Last modified: 18 Mar 2024 04:12
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Author:
Nicola Combe
Author:
David Harrison
Author:
Salmaan Craig
Author:
Mark S. Young
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