Element A:
Problem Identification and Justification
Embedded Files
Element A
Element A
Element A is a compilation of all the research and analysis that justified our problem as a real problem faced by many that requires a solution. This Element contains the documentation and analyses required, and the survey conducted to justify the problem of lights being left on.
Problem Statement
Problem Statement
American homeowners frequently leave lights on in vacant rooms, resulting in unnecessary electricity consumption and higher bills. According to a Lutron Electronics survey (Who Left The Lights On Infographic - Lutron Electronics), in 2020 approximately 90% of American homeowners report that someone in their household habitually leaves lights on.
Executive Summary
Executive Summary
The multitude of responses that were accumulated during the survey collection portion was immensely helpful in determining critical points in the product’s preliminary phase. The most helpful and important information collected was that over three-fourths of the survey takers responded saying they have previously purchased an alternative, with another three-fourths saying they would purchase an alternative that required not rewiring, situating itself over existing switch plates. This information is helpful as this confirms the need and buy-ability of the future product. Another important aspect of this survey was the background or issue driven responses. The response of two-fifths of the respondents saying they leave their light on for around 4-6 hours and another two-fifths for 1-3 hours, along with three-fourths having already purchased an alternative means that despite one's lights being one for not too long of a time, consumers feel the need to purchase a product to save them energy in any form, for any amount of time. Finally, a key aspect that was defined in this survey collection relates to electrical bills. With a range of electrical bills presented, and more commonly $100-149 and $150-199 selected, this provides support as, when correlated with other question responses, can build a strong support as to why this product is essential and would save consumers money and hassle.
Market Analysis
Market Analysis
The target market for addressing unnecessary electricity consumption due to lights left on in vacant rooms primarily consists of American homeowners, a diverse demographic with various preferences and habits. Subgroups within this demographic can be identified based on factors like age, location, and income levels. Younger homeowners may prefer tech-savvy lighting solutions, while older homeowners might favor traditional options. Geographical variations come into play, with urban areas showing higher adoption rates for smart lighting, while rural regions may need more awareness. Income levels also affect priorities, with higher-income individuals more likely to invest in energy-efficient solutions. Homeowners universally desire energy efficiency, convenience, cost savings, and environmental responsibility. The potential customer base is substantial, with over 128 million households (US Census Bureau Quickfacts: United States) in the U.S. To estimate potential market share, capturing 5% of those interested in energy-efficient lighting solutions (6 million households) is plausible. However, actual market share depends on factors like competition, pricing, and marketing effectiveness. Thorough market research and competitive analysis are essential for a successful market entry strategy.
Survey Distribution
Survey Distribution
Social media stories (Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook)
Parent and Sibling distributing to friends
QR Code carried on bags during school day
Survey Analysis
Survey Analysis
Do you use built in lighting in your home? (i.e. light switch and over-head lighting)
While a simplistic question, the overwhelming majority of our respondents responding that they do use overhead lighting helps us to get a scale of our market. With 97.6% of respondents responding saying they use built-in lighting, it further confirms that our product will have a place in the current market.
2. When using a physical switch for your light, how long, on average, do you leave the switch on each day?
While most of our respondents replied by saying they left lights on for 4-6 hours, a very close second was 1-3 hours. Although respondents tend to leave their lights on for 1-6 per day, this is still a large amount of time when people could be saving energy. When the lights are left on for that amount of time, there is a good chance that a moderate portion of that time, the room was empty.
3. How likely are you to turn a light off when leaving the room empty?
The majority of people claim to be very likely to turn off their lights after leaving a vacant room, but adding the other options creates a new majority. This shows that we have a market for our product.
4. How do you control the lighting in your home?
This question gives us a scope of other types of lighting residents may use.
5. Do you pay your household's electrical bill?
This gives us a gauge of how many respondents pay their electrical bills which may sway them to be more likely to purchase our product.
6. On average, how much is your monthly electric bill?
From this question, we conclude that these numbers can be significantly brought down and energy can be saved from the invention of our product. With about half saying $100-$200 per month, our invention could be a long-term investment eventually saving consumers money.
7. Have you ever purchased an alternative to turning on and off your light switch?
We included this question to gauge how many people have already sought alternatives to this problem. With over 75% saying no, this means that many may be willing to attempt purchasing a solution or those who have purchased in the past may still be seeking a better alternative.
8. What type of alternative was this?
Through this open-ended follow up question, we were able to be provided with insight of the other alternatives on the market and their popularity. This helps us as we are able to see what systems many purchase, which then provides additional guidance as to what the current consumer would like in their system. By combining those features into our design, we can maximize the popularity and usability of our product, enabling a higher quality product.
9. Please explain your answer above. i.e. What product?
This question was a short answer that provided information on the alternatives respondents used in their own homes. While we did extensive research, this helped us learn more about unique solutions people utilized in their homes -- ones we did not include as specific options in our question.
10. If there was an option of a motion sensor placed over an existing light switch -- meaning no rewiring, would you consider it?
This question is crucial because it gives us a direct answer to whether previous people who have purchased alternative products would be willing to purchase our product. This shows us that we have a large market for our product and people do believe that they can benefit.
11. Why have you not purchased any alternatives?
This helps us gauge interest in our product, as our prime marketing aspect would be no rewiring or panel removal.
12. If there was an option of motion sensing for your light switch having to take off any panels or rewire, would you consider it?
With about 75% of respondents saying they would be willing to try an alternative product without wiring, this helps us to see that this is actually a problem people would be willing to purchase a solution for.
13. What price range would you consider reasonable for such alternative?
This gives a scope on how much a budget we will require and how much people would be willing to spend on our product.
14. What age group do you fall under?
This helps us link age to responses, showing any correlation that may arise between certain answers and the age of respondents.
15. How many individuals currently reside in your household?
While another simple question, this response percentage of 43.7% being 3-4 people in the household is helpful as this indicates how many people may be passing in and out of a room. In a busier home, there is more of a likelihood a person will be in a room longer, however, with less people in a house, there are more vacant rooms and more of a likelihood of leaving a light on, without anyone turning it off.
References
U.S. Census Bureau Quickfacts: United States. (n.d.). https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/US/HSD410221
Who left the lights on infographic - Lutron Electronics. (n.d.). https://www.lutron.com/en-US/general/Pages/Promos/WhoLeftTheLightsOnInfographic.aspx
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