Concepts

One of the major problems I found with energy usage was people's unwillingness to switch things off when they leave the room.  Therefore a sensor that senses when you're using the appliance would work really well and not require you to change anything you're already doing.  But the problem with that is people need to be aware of whats going on and need to change what they're doing.  If everyone used this device for all appliances etc it would cut back on energy usuage but it doesn't teach people to change their habits.  It would have a screen to display how much money and energy they're saving but I don't think thats enough. Teaching people is one of the most important things this design needs to have.

Computers are the future, therefore this design works with that and is a computer application.  It would be for the usergroups, ranging from teenagers to adults.  Teenagers are going to be the next generation therefore need to be taught sooner rather than later and adults are the main group that pays energy bills therefore this is a good target market to work with.  This application teaches you about global warming and energy, it shows you you're household or businesses energy usage in different ways, allows you to compete against others, gives you points for good efficiency and allows you to use those points to buy everyday things. 

I think this concept would work the best to reduce peoples energy consumption as its working into the future, is a fun way of monitoring your energy, and it's proven that competition and rewards will convince people to change their behaviour.  The only problem is I will have to think of why companies would want to put items forward to be rewards for the users.  I will research into how flybuys companies are also rewarded.

This concept would be for the target market of children.  Its proven that you learn better when you're young so this would be a good group to teach early, so that they grow up with the knowledge of global warming and energy.  To make the learning interesting it would have to be a game.  This main aim of this game is to keep the earth alive by keeping your energy consumption down in a house that you can custom build.  This game would be a phone application. 

I think this is a good idea for teaching younger generations but as adults, teenagers and owners of houses are the biggest affenders it would be better to have them as a target market.