Redesigning Centralized AC Control for Shared Living
Improving multi-room comfort through room-level airflow control and transparent system feedback.
Smart Home Systems
Interaction Design
UX Research
About Project
This project focuses on improving the thermostat experience within the iApartments smart-home ecosystem. The existing system allowed only centralized temperature control, creating friction in shared living environments where residents often had different comfort preferences. The redesign explores ways to introduce room-level airflow control and clearer system feedback, helping users better understand how adjustments affect their living space.
Client
iApartments
Industry
Smart Home
Timeline
8 weeks
Role
UX Designer
Responsibilities
User research and stakeholder interviews
Competitive analysis and market research
Information architecture and user flows
Wireframing and prototyping
Visual design and interaction patterns
Usability testing and iteration
The Challenge
Residents struggled with uneven cooling across rooms and had no visibility into system state. The centralized thermostat failed to accommodate individual comfort needs, leading to frustration and repeated support calls.
No room-level temperature control or airflow adjustment
Invisible system state with no feedback indicators
Confusing adjustment process causing repeated app checks
No confirmation after changes creating system distrust
User Perspective
Rohan, 28
The Tech-Savvy Roommate
Lives in a shared apartment and expects quick, clear responses without needing
to double-check the system.
Pain Points
Bedroom too warm at night
Temperature conflicts with roommates
Wasted energy in empty rooms
Goals
Control bedroom temperature independently
See real-time system status
Reduce energy bills efficiently
Research Insights
Our research uncovered key behavioral patterns and expectations that informed our design strategy. Through interviews and usage analytics, we identified four critical areas where the current system was falling short of user needs.
01
Lack of Granular Control
Single-thermostat systems fail to accommodate different temperature preferences across rooms with varying sun exposure, occupancy patterns, and personal comfort needs.
02
Invisible System State
Users couldn't tell if the AC was actively cooling, in standby mode, or encountering issues—leading to repeated app checks and unnecessary support calls.
03
Delayed Feedback Loop
After adjusting temperature settings, users had no confirmation that their changes were registered, creating uncertainty and fundamental distrust in the system's responsiveness.
04
Energy Concerns
Many residents wanted to reduce cooling in unoccupied rooms to save energy but lacked the visibility and controls needed to implement selective room management strategies.
Quantitative Analysis
Survey data and usage analytics revealed the scale and impact of these pain points across our user base. The numbers painted a clear picture of widespread frustration with the current thermostat system.
User Behavior Breakdown
Repeated checks
Uncertain
Support calls
Temperature Adjustments Over Time
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
0
2
4
6
8
78%
checked app repeatedly
4.2x
avg app opens per change
81%
desired room control
User Flow
Mapping the journey from temperature discomfort to adjustment confirmation, highlighting critical decision points and feedback loops. This flow prioritizes speed and transparency at every step.
Information Architecture
Organizing the app structure to prioritize room-level controls while maintaining system-wide visibility and settings access. The hierarchy ensures quick access to the most common actions.
Final Experience
Room-Level Vent Control
Users can now control airflow to individual rooms through intuitive sliders. Each room displays current temperature, target settings, and vent position—giving residents precise control over their personal comfort zones. The interface makes it simple to adjust one room without affecting others.
Impact:
Reduces manual vent adjustments
Minimizes roommate conflict
Improves comfort control
Clear System Feedback
Real-time status indicators show exactly what the system is doing—whether it's actively cooling, in standby mode, or scheduling the next temperature change. Visual feedback confirms every adjustment instantly, eliminating the need for users to reopen the app to verify their changes took effect.
Impact:
Eliminates repeated app checking
Builds trust in the system
Improves clarity of actions
Mode Control Redesign
The mode selector was redesigned from a plain text list to color-coded, rounded buttons for each mode - Cool, Heat, Heat/Cool, and Off. The new visual layout is built directly into the app, making mode selection more intuitive and reducing cognitive load.
Impact:
Color coding improves quick recognition
More intuitive mode selection
Visual layout reduces confusion
Design Direction
Our design approach focused on two core principles that would guide every interface decision and interaction pattern. These principles ensured consistency while solving the fundamental problems users faced.
Enable room-level customization without increasing complexity
Provide clear system feedback to build user confidence
User Testing
We conducted usability testing with 12 participants across three residential buildings. Testing sessions focused on core tasks: adjusting room temperature, understanding system status, and controlling vent settings.
Before
→
After
89%
positive feedback
34%
fewer app re-checks
12s
faster task completion
"Finally, I can control my bedroom without affecting the living room. This is exactly what we needed."
— Participant 3
"The real-time feedback makes me trust the system. I know immediately when my changes take effect."
— Participant 7
"So much simpler than before. I adjusted the temperature on my first try without any confusion."
— Participant 11
Reflection
This project reinforced that users need trust through transparency, not just functionality. By prioritizing clear feedback and room-level control, we transformed frustration into empowerment.
The redesign proved that even complex systems serving shared environments can feel personal and intuitive. Moving forward, the focus is on scaling these principles while maintaining reliability and responsiveness.