At times, innovation is as invisible as a housewarming during winter. Nevertheless, a company – called Electric Air, headed by ex-aeronautical and Tesla specialist Chris Mui – is introducing a fresh method of electrified heating and cooling. In partnership with design studio Blond, electric Air is simplifying the product journey through a minimal and straightforward design. Let’s explore how elevating Electric Air’s innovative system could change our thinking about home heating systems.
Electric Air: A Fresh and Trustworthy Brand
Electric Air’s brand identity, carefully crafted by Blond, embodies freshness and trustworthiness. Attention to minute details, such as kerning letters in the logotype, has resulted in an identity that reflects the company’s commitment to excellence. This branding strategy aims to foster confidence in customers, ensuring they feel comfortable and secure with their choices.
Sleek, Unobtrusive Hardware Design
Blond aimed to repackage typical “ugly” heating units with a sleek, discrete aesthetic. The metal fascia uses repeated stamped panels to reduce cost. Thoughtful labeling and layout ease repairs. It’s industrial design perfected.
The air handler functions similarly to a boiler, but it solely handles heating and cooling, not water. The condenser efficiently exchanges energy with the external air, utilizing a refrigerant and a compressor. The wall-mounted split A/C delivers the conditioned air into your home. In collaboration with Electric Air, Blond has re-envisioned these typically mundane heating and cooling systems. Their objective was to create a design that is sleek, accessible, and unobtrusive.
James Melia, Blond’s creative director, highlights that these systems, often deemed “ugly,” deserve more attention. Innovative design choices, such as a metal fascia made from nine repeated pieces that interlock, have been used to significantly cut costs.
Intuitive, Streamlined Thermostat and App
The Electric Air system is composed of four main components: the air handler, condenser, thermostat, and wall-mounted split A/C. These components are seamlessly integrated with a user-friendly app. The touchscreen thermostat monitors air quality and humidity, displaying only essential stats. The scheduling app intuitively simplifies temperature and system control. Blond stripped back complexity for an effortless user experience.
Strategic Use of Color and Brand Identity
Blue and red indicate heating and cooling while green denotes ideal temp. The identity exudes freshness and trust with refined details. Branding matches the straightforward product experience.
User-Centric Features of Electric Air’s System
Blond’s design approach prioritizes not just aesthetics but also user-friendliness. The touch-screen thermostat, for instance, features a built-in air quality monitor that measures PM2.5 particulate and CO2 levels. This initiates filtration and fresh air intake, ensuring not just comfort but also healthier living conditions. The thermostat also includes humidity monitoring and control capabilities.
Made For US Systems But Potential For UK
While designed for US furnace-based heating, Blond’s simplified Electric Air solution could come to the UK. As heat pumps gain adoption, the appetite for intuitive design grows.
Bottomline
Electric Air and Blond have joined forces to create a heating and cooling system that not only offers efficiency but also a refreshing approach to design and user experience. With this collaboration, Blond proves smart industrial design and UX can revolutionize even complex hardware like heating systems. Electric Air is rethinking home climate control from the ground up. While this system may not yet be available in the UK, it holds the promise of being a game-changer in the future of home heating. With its unobtrusive design, intuitive interface, and commitment to air quality, Electric Air is undoubtedly a name to watch in the ever-evolving world of home comfort.
