Smatrix
Uponor’s radiant heating and cooling system had hardware that users trusted, but an app that was letting them down. This is how we rebuilt the experience from the ground up.
A reliable system that deserved a better app
GF Uponor wanted to launch a new generation of radiant heating controllers with better performance and user experience. As designers, our main goal was to create a new mobile app that lived up to those improvements and helped our users feel comfortable in their homes without too much hassle.
To begin ideating the new app we had a good starting point: our previous underfloor heating system. We got down to work and gathered all the feedback we had received through in-app surveys, issues reported through technical support and interviews with installers and homeowners. This research gave us a clear picture of what needed to change and what was already working well.
According to the users, the Smatrix hardware was trustworthy and performed well, but it was being let down by an unreliable app.
Positive features
10% savings on heating costs without compromising on comfort
Remote control often cited as the main reason for purchase
The onboarding process makes it easier for installers to set the system up.
Around 70% of users reported connectivity issues
Lack of support and poor error handling
Historical data shows little detail and doesn't offer the option to compare rooms
User journey
Competitive analysis
Key insights
Why scheduling matters
Smatrix lets customers define Comfort and Eco schedules room by room (e.g., keeping the living room warm while letting the bedroom cool down during the day). This kind of control can make a difference on energy bills, but only if users can actually configure it.
We went through several iterations of the scheduling flow. In the early versions, our focus was giving the users very precise control over their schedules. However, after running several usability testing sessions, it became apparent that the process was too confusing and the cognitive load too high.
We came to the conclusion that homeowners wanted to set the system up without having to go through a time-consuming process, even if that meant sacrificing some flexibility. This made us lean towards a simpler, more accessible version that still and met our users’ needs.
Schedule iterations
Final schedule
A little help goes a long way
No system is error-free, but to provide a good user experience we had to make sure that the homeowners could solve any problems as easily as possible.
Several users had expressed their frustration with the lack of guidance whenever an issue came up, without always having to rely on technical support.
The new design needed to include user-friendly error messages, as well as a support guide for the trickier technical concepts.
How much energy am I saving?
One of the biggest reasons people choose underfloor heating is to save energy. Our radiant heating system had achieved a 10% reduction in heating costs for our customers, but how could we show this improvement in a transparent way?
We included a section where the users could view their temperature, humidity and energy consumption trends, and compare different rooms and date ranges so they can adjust the system to suit their home.
Testing the app in the real world
Before launching the new system to the market, we needed to test it in a real-world setting. We installed radiant heating in 3 homes and tracked both the installation process and the day-to-day use of the system.
Besides fixing some technical issues and making things run more smoothly, it also gave us a great chance to hear directly from installers and homeowners and apply their inputs to future iterations.
Positive impact
What are the next steps?
In upcoming versions we will keep adding more value to our product:
AI Control System that adapts to the specific features of every home, saving up to an estimate 20% on energy costs.
Integration with local energy providers to further improve savings.
Remote monitoring of the radiant system so the technicians can act as soon as an issue is detected.
Optional subscription services: geofencing, open window detection, air quality optimization and fault detection.
