Empathise
Budget-constrained households and small businesses face fragmented advice, uncertain costs and location-specific building needs.
UCD Make A Difference // SDG 7
From empathy
to energy action
A human-centred prototype designed to make clean-energy decisions clearer and more achievable for Irish households and small businesses.
Test the prototypeDesign thinking evidence
Five stages, one purpose
Define
How might we help people identify affordable, locally relevant energy improvements without demanding expert knowledge?
Ideate
A single guided assessment that translates bills, buildings and constraints into a ranked action plan.
Prototype
This working no-account planner tests transparent rules, county climate bands, affordability and clear next steps.
Test
Observe task completion, recommendation relevance, confidence and whether users intend to take the first action.
Stakeholders
Who this serves
Primary
Irish households and small businesses, particularly people constrained by budget, tenancy or limited energy knowledge.
Secondary
SEAI, local authorities, community energy groups, advisors, auditors and registered contractors.
Success criteria
What we will measure
- 01Assessment completion without assistance
- 02Perceived relevance of the top recommendation
- 03Confidence in taking the next step
- 04Affordability of the first action
- 05Intended and, later, measured energy action
Evidence base
Irish sources, visible assumptions
The prototype uses broad, indicative assumptions grounded in official sources. Every result remains a starting point—not a grant decision or professional audit.