A UX Assessment of Mobile Recommender App for Household Electrical Energy Savings

Abstract

In recent times, the use of mobile devices has drastically increased as a result of how feasible it is in utilizing them in solving everyday problems using several applications. One of the recurrent issues in everyday life is electricity consumption and the need for energy savings. This is an enormous issue and challenge faced by the Iraqi’s Ministry of Power. Most households in Iraq lack access to information regarding electric energy consumption and the need to save and conserve energy. In addition, there is also a dearth of suitable applications that educate households about energy saving. In the light of this, this study assessed the user experience of a developed mobile recommender application for Iraqis that helps them understand the need for reduction in electricity consumption based meter readings/data supplied by users. This proposed mobile recommender app was assessed by 50 households from the point of view of ease of use, usefulness, ease of learning, and satisfaction. The study’s outcome reveals that majority of the participants found that the app was easy to use, useful, easy to learn, and was satisfied with its features and functionalities. The results of the study offer some useful insights and import about the use of mobile recommender app for promoting household’s energy consumption management in Iraq and also prompts a good energy savings culture and behaviour among the people.