Overview

The experience is easy, and best of all, the system offers valuable features that solve real problems. We really like it! Here’s a step-by-step summary of our improvement suggestions.

 
 
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Filter Install

Easy-peasy with a few enhancements:

  • Arrows to indicate which way the filter should be inserted into the HVAC slot
  • For the clip-on attachment, a directional cue for attaching the sensor
  • Assurance that the clip-on sensor won’t be sucked up into the HVAC
  • A smaller sensor would make slot insertion easier
  • Note in the instructions why there’s two sensor slots
  • Add a “do not remove” note on/beside the copper sticker to clarify its importance
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App Download & Set-Up

Easy enough, but little touches would be helpful:

  • Email verification: Tell us to use a personal email address, as corporate emails can block the verification email. A reminder to check our spam folders might be good too
  • Intro pages: Make the intro pages more educationally-focused
  • Password: Pre-filled password bubbles makes it seem like it doesn’t need to be filled in
  • Create Account vs. Log-in: Confusing. Perhaps headline Create Account?
  • Profile Questions: A few more would create greater feelings of trust & personalization
  • App Pairing: sometimes it takes two tries to get it right
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Filter Replacement

Easy as 1-2-3. Here are a few suggestions to make the process even easier:

  • Reminders at 25% and again at 10% is ideal, with the ability to adjust as desired
  • A bag for the old filter attached/enclosed in the new filter
  • A pullout tab for hard to reach insert slots
  • Offer best practices & replacement instructions that can be stuck on to our HVACs
  • A notification or some type of in-the-moment communication that reminds us to re-pair our phone to the sensor upon filter replacement
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App Features

The app is simple, well-laid out, and intriguing. In-app purchasing, filter life data, filter size info, and air quality are amazing features! Here are some suggestions:

  • Blank indoor AQ data is confusing, and the app shouldn’t be launched without this
  • Source info for the outdoor data would ensure trustworthiness
  • Trending indoor & outdoor AQ on the same graph would help us understand their relationship and give more space on the interface
  • Trend data beyond the past 12 hours would help us better manage our AQ
  • Remove PM data as it creates confusion
  • Offer a library for our various filter sizes
  • Provide the ability to monitor multiple filters via the app
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Branding

  • Message AQ first. The app has the power to build relationship and engagement in a category that lacks. Beyond HVAC efficacy, protecting in-home air quality is the catalyst for trust and connection and must headline communications.
  • Add “3M by Filtrete.” This creates the right combination of brand building for Filtrete with the strong positive equities of 3M. Today, Filtrete carries little equity and the on-pack placement of “3M” separate from “Filtrete” creates confusion.
  • Property managers & realtors make for powerful secondary target audiences. For property managers, the new filter system offers an easier way to purchase and manage air filters for multiple properties. For realtors, a new, more advanced filter system offers a new way to engage clients.
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Packaging

Clean and simple can be cleaner and simpler:

  • The iconography is helpful, but we’d bet we’d miss it in-store
  • What’s “1000 particles per million” mean?
  • Separate packages for the sensor and the filter boards might get missed
  • What if there’s a simple “to open” indicator that leads to the sensor slot?
  • The app feature needs to be more clearly conveyed, either via a Smartphone icon and/or a visual of the app
  • How about a visual of dirty air going in and clean air going out?
  • The filter itself feels sturdier and sleeker than other filters -- both marketable qualities
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Education

  • Confusion abounds as to when to replace filters, what the impact is, what our filter sizes are, and how to find our size in-store when we do remember them. We hope this app educates us once and for all.
  • There are more questions than answers, leading to skepticism. We want to know how the filter and app work, why all this is important, and how we can impact our home’s air quality, so that we don’t end up feeling like they’re just trying to get us to buy filters more than necessary.
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Speck

Speck has been a great addition! We love having a read on our in-home air quality, and the monitor provides a constant visual reminder. It has definitely made us more mindful of protecting our households' health through air quality management. Here are a few suggestions to make the experience better:

  • Ensure that the Speck + Filtrete app pairing process is easy and seamless; it’s currently hit or miss without explanation
  • Educate us on what each reading level really means, what causes changes in readings, and what actions we can take for low scores
  • If possible, launch the indoor air quality data with both the Speck monitor and the Filtrete app as dual options for us
  • Is there a way for the monitor size to be more inconspicuous?
  • Make the Speck monitor mobile from room to room without the need to hunt for plugs
  • Allow us to control the brightness of the monitor screen
  • Add a note to the instructions that informs us we must have the latest iOS
  • Down the road, consider ways to offer additional data, such as humidity levels, pollen count, room temperature, and even mold count and carbon monoxide readings
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